702Vehicle_Use_7232025

Policy 702San Luis Obispo Police Department San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police DepartmentVehicle Use - 1Vehicle Use 702.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish a system of accountability to ensure department vehicles are used appropriately. This policy provides guidelines for on- and off-duty use of department vehicles and shall not be construed to create or imply any contractual obligation by the City of San Luis Obispo to provide assigned take-home vehicles. Additional guidelines for member responsibilities when transporting persons in custody may be found in the Transporting Persons in Custody Policy. 702.2 POLICY The San Luis Obispo Police Department provides vehicles for department-related business and may assign patrol and unmarked vehicles based on a determination of operational efficiency, economic impact to the Department, requirements for tactical deployments, and other considerations. 702.3 USE OF VEHICLES 702.3.1 SHIFT ASSIGNED VEHICLES The Watch Commander shall ensure a copy of the shift assignment roster indicating member assignments and vehicle numbers is completed for each shift and retained in accordance with the established records retention schedule. If a member exchanges vehicles during the member's shift, the new vehicle number shall be documented on the roster. 702.3.2 OTHER USE OF VEHICLES Members utilizing a vehicle for any purpose other than their normally assigned duties or normal vehicle assignment (e.g., transportation to training, community event) shall first notify the Watch Commander. A notation will be made on the shift assignment roster indicating the member’s name and vehicle number. This subsection does not apply to those who are assigned to vehicle transportation duties to and from the maintenance yard or carwash. 702.3.3 INSPECTIONS Members shall be responsible for inspecting the interior and exterior of any assigned vehicle before taking the vehicle into service and at the conclusion of their shifts. Any previously unreported damage, mechanical problems, unauthorized contents, or other problems with the vehicle shall be promptly reported to a supervisor and documented as appropriate. The interior of any vehicle that has been used to transport any person other than a member of this department should be inspected prior to placing another person in the vehicle and again after the person is removed. This is to ensure that unauthorized or personal items have not been left in the vehicle. San Luis Obispo Police Department San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual Vehicle Use Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police DepartmentVehicle Use - 2When transporting any person in custody, the transporting member shall search all areas of the vehicle that are accessible by the person before and after that person is transported. All department vehicles are subject to inspection and/or search at any time by a supervisor without notice and without cause. No member assigned to or operating such vehicle shall be entitled to any expectation of privacy with respect to the vehicle or its contents. 702.3.4 SECURITY AND UNATTENDED VEHICLES Unattended vehicles should be locked and secured at all times. No key should be left in the vehicle except when it is necessary that the vehicle be left running (e.g., continued activation of emergency lights, canine safety, equipment charging). Officers who exit a vehicle rapidly in an emergency situation or to engage in a foot pursuit must carefully balance the need to exit the vehicle quickly with the need to secure the vehicle. Members shall ensure all weapons are secured while the vehicle is unattended. 702.3.5 MDC Members assigned to vehicles equipped with a Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) shall log onto the MDC with the required information when going on-duty. If the vehicle is not equipped with a working MDC, the member shall notify the Communications Center. Use of the MDC is governed by the Mobile Digital Computer Use Policy. 702.3.6 VEHICLE LOCATION SYSTEM Patrol and other vehicles, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, may be equipped with a system designed to track the vehicle’s location. While the system may provide vehicle location and other information, members are not relieved of their responsibility to use required communication practices to report their location and status. Members shall not make any unauthorized modifications to the system. At the start of each shift, members shall verify that the system is on and report any malfunctions to their supervisor. If the member finds that the system is not functioning properly at any time during the shift, he/she should exchange the vehicle for one with a working system, if available. System data may be accessed by supervisors at any time. However, access to historical data by other than supervisors will require Division Chief approval. All data captured by the system shall be retained in accordance with the established records retention schedule. 702.3.7 KEYS Members approved to operate marked patrol vehicles should be issued a copy of the key as part of their initial equipment distribution. Members who are assigned a specific vehicle should be issued keys for that vehicle. Members shall not duplicate keys. The loss of a key shall be promptly reported in writing through the member’s chain of command. San Luis Obispo Police Department San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual Vehicle Use Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police DepartmentVehicle Use - 3702.3.8 AUTHORIZED PASSENGERS Members operating department vehicles shall not permit persons other