Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 410 – Motorist Assistance / Traffic Control
Page 1 of 7 TITLE: MOTORIST ASSISTANCE / TRAFFIC CONTROL 410
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 12/02/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION CAPTAIN
CFA STANDARDS: 18.07, 18.12 (A-B)
410.01 Stranded Motorists 410.07 Officer Alerts
410.02 Mechanical Assistance and Towing 410.08 Traffic Direction and Control
410.03 Recommending Tow Service 410.09 Traffic Control
410.04 Emergency Assistance and Escorts 410.10 Hand and Whistle Signals
410.05 Lockouts 410.11 High Visibility Clothing
410.06 Abandoned Disabled Vehicles 410.12 Additional Equipment
Policy: Officers of the Kissimmee Police Department shall offer reasonable assistance to motorists
who appear in need of aid. Stranded motorists are frequently exposed to various hazards and may
potentially affect other motorists using the roadway. Officers shall be particularly alert to motorists
in need of assistance at night or inclement weather, when hazards are significantly increased.
Whenever possible (consistent with the prevailing necessity to apprehend violators and respond to
priority calls or assignment s), officers shall stop and offer aid to all motorists who appear in need
of assistance.
410.01 Stranded Motorists: Employees shall provide aid to persons stranded on roadways to
include:
a. Protecting inoperable or disabled vehicles with police vehicles, flares or other traffic
control devices until the vehicle can be safely removed from the roadway;
b. Contacting a wrecker as ou tlined in General Order 434 – Wrecker Service Qualifications
and Tow Rotation List Guidelines ; and
c. Contacting another person or family member to assist the stranded motorist.
Employees shall provide emergency assistance to motorists when appropriate to include:
a. Protecting crash scenes as outlined in the General Order 425 – Traffic Crash
Investigations ;
b. Summoning the Kissimmee Fire Department for vehicle fires; and
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 410 – Motorist Assistance / Traffic Control
Page 2 of 7 c. Removing inoperable vehicles from the flow of traffic when necessary.
If the disabled vehicle is a traffic hazard, the officer should stay with the motorist and make every
effort to protect the vehicle and occupants, warn the motoring public of the hazard, and r emove
the vehicle to a safe location, as quickly as possible.
Employees are authorized to manually push disabled vehicles from the roadway as long as it is
reasonable to assume the task can be accomplished without injury to the officer or other persons
in the immediate area. Police vehicles shall not be used to push or pull any vehicles.
If the vehicle is not a traffic hazard and help is enroute, the officer may leave the motorist alone
when, and if, it is reasonable to assume that the motorist shall be safe at that time and at that
location.
Employees shall immediately report any hazardous roadway conditions to include the following:
a. Debris such as gravel or vehicle parts;
b. Roadway defects;
c. Damaged or malfunctioning traffic control devices; and
d. Fluids such as oil, transmission fluids, grease, etc.
Employees shall immediately report any hazardous materials spill and shall assist in the control
and containment of the spill as approp riate. Employees encountering a hazardous materials spill
shall:
a. Confirm that the Kissimmee Fire Department is notified to respond to the scene;
b. Attempt to make a preliminary identification of the spill by observing any vehicle placards
from a safe dist ance;
c. Keep persons a minimum of 500 feet away from the spill;
d. Approach the area from an upwind direction if possible;
e. Be cognizant of the fact that odorless gases or fumes may be present;
f. Request additional assistance for evacuating traffic and bystand ers; and
g. Maintain a secure perimeter until the spill is neutralized or relieved by other police
employees.
410.02 Mechanical Assistance and Towing: When assisting motorists with mechanical
problems, the operator of a disabled vehicle being towed from the roadway may request a wrecker
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 410 – Motorist Assistance / Traffic Control
Page 3 of 7 service of their choice as long as the response time is reasonable (less than 30 minutes). If the
operator does not request a specific wrecker service, or the operator cannot remove the vehicle in
a reasonable period of time, the vehicle shall be removed by a wrecker from the Department
Wrecker Rotation List. Any requests should be made through Dispatch.
If the disabled vehicle is a traffic hazard, the officer shall position his or her police vehicle to
protect the disabled v ehicle and activate emergency lights to warn other traffic. The disabled
vehicle shall be towed by the quickest wrecker service available. Officers shall remain at the scene
until the traffic hazard has been removed.
Officers shall not use a police vehicle to jump -start a disabled vehicle.
410.03 Recommending Tow Services: Officers shall not suggest or recommend specific towing
or service firms to motorists.
If the motorist requests a specific company, employees are authorized to assist motorists with
disabled vehicles to include the notification of a wrecker or the summoning assistance as requested
by the vehicle operator