273715

Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Mobile Data Computer Use - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Mobile Data Computer Use 424.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the proper access, use, and application of the Mobile Data Computer (MDC) system in order to ensure appropriate access to confidential records from local, state, and national law enforcement databas es, and to ensure effective electronic communications between Department members and Public Safety Communications Center. See the CJIS Access, Maintenance, and Security Policy for additional guidance. 424.2 POLICY Santa Monica Police Department members using the MDC shall comply with all appropriate federal and state rules and regulations and shall use the MDC in a professional manner, in accordance with this policy. 424.3 PRIVACY EXPECTATION Members forfeit any expectation of privacy with regard to messages accessed, transmitted, received or reviewed on any Department technology system (see the Information Technology Use Policy for additional guidance). 424.4 RESTRICTED ACCESS AND USE MDC use is subject to the Information Technology Use, Protected Information, and CJIS Access, Maintenance, and Security policies. Members shall not access the MDC system if they have not received prior authorization and the required training. Members shall immediately report unauthorized access or use of the MDC by another member to their supervisors or Watch Commanders. Use of the MDC system to access law enforcement databases or transmit messages is restricted to official activities, business -related tasks, or communications that are directly related to the business, administration, or practices of the Department. In the event that a member has questions about sending a particular message or accessing a particular database, the member should seek prior approval from their supervisor. Sending derogatory, defamatory, obscene, disrespectful, sexually suggestive, harassing, or any other inappropriate messages on the MDC system is prohibited and may result in discipline. It is a violation of this policy to transmit a message or access a law enforcement database under another member's name or to use the password of another member to log in to the MDC system unless directed to do so by a supervisor. Members are required to log off the MDC or secure the MDC when it is unattended. This added security measure will minimize the potential for unauthorized access or misuse. Policy 424 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Mobile Data Computer Use Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Mobile Data Computer Use - 2 424.4.1 USE WHILE DRIVING Generally, use of the MDC by the vehicle operator should be limited to times when the vehicle is stopped. When the vehicle is in motion, the operator should only attempt to read messages that are likely to contain information that is required for immediate enforcement, investigative, tactical or safety needs. Short transmissions, such as a license plate check, are permitted if it reasonably appears that it can be done safely. In no case shall an operator attempt to send or review lengthy messages while the vehicle is in motion. 424.5 DOCUMEN TATION OF ACTIVITY Except as otherwise directed by the Watch Commander or other Department -established protocol, all calls for service assigned by a dispatcher should be communicated by voice over the police radio and electronically via the MDC unless secu rity or confidentiality prevents such broadcasting. MDC and voice transmissions are used to document the member's daily activity. To ensure accuracy: (a) All contacts or activity shall be documented at the time of the contact. (b) Whenever the activity or contact is initiated by voice, it should be entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) by a dispatcher. (c) Whenever the activity or contact is not initiated by voice, the member shall document it via the MDC. 424.5.1 STATUS CHANGES All changes in status (e.g., arrival at scene, meal periods, in service) will be transmitted over the police radio or through the MDC system. Members responding to in-progress calls should advise changes in status over the radio to assist other members responding to the same incident. 424.5.2 EMERGENCY ACTIVATION If there is an emergency activation of the MDC, the dispatcher will call and ask the member if Code -4. If the member confirms th ere is no emergency and responds, "Code 4," then all units will resume normal activity. If the member does not respond to the dispatcher's request for confirmation of the need for emergency assistance or confirms the need, the dispatcher shall proceed as f ollows: (a) If the member is not on a call, send available units to assist in locating the member transmitting the emergency. If the location is known, the nearest available officer will be dispatched Code -3 in accordance with the Officer Response to Calls Pol icy. (b) Notify