Policy Text
Policy
511Fremont Police Department
Disabled Vehicles
511.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Vehicle Code § 20018 provides that all law enforcement agencies having responsibility for traffic
enforcement may develop and adopt a written policy to provide assistance to motorists in disabled
vehicles within their primary jurisdiction.
511.2 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY
When an on-duty officer observes a disabled vehicle on the roadway, the officer should make a
reasonable effort to provide assistance. If that officer is assigned to a call of higher priority, the
dispatcher should be advised of the location of the disabled vehicle and the need for assistance.
The dispatcher should then assign another available officer to respond for assistance as soon
as practical.
511.3 EXTENT OF ASSISTANCE
In most cases, a disabled motorist will require assistance. After arrangements for assistance are
made, continued involvement by department personnel will be contingent on the time of day, the
location, the availability of departmental resources, and the vulnerability of the disabled motorist.
Officers and Community Service Officers are reminded:
(a)We are not authorized to jump start private vehicles.
(b)Only vehicles equipped with push bumpers are authorized to be used to push another
vehicle.
(c)We are not authorized to push vehicles by hand.
511.3.1 MECHANICAL REPAIRS
Department personnel shall not make mechanical repairs to a disabled vehicle. The use of push
bumpers to relocate vehicles to a position of safety is not considered a mechanical repair.
511.3.2 USE OF PUSH BUMPERS ON C.S.O. VEHICLES
The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines for the pushing of another vehicle with a police
vehicle consistent with use of vehicles equipped with push bumpers to move stalled or disabled
vehicles from a hazardous location to a place of safety.
The pushing of a vehicle will be undertaken only for the purpose of moving stalled or disabled
vehicles from a hazardous location to a place of safety in the shortest possible distance.
(a)Warning (amber) lights shall be activated whenever a vehicle is being pushed.
(b)No attempt to push a vehicle should be undertaken without the concurrence of the
operator or registered owner, unless the operator or registered owner is incapacitated
or has left the scene.
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Fremont Police Department
Disabled Vehicles
(c)Whenever a vehicle is being pushed, there is to be a driver operating the disabled
vehicle.
(d)Police vehicles without push bumpers are not to be used to push another vehicle.
(e)Police vehicles are not to be used to push another vehicle in an attempt to start it.
(f)No attempt shall be made to push a vehicle which has been damaged or involved in a
traffic collision and where the damage would interfere with unobstructed movement,
or further damage could occur; e.g., wheel bent, fender rubbing, rear bumper bent or
knocked loose, no rear bumper, etc.
(g)When pushing another vehicle, a great deal of caution shall be exercised at all times.
(h)Whenever a vehicle is pushed, it shall be documented in the police report - No
Exceptions.
511.3.3 RELOCATION OF DISABLED MOTORIST
The relocation of a disabled motorist should only occur with the person’s consent and should be
suggested when conditions reasonably indicate that immediate movement is necessary to mitigate
a potential hazard. The department member may stay with the disabled motorist or transport him/
her to a safe area to await pickup.
511.3.4 RELOCATION OF DISABLED VEHICLES
The relocation of disabled vehicles by members of this department by pushing or pulling a vehicle
should only occur when the conditions reasonably indicate that immediate movement is necessary
to reduce a hazard presented by the disabled vehicle.
511.4 PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS POLICY
This written policy is available upon request.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/06/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentDisabled Vehicles - 2