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Policy 427Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/02/27, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentDowntown Services Unit - 1Downtown Services Unit 427.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Santa Monica Police Department has established the Downtown Services Unit for the purpose of enhancing patrol efforts in the community. Utilizing bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric scooters to patrol congested areas is an effective way to increase officer visibility and their quiet operation can provide a tactical approach to crimes in progress. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the safe and effective operation of the patrol bicycle, electric bicycle and electric scooter. 427.2 POLICY Patrol bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric scooters may be used for regular patrol duty, traffic enforcement, parking control, or special events. The use of bicycles and scooters will emphasize their mobility and visibility to the community. Bicycles and scooters may be deployed to any area at all hours of the day or night, according to Department needs and as staffing levels allow. Requests for specific deployment of Downtown Service Unit officers shall be coordinated through the Downtown Services Section Commander. Requests for using and deploying patrol bicycles, electric bicycles, or electric scooters shall be coordinated through the Downtown Services Section Commander or designee. 427.3 SELECTION OF PERSONNEL Interested sworn personnel, who are off probation, shall submit a memorandum of interest to their appropriate Division Commander. A copy will be forwarded to the Downtown Services Section Commander. Qualified applicants will then be invited to an oral interview. The oral board will consist of the Downtown Services Section Commander or his/her designee and any other designees selected by the Downtown Services Section Commander. Interested personnel shall be evaluated by the following criteria: (a) Recognized competence and ability as evidenced by performance. (b) Special skills or training as it pertains to the assignment. (c) Good physical condition. (d) Willingness to perform duties using the bicycle as a mode of transportation. 427.3.1 DOWNTOWN SERVICES UNIT SUPERVISOR The Downtown Services Unit supervisor will be selected from the rank of sergeant by the Patrol Operations Division Commander or his/her designee. The Downtown Services Unit supervisor and/or designee shall have responsibility for the following: (a) Organizing bicycle, electric bicycle and electric scooter patrol training. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Downtown Services Unit Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/02/27, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentDowntown Services Unit - 2(b) Inspecting and maintaining inventory of patrol bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and program equipment. (c) Scheduling maintenance and repairs. (d) Evaluating performance of Downtown Service Unit officers. (e) Coordinating activities with the Patrol Operations Division. (f) Other activities as required to maintain the efficient operation of the Downtown Services Unit. 427.4 TRAINING Participants in the program must complete an initial Department approved bicycle-training course after acceptance into the program. Thereafter, Downtown Services Unit officers should receive annual in-service training to improve skills and refresh safety, health and operational procedures. The initial training shall minimally include the following: •Bicycle patrol strategies. •Bicycle safety and accident prevention. •Operational tactics using bicycles. Downtown Service Unit officers will be required to qualify with their duty firearm while wearing bicycle safety equipment including the helmet and riding gloves. Upon completion of a Department-approved bicycle course, personnel desirous of using electronic bicycles (E-Bikes) must complete additional Department-approved training. Personnel desirous of using the electric scooters must complete Department-approved training. 427.5 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT Officers shall wear the Department-approved uniform and safety equipment while operating the Department patrol bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter. Safety equipment includes Department-approved helmet, riding gloves, protective eyewear and approved footwear. The Downtown Services Unit uniform consists of the standard short-sleeve uniform shirt or other Department-approved shirt with Department badge and patches, and Department-approved bicycle patrol pants or shorts. Optional equipment includes a radio head set and microphone, and jackets in colder weather. Turtleneck shirts or sweaters are permitted when worn under the uniform shirt. Downtown Services Unit officers shall carry the same equipment on the bicycle patrol duty belt as they would on a regular patrol assignment, regardless if they will be using a patrol bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter. Officers will be responsible for obtaining the necessary forms, citation books and other department equipment needed while on patrolling on a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric scooter. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Downtown Services Unit Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/02/27, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentDowntown Services Unit - 3427.6 CARE AND USE OF PATROL BICYCLES/ELECTRIC BICYCLES Officers will be assigned a specially marked and equipped patrol bicycle, attached gear bag, two batteries and a charger. Bicycles utilized for uniformed bicycle patrol shall be primarily black or white in with a “POLICE” decal affixed to each side of the crossbar or the bike's saddlebag. Every such bicycle shall be equipped with front and rear reflectors front lights and a siren/horn satisfying the requirements of Vehicle Code §2800.1(b). Bicycles utilized for uniformed bicycle patrol shall be equipped with a rear rack and/or saddle bag(s) sufficient to carry all necessary equipment