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Date: 09/28/92 Revision: 05/28/24 Reviewed: 05/28/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERAT ING PROCED URE Number: GEN 400.0 0 Page: 1 of 4 SUBJECT: ASSIGNMENT OF SHERIFF ’S OFFICE VEHICLES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define guidelines for the proper assignment and use of Sheriff's Office vehicles. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. III. DISCUSSION : The Sheriff' s Office assigns vehicles to Sheriff's Office personnel based on providing optimal service to our community at the lowest operating cost through proper management of fleet resources. A. Based on this philosophy, Sheriff's Office vehicle assignment objecti ves are as follows: 1. The optimal safety and service to the community. 2. The optimal safety for Sheriff's Office employees. 3. The efficiency of service to the community. 4. The efficient and cost-effective operation of the fleet, as it relates to Sheriff's Office operations. 5. The optimal use of all Sheriff's Office vehicles. 6. Prolonging vehicle life. 7. User accountability. IV. DEFINITIONS : A. Administrative Vehicle - A motor vehicle that bears no official Sheriff's Office insignia and i s not equipped with optional manufacturer's law enforcement performance components. B. Assigned Vehicle - A motor vehicle owned or leased by the Sheriff's Office that is specifically assigned to one individual for use in routine duty assignments. * C. Marked Patrol Vehicle - A Sheriff's Office vehicle with approved graphics as prescribed by Florida Statute , and has been designated for routine patrol enforcement. * D. New Vehicle - An assigned Sheriff's Office vehicle with less than 2,500 miles . E. Prev iously Owned Vehicle - A one -year old, low mileage, Sheriff’s Office vehicle purchased from a dealer that is still under warranty. F. Service Vehicle - A Sheriff’s Office sedan, van , or truck assigned to non -sworn perso nnel and used to deliver parts, inv entory , or office supplies to various Sheriff’s Office locations. G. Sheriff's Office Vehicle - A motor vehicle owned or leased by the Sheriff's Office. H. Unmarked Sheriff’s Office Vehicle - A Sheriff's Office vehicle that does not bear official Sheri ff's Office insignia or colors. GEN 400.00 05/28/24 Page 2 of 4 V. PROCEDURE : A. Take -Home Vehicle Assignment Criteria: 1. The assignment of take -home vehicles under the plan outlined in this standard operating procedure is based on the following criteria: a. This procedure facilitat es a method to properly equip authorized sworn personnel for the execution of 24 -hour enforcement and public responsibilities. It provides for off -duty use of Sheriff's Office vehicles by certified law enforcement deputies because they augment on -duty deputies. Augmentation occurs when deputies are off-duty in their Sheriff's vehicles . Off-duty deputies , while operating their assigned vehicle , shall monitor the appropriate active voice frequency of the district or closest district to their location and be able to respond and /or assist on-duty deputies. As a result, more deput ies are immediately available to protect the community. Off-duty deputies shall provide aid to stranded motorists. Additionally, deputies shall be available for immediate call -out from their homes. This is especially important during periods of civil unrest or natural disasters. b. This procedure is meant to provide the Sheriff's Office with optimum efficiency and cost effectiveness. Detention deputies and civilians may be assig ned a take -home vehicle provided t he following criteria are met: (1) The detention deputy or civilian is called out for overtime to the extent that having an assigned Sheriff’s Office vehicle is more cost effective than paying the employee mileage for use of a personal vehicle. (2) The detention deputy or civilian frequently gets called out for overtime and must have a specially equipped vehicle to complete the call -out task. (3) The detention deputy or civilian has a job assignment that requires daily tra vel from his/her home to other loc ations prior to reporting for duty at his /her assigned workstation . (4) The detention deputy or civilian frequently gets called out to situations that require a Sheriff's Office vehicle , and time is critical to preserve li fe and/or Sheriff's Office property. (5) The take -home vehicle is approved specifically by the Sheriff. 2. In accordance with vehicle assignment objectives, retiring employees shall relinquish any Sheriff's Office vehicle in their custody to Fleet Operat ions prior to utilization of leave accruals in excess of two weeks leading up to their last scheduled date of employment. Likewise, retiring employees shall relinquish any Sheriff's Office vehicle in their custody to Fleet Operations prior to utilization of leave accruals in excess of two weeks, even if they plan to return to work prior to the last scheduled date of employment. VI. VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES : A. General Policy - Unless otherwise directed by the Sheriff , or exempted by provisions of this standard operating procedure, Sheriff's Office vehicles shall be assigned by the Manager of the Fleet Operations Section as follows: 05