Policy Text
Policy
424San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentAutomatic Vehicle Locating System - 1Automatic Vehicle Locating System
424.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for the implementation and
use of the Automatic Vehicle Locating System (AVL) and its applications. The system is designed
to increase officer safety by providing the ability to locate personnel who have lost contact
with dispatch or other officers. AVL applications (such as mapping) are intended to enhance
coordination and resource management during routine calls for service, emergency responses
and tactical situations.
424.2 POLICY
The Automatic Vehicle Location System will be installed and functioning in all patrol vehicles
equipped with a Mobile Data Computer (MDC). The user will power "on" the MDC and enter into
Spillman Mobile in order to activate the Global Positioning System (GPS) and initiate the AVL
system. Once a unit and vehicle is in-service, the system should remain on. Personnel shall not
tamper with the power supply, or in any way attempt to disable the AVL unit or alter its function.
424.2.1 NON-FUNCTIONING AVL SYSTEMS
Whenever possible, officers will not use units with malfunctioning AVL systems. Whenever officers
must drive a unit in which the AVL is not working, they shall notify the on-duty supervisor for
approval and notify communications of the inoperable AVL system.
424.3 ACCESS
The system includes a mapping capability to enable the viewing of maps showing the location of
other units on MDC screens in the patrol vehicles. The systems will be configured to allow all units
to "see" each other and will track all users.
Dispatch will have the ability to monitor the current location of all vehicles. The AVL system has the
ability to keep a historical record of the location of all equipped vehicles. Supervisors and above, as
well as administrators of the system, will have the authority or the ability to access historical data.
Historical data shall be maintained for no longer than two years but may be kept for shorter
period of times due to storage needs. Historical data may be kept for longer periods of time at
the discretion of the Chief.
It is not the intent of the department to review AVL history on a regular basis, however, the
information may be audited for quality control or examined to assist with investigative needs or
internal inquiries. Access to historical data by others not listed above shall require authorization
by the Division Commander of the individual or vehicle being researched.
424.4 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The AVL system operates on a cell phone system. As such, technical issues could occasionally
affect its ability to function as intended. Personnel are required to update their status via radio
or MDC. It will be particularly important for officers to continue the current practice of radio
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Automatic Vehicle Locating System
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentAutomatic Vehicle Locating System - 2notifications to dispatch during emergency operations. Dispatch will continue to assign calls
pursuant to their operational policy.
424.4.1 USE WHILE DRIVING
Use of the AVL and its applications will provide assistance to on duty personnel as they are on
routine patrol and responding to calls for service. It is recognized that personnel may need to
view AVL applications while a vehicle is in motion. Safety to police personnel and the public is
paramount and the user must balance its most practical use whether the vehicle is in a moving
or stationary position.