Policy Text
Policy
705Fremont Police Department
Vehicle Use
705.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a system of accountability to ensure department vehicles
are used appropriately. This policy provides guidelines for on- and off-duty use of department
vehicles and shall not be construed to create or imply any contractual obligation by the City of
Fremont to provide assigned take-home vehicles.
Additional guidelines for member responsibilities when transporting persons in custody may be
found in the Transporting Persons in Custody Policy.
705.2 POLICY
The Fremont Police Department provides vehicles for department-related business and may
assign patrol and unmarked vehicles based on a determination of operational efficiency, economic
impact to the Department, requirements for tactical deployments, and other considerations.
705.3 USE OF VEHICLES
705.3.1 SHIFT ASSIGNED VEHICLES
The Equipment Room personnel shall ensure a copy of the shift assignment roster indicating
member assignments and vehicle numbers is completed for each shift and retained in accordance
with the established records retention schedule. If a member exchanges vehicles during his/her
shift, the new vehicle number shall be documented on the vehicle assignment log in the equipment
room.
705.3.2 INSPECTIONS
Members shall be responsible for inspecting the interior and exterior of any assigned vehicle
before taking the vehicle into service and at the conclusion of their shifts. Any previously
unreported damage, mechanical problems, unauthorized contents or other problems with the
vehicle shall be promptly reported to a supervisor and documented as appropriate.
When the vehicle is equipped with the Hardwire Ballistic Window Panels, the ballistic panels shall
be left in the operating position at all times. Occupants may only remove the ballistic panel during
emergency situations such as extrication. Damage to the panel shall also be reported immediately
to the Equipment Room. If an officer checks out a vehicle and finds that a ballistic panel has
been removed, the vehicle shall be returned to the Equipment Room unless a supervisor deems
it necessary to be deployed due to a vehicle shortage.
The interior of any vehicle that has been used to transport any person other than a member of
this department should be inspected prior to placing another person in the vehicle and again after
the person is removed. This is to ensure that unauthorized or personal items have not been left
in the vehicle.
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When transporting any suspect, prisoner or arrestee, the transporting member shall search all
areas of the vehicle that are accessible by the person before and after that person is transported.
All department vehicles are subject to inspection and/or search at any time by a supervisor without
notice and without cause. No member assigned to or operating such vehicle shall be entitled to
any expectation of privacy with respect to the vehicle or its contents.
705.3.3 OTHER USE OF VEHICLES
Members utilizing a vehicle for any purpose other than their normally assigned duties or
normal vehicle assignment (e.g., transportation to training, community event) shall first notify the
supervisor. A notation will be made in the equipment room control log indicating the member's
name and vehicle number.
This subsection does not apply to those who are assigned to vehicle transportation duties to and
from the maintenance yard or carwash.
705.3.4 SECURITY AND UNATTENDED VEHICLES
When a vehicle is equipped with ananti-theft device, the device shall be left activated at all times
except when the vehicle is out of commission for maintenance or other services where the driver
should not have knowledge of how the device operates. During these situations only (tow truck
driver, mechanic, car wash, etc.), the officer may place the device in the valet mode. The device
must be activated again once the vehicle is back in service.
Unattended vehicles should be locked and secured at all times. No key should be left in the vehicle
except when it is necessary that the vehicle be left running (e.g., continued activation of emergency
lights, canine safety, equipment charging). Officers who exit a vehicle rapidly in an emergency
situation or to engage in a foot pursuit must carefully balance the need to exit the vehicle quickly
with the need to secure the vehicle. Vehicles should not be left idling for extended periods of time
(more than 5 minutes), including on the police campus, unless required for operational readiness.
Members shall ensure all weapons are secured while the vehicle is unattended.
705.3.5 MDC
Members assigned to vehicles equipped with a Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) shall log onto
the MDC with the required information when going on-duty. If the vehicle is not equipped with a
working MDC, the member shall notify Communications Unit. Use of the MDC is governed by the
Mobile Digital Computer Use Policy.
705.3.6 VEHICLE LOCATION SYSTEM
Patrol and other vehicles, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, may be equipped with a system
designed to track the vehicle’s location. While the system may provide vehicle location and
other information, members are not relieved of their responsibility to use required communication
practices to report their location and status.
Members shall not make any unauthorized modifications to the system. At the start of each shift,
members shall verify that the system is on and report any malfunctions to their supervisor. If the
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member finds that the system is not functioning properly at any time during the shift, he/she should
exchange the vehicle for one