Policy Text
PURPOSE SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
537.06
RULES FOR OFF STREET PATROL UNIT
09-16-91
To establish procedure for the use of the off-road police vehicle.
POLICY
That off-road police vehicles be used only by fully trained personnel.
PROCEDURE
A. ASSIGNMENT
1. Officers assigned to operate the Police Department off street four-wheel drive unit shall
be properly trained.
2. Only officers who have been properly trained shall utilize the four-wheel drive capability.
3. Engagement and disengagement of the front wheel hubs, transfer case and winch shall
be completed in proper sequence. Officers without formal training shall refrain from
using the winch under any circumstance.
4. Each watch commander and the Traffic Section lieutenant shall compile a list of qualified
operators for this specialized equipment. All four-wheel drive operators shall be trained
and certified by a current four-wheel driver.
4. Officers assigned shall be given a forty (40) hour module in correct operation of the four-
wheel drive vehicle on and off road, and all onboard equipment to include the winch. The
approved lesson plan (87-FO-LP-4) shall be used.
5. In emergency situations, i.e. high water, search/rescue, etc., any officer may be
assigned to drive this equipment at the discretion of the watch commander or designee.
If assigned officers are not trained and become lodged or disabled, the officer shall call
for a tow truck to remove the vehicle.
B. CERTIFICATION
1. After being certified as a four-wheel drive operator, the certification shall remain valid for
a period of one year.
a. A four-wheel drive operator shall complete a yearly 10-hour refresher course to
keep their certificate.
b. A certified "noncurrent" operator shall not instruct new operators.
2. As an aid to the operation of the unit, the instructions for the operation of hubs and four-
wheel drive transfer case is clearly noted, step by step, above the sun visor on the
driver's side of the vehicle. This information as well as any written operational procedure
shall be kept current by the permanently assigned off-street operators.
O.O.O. 537.06
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