447_-_Mobile_Data_Computer_Use

Policy 447Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentMobile Data Computer Use - 1Mobile Data Computer Use 447.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The mobile data computer (MDC) accesses the Department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, Records Management System (RMS), and confidential records from the State of California, Department of Justice and Department of Motor Vehicles databases. Employees using the MDC shall comply with all appropriate federal and state rules and regulations. 447.2 MDC USE The MDC shall be used for official police communications only. Messages that are of a sexual, racist, or offensive nature, or otherwise critical of any member of the Department are strictly forbidden. MDC use is also subject to the Department Technology Use Policy. Messages may be reviewed by supervisors at anytime without prior notification. Employees generating or transmitting messages not in compliance with this policy are subject to discipline. All calls dispatched to patrol units should be communicated by voice and MDC unless otherwise authorized by the Watch Commander. 447.2.1 USE WHILE DRIVING Use of the MDC by the vehicle operator should generally be limited to times when the vehicle is stopped. When the vehicle is in motion, the operator should only attempt to read messages that are likely to contain information that is required for immediate enforcement, investigative or safety needs. Short transmissions, such as a license plate check, are permitted if it reasonably appears that it can be done safely. In no case shall an operator attempt to send or review lengthy messages while the vehicle is in motion. 447.2.2 DOCUMENTATION OF ACTIVITY MDC's and voice transmissions are used to record the officer's daily activity. To ensure the most accurate recording of these activities, the following are required: (a)All contacts or activity shall be documented at the time of the contact; (b)Whenever the activity or contact is initiated by voice, it shall be entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system by a dispatcher; (c)Whenever the activity or contact is not initiated by voice, the officer shall record it on the MDC. 447.2.3 STATUS CHANGES All changes in status (i.e., arrival at scene, meal periods, etc.) will be recorded either verbally over the police radio or through the MDC system. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Mobile Data Computer Use Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentMobile Data Computer Use - 2Officers responding to in progress calls shall advise changes in status verbally over the police radio to assist other officers responding to the same incident. Other changes in status may be entered by depressing the appropriate keys on the MDC's. 447.2.4 EMERGENCY ACTIVATION OF MDC If the emergency button is depressed on the MDC, the dispatcher will call the unit and ask if Code- 4. If there is no emergency, then he/she should answer "Code-4" and all units will resume their normal activity. If there is no response or the officer answers in some other way, the dispatcher shall proceed as follows: (a)If the unit is not on a call, send available units to assist in locating the unit transmitting the emergency. Whenever a location is known, immediately dispatch the nearest available unit Code-3 (b)Notify the Watch Commander of the incident without delay Units not responding to the emergency shall refrain from transmitting on the radio until there is a Code-4, unless they are themselves handling an emergency 447.3 MDC CONSIDERATIONS 447.3.1 NON-FUNCTIONING MDC Whenever possible, officers will not use units with malfunctioning MDC's. Whenever officers must drive a unit in which the MDC is not working, they shall notify communications. Communications shall be responsible for recording all information that will then be given verbally over the police radio. 447.3.2 BOMB CALLS When investigating reports of possible bombs, officers will turn off their MDC's. Operating the MDC may cause some devices to detonate. 447.3.3 EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE INTEGRITY Employees are not to attach any personal devices, peripheral equipment, or storage media to any MDC without the expressed written permission of the Principal Systems Specialist. Employees shall not attempt to modify or make changes to the configuration, nor install any software without the expressed written permission of the Principal Systems Specialist.