Policy Text
Ridgecrest Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Ridgecrest Police DepartmentChief’s Preface - 1CHIEF’S PREFACE
No modern organization can expect to succeed without a standard set of operating procedures,
regulations, policies, or guidelines. Neither should an employee be expected to serve without a
codified listing of the organizations’ expectations and performance guidelines. In these times, it is
extremely important to review and evaluate each of the policies which direct our operations. This
policy manual ensures that both management and employees are provided with the information
and guidance required for the success of both the organization and the employee.
It is impossible to provide strict rules and regulations which will embrace all of the possible
situations which you will be asked to perform during your service with the Ridgecrest Police
Department. We are in a dynamic profession which will provide constant change. Sometimes
the situations will change faster than will be possible for the Policy and Procedure manuals to
be modified and disseminated. There will always be areas which must be left to common sense
and the discretion of the involved individual. When such deviation from Department Policy or
Procedure Directives occurs, the employee must be able to articulate that the chosen course
of action was necessary and in the best interests of the Ridgecrest Police Department and the
Community. Conversely, absolute conformity to these Directives will not guarantee a defense
when it is obvious a more prudent and wiser alternative was available.
The individual Directives which make up the Ridgecrest Police Department Policy Manual and
the Ridgecrest Police Department Procedure Manual are designed to guide the employees of the
department in carrying out the duties and responsibilities imposed by law or necessary upon each
of us in fulfilling the department’s objectives. Each employee of the Ridgecrest Police Department
is provided with easy access to each of these manuals and is responsible for becoming familiar
with the content of each.
“Our ways” or policies may not always be the best or most efficient way of conducting police
services as current laws, management focuses, and community expectations often dictate or limit
our actions. However, I value your experience and ideas and encourage future collaboration
either individually through Chain of Command, or as a policy workgroup, in keeping this manual
relevant and updated.
Jed McLaughlin
Chief of Police
Ridgecrest Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Ridgecrest Police DepartmentMission Statement - 2MISSION STATEMENT
We hold with great regard the trust that this community bestows upon us and assume responsibility
for promoting that trust.
Our purpose is to form a lasting and mutually rewarding partnership with our community based
on respect and sincerity.
Our mission is to provide loyal, fair and ethical police services that actively prevent crime, reduce
fear, and enhance the safety of citizens through Community Policing.
Ridgecrest Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Ridgecrest Police DepartmentTable of Contents - 3Table of Contents
Chief’s Preface ........................ 1
Mission Statement ....................... 2
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority ............ 8
100 - Law Enforcement Authority .................. 9
101 - Chief Executive Officer ................... 12
102 - Oath of Office ..................... 13
103 - Policy Manual ..................... 14
104 - Law Enforcement Code of Ethics ............... 17
Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration ............. 18
200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility ............ 19
201 - Departmental Directives .................. 23
202 - Emergency Operations Plan ................. 24
203 - Training ....................... 25
204 - Electronic Mail ..................... 28
205 - Administrative Communications ................ 30
206 - Staffing Levels ..................... 31
207 - License to Carry a Firearm ................. 32
208 - Retiree Concealed Firearms ................. 40
Chapter 3 - General Operations .................. 45
300 - Use of Force ...................... 46
301 - Handcuffing and Restraints ................. 57
302 - Control Devices and Techniques ............... 62
303 - Conducted Energy Weapon ................. 67
304 - Officer-Involved Shootings and Deaths .............. 73
305 - Firearms ....................... 82
306 - Vehicle Pursuits ..................... 93
307 - Officer Response to Calls ................. 105
308 - Canines ....................... 108
309 - Domestic Violence .................... 117
310 - Search and Seizure ................... 124
311 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles ............... 126
312 - Senior and Disability Victimization ............... 137
313 - Discriminatory Harassment ................. 153
314 - Child Abuse ...................... 159
315 - Missing Persons .................... 167
316 - Public Alerts ...................... 174
317 - Victim and Witness Assistance ................ 178
318 - Hate Crimes ...................... 181
319 - Standards of Conduct ................... 190
320 - Information Technology Use ................. 197
Ridgecrest Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/10/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Ridge