Policy Text
PURPOSE SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
420.01
USE OF DEPARTMENT VEHICLES
09-16-91
To describe procedures to regulate use of department vehicles.
POLICY
To properly account for and control use of the Department's vehicle fleet to minimize thefts, damage,
and vandalism.
PROCEDURE
A. PARKING VEHICLES
1. At the end of shift, all marked and unmarked vehicles shall be returned to the correct
parking lot and the assigned parking space/area for that vehicle by personnel who last
used the vehicle. Personnel going on duty shall obtain their vehicles from the
appropriate parking area.
2. Each watch commander shall have the area around their police facility checked for
vehicles that have not been returned to their assigned space and have them returned to
their correct location. The watch commander shall start the necessary documentation
and disciplinary procedures for personnel who fail to comply with this order. For
purposes of accountability, the senior officer shall be deemed to be the officer
responsible for the vehicle.
B. OUT OF SERVICE VEHICLES
1. Under no circumstances shall personnel use a vehicle that has a raised hood or has
been secured by garage personnel.
2. If no other vehicles are available, the watch commander shall consult the garage
supervisor to determine availability.
C. REFUELING
1. At the end of shift, personnel shall check the fuel gauge of the vehicle. If the vehicle has
less than 1/2 tank, it shall be refueled.
2. Always check the fuel gauge prior to leaving the yard.
D. TRASH
1. ALL TRASH shall be removed from the vehicle at the end of shift. Watch commanders
and supervisors shall take appropriate disciplinary action against personnel leaving trash
in a vehicle at the end of watch.
2. Personnel shall properly dispose of any trash removed from their vehicle.
3. Before starting a shift, at the end of shift, and after transporting a prisoner(s), officers
shall remove the back seat of the vehicle and inspect the area under the seat for
evidence and/or property the prisoner(s) may have hidden and/or lost.
E. POLICE GARAGE
1. Personnel shall not loiter around the police garage.
2. All business shall be conducted with the shop foreman/supervisor on duty.
O.O.O. 420.01
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