Policy Text
1 (12/18/2024 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: POLICE VEHICLE OPERATION
Index as: Driving Emergency Vehicle Operation Vehicle Operation
Emergency Escorts Vehicle Stop
Emergency Escorts Pursuit
Emergency Mode Traffic Stop
Accreditation Standards: 41.2.1, 41.3.1, 41.3.3, 61.3 .3
Cross Reference : G.O. II -02, Motor Vehicle Crash Review Process
G.O. II-06, Take -home Vehicle Program
G.O. III-17, Pursuits
I.O. V.5: 05, Communications Procedures_ MDT, Radio, Cellular Telephone
§§ 316.072, 316.126, 316.613 , Florida Statutes
Replaces : G.O. III-12, Police Vehicle Operation, ( April 28, 2016 )
This Order consist s of the following sections: sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Routine Vehicle Operation
IV. Emergency Vehicle Operation
V. Blocking Roadways
VI. Vehicle Stops
VII. Escorts
VIII. Supervisory/Command Responsibility
I. POLICY
A. It is the policy of the Department that all vehicles owned, leased or rented by the City of St. Petersburg will be
operated in a safe, courteous manner at all times.
B. At no time will this O rder or any provision of Florida statutes relieve the driver of any emergency vehicle from "the
duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the
consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others .” (§ 316.072 , Florida Statutes )
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Emergency – A situation either reported or observed, characterized by a need for immediate police response to
assure the safety of persons or property, or to apprehend a criminal suspect.
B. Emergency Mode – The operation of an emergency vehicle, utilizing warning lights and audible warning
equipment, to alert others of the approach of an emergency vehicle. The use of headlights during daylight hours,
spotlights, and the air horn should be considered if they will help ensure safe movement of the emergency
vehicle. Hazard warning lights (4 -way flashers) will not be used as their use interferes with the normal operation of DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately III-12
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -12
2 (12/18/2024 ) the brake and turn signals.
C. Emergency Vehicle – A vehicle owned by the City of St. Peters burg which is conspicuously marked as a police
vehicle and/or equipped with warning lights and audible warning equipment. Vehicles without warning equipment
are not considered emergency vehicles.
D. Pursuit – An active attempt by an officer operating an emergency vehicle to apprehend a suspect operating a
motor vehicle/boat in a manner to elude or evade apprehension. (See G.O. III -17, Pursuit of a Vehicle or Boat .)
E. Vehicle Stop – The actions taken by an officer , while operating an emergency vehicle, to stop a vehicle suspected
of a traffic violation or offense, or for any other pur pose, while the driver's behavior is not giving any indication to
elude or evade apprehension.
III. ROUTINE VEHICLE OPERATION
A. Department -owned, leased or rented vehicles will only be operated by authorized persons and only when the
operator has a valid state license to do so.
B. Seat belts shall be worn at all times by vehicle occupants when the vehicle is in motion.
C. Employees, operating vehicles in the performance of their du ty, will strictly observe all traffic laws and drive
defensively in a safe and courteous manner.
1. Section 316.217 , Florida Statutes , permits a law enforcement vehicle to operate without lighted lamps while
engaged in a law enforcement activity, if it can be safely accomplished. Officers may operate their vehicles
without lights when doing so assists in the prevention of a criminal act or the apprehension of an offender.
2. Neither the statute nor this policy relieves the officer , operating without lighted lamps, from driving with due
regard for the safety of others.
D. Transportation of a child five (5) years of age or younger will be in an approved child rest raint device, as required
by section 316.613 , Florida Statutes .
E. Department vehicles, used for law enforcement purposes which are not on emergency calls, will be parked as
operationally necessary in compliance with Florida statute s and local ordinances.
F. Civilian employees and volunteers, operating Department vehicles, should advise the Emergency
Communications Center of the vehicle number and identity of the user.
1. Civilian employees and volunteers should be mindful tha t they may be perceived as law enforcement officer s
and approached by the public for assistance.
2. If the vehicle has a radio, there is an emergency button which, if activated, activates an alarm in the
Emergency Communications Center .
IV. EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION
A. Civilian employees will not operate a Department vehicle in emergency mode.
B. Officers may operate a police vehicle in an emergency mode only when responding to an emergency or when
engaged in a vehicle stop.
1. Officers will not pursue a suspect vehicle unless the provisions of G.O. III -17, Pursuit of a Vehicle or B oat are
compl ied with.
2. Officers responding to reported burglary or robbery alarms should consider the probability that the