24-6

 PLANT CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT General Order Title TRAFFIC ANCILLARY SERVICES General Order Number 24-6 Effective: 01/01/1996 Revised: 04/06/2020 Reviewed: CFA: PURPOSE The purpose of this directive is to explain the types of as sistance mem bers will provide motor ists on the streets, roads and highways and to establish guide lines to protect and as sist stranded motorists. DISCUSSION It is the Department's objec tive to be of service to the public in rendering aid in a timely and courteous manner. Motorists on occasion need as sistance of various types. This could occur as a result of being stranded, an emergency situation, or a hazardous driving condition. INTENT It is the intent of the Plant City Police Depart ment to offer assistance t o motorists in need of aid. Sworn members will assist or provide for the as sistance of motorists appearing to be stranded or in need of aid. DEFINITIONS RULES AND PROCEDURES A. Directions - Members will provide direc tional assistance to motorists upon request. Should requests for direc tions be of such nature that field re source materi als are insufficient, mem bers should request assis tance from Communica tions. B. Assistance in Obtaining F uel - Upon a supervisor's ap proval assis tance may be ren dered to motorists by con veying them to a facility where fuel may be ob tained . C. Contacting Other Parties - Mem bers will render reasonable assistance in helping stranded motorists contact fam ily, friends, or other concerned persons. Requests for assis tance may be relayed through Communications. D. Members are to provide rea sonable assistance to motorists in ob taining technical assistance such as emer gency medical assistance, fire fight ing services, towing and/or re pair ser vice. E. Members will not render or be dis patched to render technical services such as jump -starting a motorists vehicle or unlocking a vehicle unless a bona fide state of emergency exists (e.g., person, child, or pet locked inside a vehicle). During an emergency, members may request that communications contact the appropriate community service or business to assist according ly. 24-6.1 GENERAL ASSISTANCE TO MOTORIST G E N E R A L O R D E R 24-6 T R A F F I C A N C I L L A R Y S E R V I C E S P a g e | 2 A. Whenever a motorist re quests assistance in obtaining entry to his/her vehicle, the member will first re quest that the person desiring such service state the name of the business they wish to provide that service. Should the individual state no preference, the member is to req uest Communications contact the next available wrecker service on the rotation list which is able to provide the service requested. B. Whenever a motorist re quires a wrecker, roadside service, or other re pair, the member will first request that the p erson desiring such service state the name of the organi zation he/she wishes to provide that service. Should the individual state no pref erence, the member is to request Com munications dispatch the first wrecker service on the rotation list that i s able to provide the service requested. C. Members who call for a wrecker on their own authority shall request the first wrecker service on the rotation list that is able to perform the required service. D. The citizen requesting service is the one who ultimately pays for these services, and poor quality services cannot be tolerated. Members are to report to their supervisor the name of any wrecker service agency or individual that either renders poor service or is inca pable of providing quality servi ce because of inade quate equipment or person nel. E. The Information Services Division is responsible for coordinating a system to obtain needed services and for conducting an annual review of the rotation system to ensure that it is function ing properl y. Members of the Department will ensure the safety of stranded motorists and their vehicles prior to leaving the scene. Consideration should be given to time of day, location and traffic conditions. Shoul d required help or assistance be unavailable in a timely fashion, the member is to advise his/her immediate supervisor of the situation. Upon approval of the su pervisor the member will transport the indi vidual(s) to a place of safety, prefer ably the Po lice Department. Communi cations will be advised of any transports of this na ture prior to the transport. Members of the Department trained and certified in first aid will render first aid when required during emer gencies. As soon as practical, the responsibility for first aid shall be relinquished to emergen cy medical personnel. Members are to use the fire extin guisher provided in their patrol vehi cle to extinguish vehicle fires that are still exti nguishable. The fire department is to be notified of all vehicle fires. A. Hazardous Roadway Conditions - It is the responsibility of all sworn mem bers to recog nize real and potentially dan gerous/hazardous roadway condi tions and take immediate and appropri ate actions to correct them. Roadway and roadside hazards are to be reported immediately to Com munica tions for proper notification and corrective action. The followi ng are hazards that need to be reported: 1. De