MOTORCYCLE UNIT 06-08

FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 06-08 Page 1 TITLE: Motorcycle Patrol NUMBER: 06-08 EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 01, 2001 REVISED: OCTOBER 30 , 2015 STANDARDS: CFA 17.02 ____________________________________ PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for the management and usage of the Depart ment’s Motorcycle Unit(s) in field operations SCOPE: All departmental personnel. POLICY : It shall be the policy of the Florida City Police Department to use police motorcycle teams as an additional supportive tool to more effectively attain the primary g oal of traffic enforcement, and the ancillary goal of crime prevention by deterrence, offender apprehension, and narcotic detection and confiscation. DEFINITIONS: UPD: Uniform Patrol Division. PROCEDURES: Duties and Responsibilities: The Motorcycle Un it is a specialized unit assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division (UPD). Unit members shall properly handle any situation requiring police response directed to their attention. The unit is especially concerned with preservation of life and property throug h the prevention of vehicular accidents and enforcement of all state, county and municipal traffic laws. A. The motorcycle units’ primary responsibilities will be enforcement of hazardous moving violations and the handling of accidents and other traffic -related matters. B. The motor units’ immediate supervisor will be their Shift Commander, Uniform Patrol, to whom they will be responsible for all logs, special reports and specific assignments. C. The motor units will be public relations conscious at all times, and keep their uniforms, equipment and motorcycles in an exemplary manner. D. The motor units will be operated in a safe and cautious manner at all times. E. The motor units will not be assigned to any “3” signals. Unless a “3-17” is received whi le the motor units are on duty. F. The motor units will not be used when the pavement is wet or in any adverse weather conditions. Uniform: The Unit uniform shall be worn at all times while operating the motorcycle, except during authorized training ses sions and/or when authorized by a supervisor. FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 06-08 Page 2 A. The motorcycle helmet shall be worn with chinstrap properly secured while the motorcycle is in operation. B. Civilian attire will not be worn while operating the motorcycle, unless authorized by a superv isor. C. Issued leather and issued service weapon will be worn while operating the motorcycle. Issuance, Care, and Storage of the Motorcycle: A. Unit officers shall be assigned an individual motorcycle to be driven during duty hours. B. In circumstance s when a motorcycle is driven to an officer's residence, the motorcycle will be stored in the most secure, weatherproof area available within the curtilage of the officer's residence. If the officer has a garage, it is recommended he store the motorcycle i n the garage. C. Members shall not perform any type of mechanical or maintenance work on any police motorcycle. Members shall not make modifications or additions to any police motorcycle without the approval of the Chief of Police. D. Unit members shall advise the Fleet Manager), in writing, of maintenance problems involving their assigned motorcycle. Unit members shall keep their scheduled service appointments. E. Unit members shall keep their assigned motorcycles clean and polished at all times. F. The Patrol Serge ant/Corporal will conduct monthly motorcycle inspections to ensure proper maintenance of assigned motorcycles. G. Unit members shall carry the following equipment and supplies on the motorcycle: 1. Rain gear; 2. Flashlight; 3. Moving an d parking citation booklets, reports, and forms; 4. Whistle; 5. Speed RADAR; 6. Traffic Safety Vest; H. Unit members are responsible for all issued speed measuring devices. Each member shall ensure that the units they utilize have met current calibrati on standards and that the current calibration certificate is filed in the Records Section. Officers will obtain a "true copy" of the calibration certification from the Records Section as documentation in court proceedings. FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 06-08 Page 3 Motorcycle Unit Rules an d Regulations: A. Unit members will not conduct patrol duties on motorcycles during inclement weather. Unit members shall take note of impending inclement weather and respond to the station. After notifying the on -duty supervisor, the unit member will tak e a spare marked police vehicle and resume his/her duties. B. Unit members will patrol singularly or in pairs, as assigned by a supervisor. C. While operating a motorcycle, Unit members shall not be assigned to any call on a code "3" (lights and siren); unit members shall not respond to any call on a code "3" without supervisory authorization. Unit members may engage in felony related pursuits, but only until assistance can be obtained from a marked, patrol vehicle; the motorcycle officer deems the pursui t unsafe; or a supervisor orders the pursuit abandoned. Emergency and Pursuit Operation of Police Vehicles. D. Motorcycles will not be used in riot control. E. Motorcycles are not to