FremontPD_703_Vehicle_Maintenance_3209022

Policy 703Fremont Police Department Vehicle Maintenance 703.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE Employees are responsible for assisting in maintaining Department vehicles so that they are properly equipped, properly maintained, properly refueled and present a clean appearance. 703.2 DEFECTIVE VEHICLES When a department vehicle becomes inoperative or in need of repair that affects the safety of the vehicle, that vehicle shall be removed from service for repair. Proper documentation shall be promptly completed by the employee who first becomes aware of the defective condition, describing the correction needed. The paperwork shall be promptly forwarded to vehicle maintenance for repair. 703.2.1 DELIVERY OF POLICE VEHICLES TO AUTO MAINTENANCE SHOP To provide for prompt repair and maintenance of police vehicles with a minimum disruption of police services, the following procedure should be followed when delivering vehicles to the auto shop for maintenance or repair that is outside the scope of the in-house auto mechanic. The following procedure is to be followed in the delivery of police vehicles to the Auto Maintenance Shop: (a)Daily, the Police Department Auto Mechanic or Equipment Room Supervisor will determine which vehicles require repairs or preventive maintenance. (b)All vehicles determined to require repairs or preventive maintenance shall be inspected, by the transport driver, for firearms (shotguns, rifles, etc.) and other munitions (diversionary devices, gas grenades, etc.) prior to transport. If firearms or munitions are found to be in the vehicle, including the trunk, they shall be removed and secured. Only a range instructor, a SWAT officer, or other personnel trained and authorized for the use and handling of the particular firearms or munitions, may secure them. If the transport driver is not trained or authorized, appropriate personnel shall be requested to assist. No vehicle shall be transported for repairs or maintenance without prior inspection, removal and secured storage of firearms and munitions found in that vehicle. (c)If it is determined that vehicles needing repairs cannot be driven to the auto maintenance shop, the auto maintenance supervisor will be advised via telephone, and he will determine how vehicles will be delivered to the shop or how necessary repairs will be made. (d)Police Equipment Room personnel shall deliver at least one vehicle to the shop by 0900 hours. 1.If there is any question as to the type of malfunction of a vehicle, e.g., transmission, oil pump, water pump, brakes, etc., the vehicle is not to be driven Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/06/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentVehicle Maintenance - 1 Fremont Police Department Vehicle Maintenance by Police personnel, and Auto Shop personnel will be responsible for towing or driving the vehicle to the shop. 2.If a police vehicle needs to be towed at a time when the Auto Maintenance Shop is closed, a contract tow will be used. Usually the vehicle should be delivered to the Maintenance Yard, not the Police parking lot. 3.No vehicle is to be scheduled for repairs or maintenance unless a Vehicle Complaint Form has been prepared. Keys of the disabled vehicle shall be placed in the Equipment Room. 4.Personnel requesting repairs will ensure that the Vehicle Complaint Form is completely filled out, so that Auto Shop personnel can more readily identify the problem. (e)Whenever possible, all completed vehicles will be returned to the Police Department prior to swing shift start time. 1.Vehicles returned will be parked in their assigned space per the Vehicle Use Policy § 706, and the keys will be placed in the Equipment Room. (f)Watch Commanders may coordinate and assign personnel to deliver and return vehicles from the shop when deemed appropriate due to the number of disabled vehicles or special circumstances requiring the emergency repair of vehicles. 703.2.2 REMOVAL OF WEAPONS All firearms, weapons and control devices shall be removed from a vehicle and properly secured in the department armory prior to the vehicle being released for maintenance, service or repair. 703.2.3 DAMAGE OR POOR PERFORMANCE Vehicles that may have been damaged, or perform poorly shall be removed from service for inspections and repairs as soon as practicable. 703.3 VEHICLE EQUIPMENT Certain items shall be maintained in all department vehicles for emergency purposes and to perform routine duties. 703.3.1 PATROL VEHICLES Officers shall inspect the patrol vehicle at the beginning of the shift and ensure that the following equipment, at a minimum, is present in the vehicle: •20 emergency road flares •2 sticks yellow crayon or chalk •1 roll crime scene barricade tape •1 Ambu® resuscitator Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/06/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentVehicle Maintenance - 2 Fremont Police Department Vehicle Maintenance •1 trauma kit •1 emergency blanket •1 sharps container •1 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Handbook •1 fire extinguisher, charged •1 WRAP restraint device 703.3.2 UNMARKED VEHICLES An employee driving unmarked department vehicles shall ensure that the minimum following equipment is present in the vehicle: •20 emergency road flares •1 roll crime scene barricade tape •1 Ambu® resuscitator •1 emergency blanket •1 fire extinguisher, charged •1 trauma kit 703.4 VEHICLE REFUELING Absent emergency conditions or supervisor approval, officers driving patrol vehicles shall not place a vehicle in service that has less than one-quarter tank of fuel. Vehicles shall only be refueled at the authorized