Policy Text
Policy
703Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVehicle Use - 1Vehicle Use
703.1 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 Garden Grove to provide assigned take-home vehicles.
703.2 POLICY
The Garden Grove 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.
703.3 USE OF VEHICLES
703.3.1 SHIFT ASSIGNED VEHICLES
The supervisor 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 the member's shift, the new
vehicle number shall be documented on the roster.
703.3.2 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.
703.3.3 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.
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.
When transporting any person in custody, 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.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Vehicle Use
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVehicle Use - 2Every employee shall inspect their assigned police vehicle at the beginning of their shift or prior
to the vehicle's use, and at the end of their shift. This inspection shall include an inventory of
equipment (if applicable), unreported damage, and the observation of any contraband/evidentiary
item(s) left in the vehicle. Any equipment used during the shift must be replaced prior to going
off-duty.
Inspection of unmarked vehicles
If an employee discovers unreported damage to an unmarked vehicle, the damage will be
documented on an intra-departmental memorandum directed to the Chief of Police via the
employee's chain of command.
If contraband or other item of evidence is located in the vehicle, the on-duty sergeant or Division
Lieutenant will be notified immediately and the employee will book the item into the Property and
Evidence.
Inspection of marked vehicles
If any unreported damage is noted, an on-duty supervisor or the Division Lieutenant shall verify
the damage/missing equipment and make an entry into the Master Vehicle Damage Log located in
the sergeant's office. The verifying supervisor shall take immediate investigative steps to identify
the responsible person and take appropriate action to correct the problem. The supervisory action
must be documented appropriately.
The employee shall also complete an intra-departmental memorandum documenting the
unreported damage or missing equipment. The memorandum will be directed to the Chief of Police
via the employee's chain of command.
703.3.4 SECURITY AND UNATTENDED VEHICLES
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.
Members shall ensure all weapons are secured while the vehicle is unattended.
703.3.5 MCT
Members assigned to vehicles equipped with a Mobile Computer Terminal (MCT) shall log onto
the MCT with the required information when going on-duty. If the vehicle is not equipped with a
working MCT, the member shall notify Communications. Use of the MCT is governed by the Mobile
Computer Terminal Use Policy.
703.3.6 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
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Vehicle Use
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVehicle Use - 3other 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
member