go-66.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Vehicle Assignment and Operations CHIEF OF POLICE Proudly Policing Since Signature on File Nationally Accredited 1841 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 66 05/18/1986 05/15/2024 24 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES COT Administrative Policy 705, Alcohol and Drugs COT Administrative Policy 732, Motor Vehicle … Operations COT Administrative Policy 803, Assigned Vehicle Policy COT/PBA Agreement, Articles 24 (Residency Requirements) and 31 (Take Home Vehicles) Critical Incident Response Checklists General Order 33, Jurisdiction, Mutual Aid, and Investigative Task Forces General Order 35, Line Inspections Florida Statute 316.065 Florida Statute 316.066 ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 41, 61 CFA Chapter 14 KEY WORD INDEX Assigned/Take Home Vehicles Procedures III & IV Assignment Procedures Procedure I & Appendix One Department Facility Parking Procedure V Maintenance, Towing and Repairs Procedure VI Required Equipment for Patrol Vehicles Procedure VII Traffic Crashes Procedures X – XII Traffic Incidents Procedures IX & XI Vehicle Inspections Procedure VIII Vehicle Operation Procedures Procedure II\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY The Department is responsible for establishing guidelines for the assignment and operation of Department vehicles, and members shall operate and maintain Department vehicles in compliance with Florida Statutes, City of Tallahassee policies, and Department directives. DEFINITIONS Assigned Vehicle: Any Department vehicle properly designated for use by a member. Deadlined: The status of a Department vehicle that is out of service. Department Vehicle: Any motor vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the City of Tallahassee and assigned to the Department. Marked Patrol Vehicle: Any Department vehicle painted or custom-wrapped in the manner approved by the Chief of Police designed to be easily recognized as a Department vehicle. Off-duty: When members are not engaged in on-duty employment activity. On-duty: When members are working their regular duty assignment, or any special assignment compensated by the Department. Take Home Vehicle Program: A privilege offered to members who meet certain residency requirements, allowing them to park their assigned vehicles at home. Temporarily Assigned Vehicle: A Department vehicle properly assigned to a member for temporary use while the member’s assigned vehicle is deadlined, being serviced or detailed, or otherwise not usable by the member. Temporary Modified Duty: A short-term work assignment that changes the member’s normal job duties, enabling them to engage in work for the Department while recovering from an injury or ailment (previously referred to as light duty). Traffic Crash: Any unintentional crash involving a motor vehicle in transport (in motion, in readiness for motion, or on a highway), including on public or private property that results in death, injury, or property damage. Traffic Incident: The Department designation for a traffic crash involving a Department member operating a Department vehicle that meets specific criteria. GENERAL ORDER 66 PAGE 2 of 24 VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT AND OPERATIONS May 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Work-related Travel: The act of traveling outside of the four-county area of Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties for a purpose authorized by the Department (regardless of the length of travel time, expenses incurred, or reimbursement requested). PROCEDURES I. DEPARTMENT VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES A. Vehicles shall be assigned in accordance with applicable City of Tallahassee (COT) policy, and in a manner which ensures maximum utilization toward the Department’s mission. B. In addition to the procedure of subsection A above, vehicle assignment to sworn members shall be done in accordance with Appendix One. C. The Administrative Services Bureau (ASB) Commander shall ensure vehicles are assigned to each bureau and the Office of the Chief based upon operational needs. D. Bureau Commanders may make further assignments within their bureaus based upon operational needs. E. The Watch Commander may make temporary vehicle assignments as necessary based upon operational needs. F. The ASB Commander shall maintain a current list of all Department vehicles and their assigned tag numbers. II. VEHICLE OPERATION PROCEDURES General Procedures – A. Members shall operate a Department vehicle only when: 1. Authorized to do so by a supervisor or other competent authority, or 2. An exigent circumstance or operational need exists for the use of the vehicle. B. A member operating a Department vehicle shall: 1. Possess a valid driver license with the appropriate endorsement for the vehicle driven, 2. Wear the vehicle seat belt, GENERAL ORDER 66 PAGE 3 of 24 VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT AND OPERATIONS May 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 3. Obey applicable traffic statutes, Department and COT policy, 4. Operate the vehicle with due care for life and property, 5. Report traffic crashes and traffic incidents to appropriate authorities and Department supervisors, 6. Report vehicle mechanical problems to appropriate personnel, and 7. Operate the vehicle in accordance with their duty assignment. C. Members shall abide by the protocols of General Order 4 (Appearance and Uniform Regulations) when operating a Department vehicle. D. Members shall ensure their assigned vehicle displays the authorized COT license plate unless an exception has been granted by the Chief of Police or designee. E. Members shall ensure their assigned vehicle is secured when unattended (unless an emergency situation necessitates such action). F. Only COT-issued or COT-purchased fuel, oil, lubricants, and additives are permitted for use in a Department vehicle (except those items needed for continued vehicle operation during work-related travel). G. Repairs and maintenance of Department vehicles shall be completed by only COT authorized maintenance facilities. H. When transporting a non-member in a Department vehicle (e.g., transporting to a medical or detention facility, providing a stranded motorist a ride), the member shall advise the CDA of the following over the police radio: 1. Transport and intended destination, 2. Gender, race, and whether the person is an adult or a juvenile, and 3. Starting and ending vehicle odometer reading. Prohibitions – I. Members are not authorized to operate a marked patrol vehicle while on temporary modified duty. J. Members shall not smoke or use tobacco products while occupying a Department vehicle. GENERAL ORDER 66 PAGE 4 of 24 VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT AND OPERATIONS May 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT K. Members shall not possess or transport alcoholic beverages, pornography, or illicit drugs in a Department vehicle except for legitimate law enforcement purposes. L. Members shall not use a Department vehicle in any manner, to include the transportation of any item in or on the vehicle, when such action would be in violation of statute or ordinance or could bring discredit to the COT, Department or the policing profession. M. Members in a Department vehicle shall not play video games or watch television/movies or videos except when sanctioned by the Department for training. N. Members are not authorized to alter the body, general design, appearance or markings, mechanical or electrical systems of a Department vehicle without approval of the Chief of Police or designee. O. Members shall not leave a disabled Department vehicle unattended on any street or parking area (except approved vehicle maintenance locations) for any extended period of time. P. Members shall not leave confidential or sensitive law enforcement related materials in plain view within a Department vehicle. Q. Members shall not allow other persons (members or non-members) to operate their assigned vehicle unless: 1. The