Policy Text
Page 1 of 4 DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-28: MOBILE COMMAND CENTERS
Effective Date: 6 Mar 24 Coordinator: Special Operations Division
The Oakland Police Department maintains Mobile Command Centers1 (MCC) for
command, control, and communica tions at the scene of crit ical incidents, natural
disasters, community events, and search opera tions. They are centrally located to make
them available to respond to any crisis in the City of Oakland in a short period. The
vehicles may be equipped with mobile radi os on multiple bands, CAD (Computer aided
Dispatch), Field Based Reporting (FBR), Monitors, White Boards, High intensity
lighting, and a mast-mounted ca mera. They also have a c onference area where briefings
may be held. The MCC is a resource for any mission deemed necessary by the Chief of
Police, or designee.
A. PURPOSE AND TRAINING
A - 1. Purpose
Mobile command centers (MCCs) are desi gned to allow for centralization of
information or command at critical in cidents, natural disasters, community
events, community relations, and search operations.
A - 2. Training
Operators for MCCs with gross vehicl e weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000
lbs. shall attend specific commercial driver training and possess a Class B
driver’s license with Air Brake endorsement.
Operators for MCCs with GVWR unde r 26,000 lbs. shall possess a Class C
driver’s license.
B. AUTHORIZED AND PROHIBITED USES
B - 1. Authorized Uses
MCCs may be used for any event or detail where either: 1. The MCC will assist with centralizat ion of information or command at a
given event, or
2. The presence of the MCC will furthe r the Department’s crime strategy.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
a. Public events above a certain attendance threshold;
b. In a particular neighborhood wher e a violent crime has recently
occurred or may occur to assu re community members of police
attention and presence;
3. For natural disasters or citywide emergencies an d major crimes,
1 Also referred to as Mobile Command Vehicles (MCV).
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT I-28 Effective Date
6 Mar 24
Page 2 of 4
4. For community events, handing out supplies and food during a pandemic,
or to provide privacy for reporting crimes to officers in the field.
Any MCC uses shall be authorized by a commander at the rank of Lieutenant
or above, or by a member acting in that rank.
Whenever the MCC is sent on assign ment, the Commanding Officer of the
Traffic Operations Section shall be no tified as soon as pr actical. Commanders
authorizing the deployment of the MCC shall complete a Military Equipment
notification tracking form and submit it to the Military Equipment
Coordinator.
B - 2. Prohibited Uses
MCCs shall not be used for routine patr ol (e.g., responding to calls for service,
making routine traffic stops), and sha ll not be used for vehicle pursuits.
MCC vehicles shall not be used for surreptitious surveillance. Members shall not dup licate the keys of MCCs w ithout permission nor keep
personal sets of keys to the vehicle.
C. DEPLOYMENT PROCEDURES
C - 1.
Storage Locations
Designated members of the Oakland Po lice Department sh all pick up the
vehicle at the designated hous ing location (Corp Yard).
Members using MCCs shall return the MCC to the designated storage location
after use. Storage locations include the Eastmont Substation and the City
Corp Yard.
C - 2. Vehicle Checkout
Before leaving for an assignment, the assigned crew must:
1. Check out keys from the Electroni c Key Distribution and Tracking
System. The Electronic Key Distribution boxes ar e mounted on the walls
of both the PAB Transportation offi ce and the Eastmont Substation Key
Room;
2. Plan the route to the assignment, taki ng into consideration the dimensions
and overhead clearance of the vehicle. The driver should always attempt to
use established truck routes because these roads are designed to accommodate large vehicles; and
3. Check the fuel, engine oil, tire pre ssure, and the overall vehicle condition.
C - 3.
Driving MCCs
All members driving MCCs must dr ive cautiously and avoid railroad
overpasses, parkways, parking decks, and non-commercial routes, and must
use special care when operating the MCC in rain, snow, or icy conditions. All
members operating the MCV shall be in possession of a Class B Commercial
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT I-28 Effective Date
6 Mar 24
Page 3 of 4
License with an Air Brake endorsement and current medi cal clearance. A
medical clearance is valid for up to tw o years, at which time it must be
reviewed by a medical doctor. Members shall adhere to DGO F-07 – Drivers’
License and DGO J-04.1 – Emer gency Driving Procedures.
C - 4. MCC Set Up and on-scene Procedures
At the scene, the MCC crew must: 1. Position the vehicle at a safe dist ance from an incident to provide
maximum safety for person to enter and exit the vehicle. Depending on the
type of incident and the terrain, this distance can extend to several
thousand feet.
2. Ensure that the vehicle is positioned on a level concrete or paved surface
for proper deployment of the leveling system (MCV).