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General Order B -30 Page 1 of 10 Department Vehicles TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE : 04/29/2005 FILE INDEX NO. : B-30 SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT VEHICLES INDEX AS: SAME AS ABOVE RESCINDS: REVISES: B -30 DATE REVIS ED: 07/31/2023 DISTRIBUTION : ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines for the operation of department vehicles by members . II. SCOPE: All members III. DISCUSSION: At the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee, the assignment and distribution of vehicles to departme nt members made based on providing service to the community and properly managing the fleet of department vehicles. Department vehicles are highly visible symbols of the City of Temple Terrace, and the operation of such vehicles is always under scrutiny b y the public. Members are expected to operate vehicles in a manner that is a credit to themselves and the agency. The Temple Terrace Police Department Vehicle General Order is applicable to all forms of ground -based motorized con veyanc es, and waterborne vessels owned or leased by the department , including all special purpose vehicles. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Assigned Vehicle - A department -owned or leased vehicle that is assigned specifically to one individual for use in routine duty or specialty unit assignments. B. Personal Patrol Vehicle (PPV) - A department -owned or leased vehicle that an employee may drive to and from work and to any other function as authorized by the chief of police or his/her designee. C. Authorized Passengers - Sworn law enforcement personnel, persons in custody, citizens requiring official services, and persons specifically authorized by the chief of police or his/her designee. D. Fleet Vehicle - A marked or unmarked department vehicle not specifically assigned to any one person but ma intained as a daily replacement for any assigned vehicle in for repairs; or for use on a daily basis by members not otherwise assigned a PPV. E. Marked Vehicle - A vehicle that bears the department name and official graphics design. General Order B -30 Page 2 of 10 Department Vehicles F. Monthly Vehicle Inspection Form – A form used by supervisors when performing monthly inspections of a member’s assigned vehicle. G. Modification - Any temporary or permanent alteration, adjustment, addition, or deletion to any department vehicle. Modification s include gun racks, lights, hitches, radio , tape equipment, or the modification of any standard equipment. H. Police Vehicle - A vehicle owned or leased by the department. I. Staff/Special Assignment Vehicles - A department vehicle assigned to an individual for use on a 24 -hour basis including personal use. Staff and special assignment vehicles will be limited to those members, required by their job responsibilities, to be available on an “on -call” basis for assignment as needed. The chief of police or his/her d esignee will authorize the assignment and limitations of the use of these vehicles. J. Unmarked Vehicle - Any department vehicle that does not bear the department name and markings. K. Vehicle Inspection Form - A form used by supervisors when performing semi -annual line inspections of a member’s assigned equipment and/or vehicles. V. PROCEDURES: A. Department mem bers are responsi ble for the care, use, and operation of department vehicles (whether fleet or take home) which are under their control. B. Members of the Temple Terrace Police De partment are to operate depart ment vehi cles in a safe and skillful man ner with in the guidelines of depart ment directives, city rules and regulations , and Florida State Stat utes. De partment mem bers will observe all normal safe driving prac tices, includ ing obe dience to all traffic laws and basic rules of cour tesy and safety, except as autho rized by law while responding to an emergen cy call, pur suing a vehi cle, or attempting to stop a traffic vio lator. C. Only au thorized members of the department may operate depart ment vehicles. All such authorized department members must possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license. D. Members are only to initiate the use of departmen t vehicles to perform their official duties. Department vehicles are not to be used for private or personal purposes unless so autho rized by the provisions of this general order, or specifically by the chief of police or his/her designee. 1. It is recognized that a lim ited amount of inci dental p ersonal use of a department vehicle may be required during traveling to and from work, for those members who conduct their daily work in or from a vehicle , and for those members who are on department autho rized trav el. E. Unless otherwise authorized by the chief of police, only sworn members shall operate emergency equipment (lights & siren) in department vehicles. F. Department vehicles shall only be operated by members in an authorized uniform or appropriately attired in sl acks or shorts and casual shirts. Tank -top shirts, thong shoes, cut-offs, short shorts , or other unprofessional -looking clothing shall not be worn while operating department vehicles. 1. Sworn members operating a marked vehicle while not in uniform must hav e an agency -issued shirt or jacket with insignia available that will be worn when exiting the patrol vehicle to take police action