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22.1 4 TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Page 1 of 28 EDGEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER # 22. 14 TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Revision Date: April 13 , 2023 The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures for all aspects of traffic operations. This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. Scope II. General III. Traffic Enforcement Guidelines IV. Traffic Crash Procedures V. Vehicle Escorts VI. Traffic Direction and Control VII. Traffic Citation Accountability I. SCOPE A. Traffic is a major part of the everyday duties for officers of the Edgewood Police Department . This directive shall provide direction for officers with regards to traffic stops, traffic crashes and other traffic related issues. B. The Edgewood Police Department shall not utilize a “quota system” as a means of encouraging officers to issue citations. There shall be no “quota system” imposed or implied or any other procedure by which an officer is required to cite a specific or minimum number of motorists during a specified time period. C. It shall be the policy of the department to enforce the traffic laws in a uniform and consistent manner without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national or economic origin. D. The responsibility of law enforcement personnel to investigate and report mo tor vehicle crashes is well established by both law and custom. Crash investigation is a necessary element of the department ’s duty to preserve and protect life and property by documenting the nature and causes of vehicles crashes. E. Impaired drivers pre sent an inordinate risk to the public. Department personnel shall make a conce rted effort to protect drivers traveling within the City of Edgewood through the vigorous enforcement and prosecution of impaired drivers. II. GENERAL 22.1 4 TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Page 2 of 28 A. A traffic stop may be the only contact between the citizens and the officers of the Edgewood Police Department and therefore may have a major influen ce on community relations. 1. Citations shall be comp leted in accordance with D.H.S.M.V. Uniform Traffic Citation Procedures Manual . 2. The violator must be provided his/her copy of the citation . a. The citation must be signed by the officer . b. All required information must be completed . B. Officers shall use caution when conducting traffic stops . C. Florida Statute 316.640 authorizes and requires municipal police departments to enforce state and local traffic laws within their respective jurisdi ctions. All sworn officers are authorized and shall enforce traffic laws. D. No officer shall issue a citation or make an arrest without probable cause to believe that a law violation has occurred. Dispositions for traffic stops include: 1. Verbal warni ng 2. Written Warning 3. Issuance of a Florida Uniform Traffic 4. Arrest E. Officers shall consider the following guidelines in deciding whether to issue a citation: 1. Weather conditions 2. Traffic conditions and volume 3. Traffic crash histor y 4. Roadway conditions 5. Citizen complaints F. Officers shall actively and vigorously enforce child and adult restraint violations . G. Citations shall be completed in accordance with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Uniform Traffic Citation Procedures manual. 1. Officers shall be trained on the proper issuance of a citation in accordance with the directives set forth in the manual. 2. Officers shall receive annual in -service training on the proper issuance of a citation. 3. A copy of the manual shall be available electronically . 4. Warning tickets shall be completed in accordance with department policy . H. All unmarked or unconventional vehicles used for traffic enforcement shall be equipped with emergency lighting equipment and audible devices in accordance with Florida State Statutes. I. Plain -clothes officers may conduct traffic stops but shall be aware of a violator’s possible concerns about being stopped by an unmarked vehicle and non - uniformed officer. 1. Officers in plain clothes shall clearly identify themselves to the violator . 22.1 4 TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Page 3 of 28 2. Should a violator display any reservations as to the officer’s identity the plain -clothes officer shall immediately summon a marked patrol vehicle and uniformed officer f or assistance . J. The towing of all vehicles shall be documented by us ing the ARIES program (also known as Auto Return). The following information shall be provided: 1. Date and time of the tow . 2. Location to which the vehicle is towed to and from . 3. Name of the officer initiating the tow . 4. Reason for the tow . 5. Name of the towing service ( Wrecker Company ) utilized to tow the vehicle . 6. Notification or attempts to notify the registered owner . 7. Inventory or contents of the vehicle . 8. Placing and/or removal of any holds on the vehicle . a. In the event a hold needs to be placed on a vehicle, the officer shall call their immediate supervisor for approval. Any supervisor, the Chief of Police or his designee has the authority to place a hold on a vehicle for circumstances ranging from but not limited to vehicles that have any evidentiary value and/or are used in the commission of a felony. b. Removal of vehicle holds shall be done by the Chief of Police or his designee. 9. NCIC/FCIC infor mation shall be checked on all vehicles towed and the information entered on the form. a. The teletype operators then enter the information