Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 2 03/02 (REV 1/04)
Vehicle Inspection and Servicing
The purpose of this order is to o utline the pre-shift procedure for inspection of patrol
vehicles, after-shift service /repairs, and emergency refueling.
I. Pre-shift Inspection
A. Upon assuming control of a vehi cle, the patrol officer shall conduct an
inspection for proper condition and necessary equipment.
B. If any mechanical defects are found, the vehicle shall not b e driven.
C. If new damage is found, officers will immediat ely notify a s upervisor, who
will inspect the damage. A not ation will be m ade in the approp riate binder
maintained by equipment room per sonnel who will decide if the v ehicle
needs to be repaired.
D. Areas to be checked:
1. Exterior/Interior Damage
2. Underside (Fluid Leaks)
3. Lights (Headlights, Brake/Ta il Lights, Side Markers, Directi onal,
Emergency Lights, Map Light)
4. Horn/Siren: Checked Briefly After Exiting Assigned Station
5. Trunk (Spare Tire, Flares, Ja ck, Blanket, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid
Kit, Teddy Bears)
6. Shotgun/LER Release
7. MDT Functions
II. Responsibility When Releas ing Control Of The Vehicle
A. When the patrol vehicle is r eleased either to pool or anothe r driver at the
conclusion of a shift, the driver is responsible for returning the vehicle with
a full fuel tank.
Field Services Page 2 of 2 03/02 (REV 1/04)
B. The driver shall turn off the MDT, remove all keys, lock the vehicle and
return all keys to the equipment room.
C. If mechanical repairs or se rvicing are needed, the driver sh all complete a
vehicle repair request at the equipment room.
D. If radio or MDT repairs are needed, the driver shall complet e a Radio/MDT
repair request at the equipment room.
III. Emergency Refueling
A. If an officer is unable to ret urn to his/her station house o r any other
department authorized fueling st ation due to the lack of fuel, the officer
shall contact their immediate supervisor and obtain approval to refuel their
vehicle by one o f the following:
1. Have the supervisor respond to the officer’s location to use the
department credit card. Pump only the amount of fuel needed to
complete the shift. The supervi sor will sign for the charge and
return the charge slip to the equi pment room. The slip will the n be
forwarded to the departm ent fleet manager.
2. The officer may personally pay for the fuel and submit a req uest for
reimbursement with the fuel receipt attached.
IV. Inspection Of Vehicles F ollowing A Pursuit/PIT
A. Officers who directly partici pate in high-spee d pursuits sha ll write up their
vehicles at end of watch for sa fety/maintenance inspections. Th e vehicle
write-up should read: “pursuit i nspection”. If the vehicle is d amaged during
the pursuit it shall be driven, if s afe, or towed immediately t o the division
station house the vehicle is assigned.
B. Officers who directly partici pate in a Pursuit Immobilizatio n Technique
(PIT) shall write up their v ehicles at the end of watch for
safety/maintenance inspections. T he vehicle write-up should rea d: “PIT
inspection”. If the vehicle is damaged during this maneuver it shall be
driven, if safe, or towed immedi ately to the division station h ouse where
the vehicle is assigned.