Policy Text
Procedure Number: E9
Issued: 05/86
Revised: 02/06
Revised: 12/12
TRANSPORTATION OF OFFENDERS
AUTHORITY
Related Probation Officer Procedures:
C6 Temporary Releases From a Juvenile Detention Facility
E3 Arrest of Juveniles and Adults
E7 Radio Procedures
F2 Continuum of Force
I1 Interstate Compact on Juveniles
Related Probation Officer Policies:
IV31 County/Cellular Telephones
IV32 Department (County) Vehicles
GENERAL TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES
When in the course of performing duties it becomes necessary to transport offenders, probation
officers shall carefully plan the circumstances of the transportation including assessing the
potential for problems when dealing with unstable or dangerous offenders, the securing of an
appropriate vehicle for transportation, and acquiring additional staff assistance as appropriate.
Any probation officer transporting offenders must have a valid California or Nevada driver’s
license in his/her possession. Further, probation officers and persons being transported shall
always utilize seat belts. Lastly, the transportation vehicle shall be a County vehicle, licensed
and maintained by the County. Probation officers are not authorized to use private vehicles to
transport offenders. While using a department vehicle, the probation officer shall follow all
traffic and parking laws during the pick-up and transportation of offenders.
Prior to transporting an offender, the County vehicle shall be checked for fuel level and filled
whenever the fuel level is one-half full or less. The vehicle should also be checked for potential
safety hazards such as low tire pressure, etc. Whether transporting an in custody or out of
custody offender, the interior of the vehicle must be searched for contraband and damage prior to
the transport, and searched again upon return after the offender has been removed from the
vehicle. If contraband or damage is found after the offender has been transported, a Probable
Cause and Probation Violation Incident Report (form #256), a Post Release Community
Supervision Incident Report (form #340), or a Mandatory Community Supervision Incident
Report (form #339), whichever is appropriate, must be written by the probation officer and
submitted to his/her supervisor as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the following
workday. If contraband or damage is found prior to transporting an offender, the probation
officer must determine if driving the vehicle remains appropriate, and whichever report is
appropriate, as listed above, is completed as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the
following workday, and submitted to the supervisor.
A probation officer shall not transport an offender of the opposite gender alone. Arrangements
must be made for the assistance of another officer of the same gender as the offender to
accompany them. If such assistance is unavailable, two male officers can transport a female
offender, or two female officers can transport a male offender, following supervisory approval.
The only exception is a probation officer may transport a group of minors who are out of
custody, such as a prison tour. Any questions about this exception should be presented to the
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