Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 420.01
1 OF 5
420.01
USE OF POLICE VEHICLES
06-26-08
PURPOSE
To establish procedures for the use of police vehicles.
POLICY
To ensure that City vehicles are used in a safe manner for official business.
PROCEDUREA. DEFINITIONS
1. GRAFFITI - unauthorized decals, signs, bump er stickers, markings, or accessories.
2. SHORT TERM PARKING - parking generally less than two (2) hours.3. PRIORITY POLICE BUSINESS - investigating crimes, responding to calls, etc. Priority
police business does not include attending meetings or court.
4. COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT - includes, but is not limited to: telephones, cellular/
wireless telephones (cell phones), pagers, com puters, and other mobile service devices.
5. HANDS FREE DEVICE - an app aratus used with a cellular telephone that permits the
user to talk on the telephone without holding it.
6. TEXT MESSAGE - a written message sent in textual form designed to appear on the
viewing screen of a cellular telephone or pager.
7. PUSH-TO-TALK DEVICES - Police radios or cellular telephone models or devices that
allow for two-way radio communications in addition to regular cellular telephone service and text messaging.
B. GENERAL
1. Employees shall operate Department vehicles with due care, caution, and obey all traffic
laws except as authorized by law.
2. When leaving City vehicles unattended, the drivers shall:
a. place the gear selector in "park".b. set the emergency brake.c. roll up all windows.d. remove the keys.e. lock all doors.
3. When Community Service Officers (CSOs) and Crime Scene Investigators use marked
patrol vehicles, they shall display magnetic "Civilian Employee" signs on the right and
left sides of the vehicle.
4. After using a City vehicle, employees shall remove all trash from the vehicle and dispose
of it properly.
5. Employees shall also follow the pr ovisions of G.O. 255.09, Modified Duty.
C. USE OF SEAT BELTS
1. Employees riding in Departm ent vehicles shall use the three-point harness safety belt
(shoulder and lap harness) when t he vehicle is placed in mo tion. To ensure employee
safety and reduce the possibility of injury, t he three-point harness sa fety belt shall not be
altered nor modified in any manner.
2. Employees transporting persons other than City employees shall ensure passengers use
seat belts.a. Unless a prisoner poses a danger to the transporting officer, officers shall fasten
the belt for the handcuffed prisoner. Officers who do not secure a prisoner with a seat belt, due to a belligerent or combative attitude, shall note this fact in the
Arrest Report.
b. Patrol wagon prisoners are exempt from the seat belt requirement.
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 420.01
2 OF 5D. USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES
California Vehicle Code 23123 states that a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a
wireless telephone unless that telephone is spec ifically designed and conf igured to allow hands-
free listening and talking, and is us ed in that manner while driving.
1. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, em ployees will not utilize a cellular telephone
while operating a vehicle unless t he telephone is equipped for hands-free use.
2. While operating a Department vehicle or while operating any vehicle while on duty,
employees shall exercise caut ion when dialing calls or sending a text message while the
vehicle is in motion. Such use shall not be attempted while in heavy traffic or high speed
conditions.
NOTE: To place or receive a telephone call, or send a text message, employees should
pull off the road to the nearest, safest, most practical location and stop their
vehicle.
3. Employees using a push-to-talk device for two-way communications with other law
enforcement personnel who are using that device in the course and scope of his/her
employment, shall be exempt from Section D1 above.
4. Traffic violations
a. Traffic citations issued to an employee for violating CVC 23123 while using a City
vehicle are the responsibility of the employee per City Policy.
E. TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OF VEHICLES
1. When additional vehicles ar e required to supplement ex isting operations, employees
shall contact the Fleet Management Section, Office of Technical Services (OTS), and obtain a vehicle from the pool. In emergency situations, the on-duty station commander may authorize the use of any designated vehicle.
2. Fleet Vehicles
a. Employees seeking the use of a vehicle from the unm arked vehicle pool shall
contact the Fleet Management Section, pr esent sufficient authorization for the
vehicle (e.g., a Travel and Training Reques t, a One-Day Request, or other form of
supervisory authority), complete the Fl eet Vehicle Sign-out Log, and obtain the
keys. A gasoline credit card s hall be issued when necessary.
b. When a vehicle has been assigned to sworn personnel in the Office of Operations
the vehicle equipment number shall be repor ted, via MDC if available, to the
dispatcher so it may be noted on the uni t history. Personnel assigned to other
Offices are not required to adhere to this procedure.
c. After using the vehicle, the user shall fuel, clean, and park it in the appropriate
space. The ending mileage shall be noted. The keys and credit card shall be
returned to the