Policy Text
SAFETY BELTS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 078 REVISED: 04/04/18
REPLACES: SOP Use of Seatbelts 21-06.1 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev.03/01/12_____
OBJECTIVE: To minimize the possibility of death or injury as a result of accidents involving
drivers and passengers in Department vehicles.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to provide guidelines
for the use of safety belts.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. GENERAL:
A. There is available evidence indicating that the use of safety belts has a significant effect
in reducing the number of deaths and the severity of injuries resulting from traffic
crashes, in which the driver of passenger(s) fail to properly utilize safety belts.
II. PROCEDURES:
A. All persons, except where specifically exempted, shall use the safety belt restraining
system while operating or riding as a passenger in a Departmental vehicle while the
vehicle is in motion.
B. There are circumstances in which use of safety belt restraining systems may hamper
efficient conduct of police functions. Supervisors may grant exemption of this policy for
specific situations in which they deem efficiency of operation outweighs the safety
benefit.