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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/04/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Vehicle Use - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Vehicle Use 703.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Department utilizes City -owned motor vehicles in a variety of applications operated by Department personnel. In order to maintain a system of accountability and ensure City -owned vehicles are used appropriately on and off duty, regulations relating to the use of these vehicles have been established. The term "City -owned," as used in this section also refers to any vehicle leased or rented by the City. Additional guidelines for member responsibilities when transporting persons in custody may be found in the Transporting Persons in Custody Policy. 703.2 POLICY The Santa Monica 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. 703.3 USE OF VEHICLES 703.3.1 SHIFT ASSIGNED VEHICLES The sergeant shall ensure all member assignments and vehicle numbers are completed for his/ her shift by inputting the data into the DocuPeak system. If the member exchanges vehicles during his/her shift, the new vehicle number shall be updated in DocuPeak. 703.3.2 OTHER USE OF VEHICLES Members utilizing a vehicle for any purpose other than their normally assigned duties or n ormal vehicle assignment (e.g., transportation to training, community event) shall first notify their respective Division Commander through the chain of command. Upon approval to use the vehicle for the event, the member will ensure the on -duty field super visor makes a notation within the DocuPeak System indicating the vehicle number assigned to the member. This subsection does not apply to those members permanently assigned to individual vehicles (e.g. command staff, detectives, etc.) or members assig ned to vehicle transportation duties to and from the maintenance yard or carwash. 703.3.3 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 oth er 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 anothe r person in the vehicle and again after Policy 703 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/04/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Vehicle Use - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Vehicle Use the person is removed. This is to ensure that unauthorized or personal items have not been left in the vehicle. 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. 703.3.4 SECURITY AND UNATTENDED VEHICLES Unattended vehicles should be locked and secure d 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 shal l ensure all weapons are secured while the vehicle is unattended. 703.3.5 MDC Members assigned to vehicles equipped with a Mobile Data 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 Public Safety Communications Center for entry into the CAD system. If the member exchanges vehicles during their shift, the member shall notify the Communications Center of the new vehicle number assignment. Use of the MD C is governed by the Mobile Data Computer Use Policy. 703.3.6 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. 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 m ay be accessed by supervisors at any time. However, access to historical data by other than supervisors will require Division Commander approval. All data captured by the system shall be retained in accordance with the established records retention schedul e. 703.3.7 KEYS Members approved to operate marked patrol vehicles shall be issued a copy of the key as part of their initial equipment distribution. Members who are assigned a