Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 12/09/2021 12/09/2021
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
________ _______ ____ _______ ____
449 – Department Issued PCDs 1 POLICY 449 DEPARTMENT -ISSUED PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
DEVICES
449.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of mobile telephones and
communication devices issued by the department while on -duty or when used fo r authorized
work -related purposes.
This policy generically refers to all such devices as Personal Communication Devices (PCDs) but
is intended to include all cellular phones, laptop computers with mobile data access, Bluetooth
technology devices, wireles s-capable tablets , and similar wireless two -way communications
and/or portable internet access devices. PCD use includes, but is not limited to, placing and
receiving calls, text messaging, blogging and microblogging, emailing, using video or camera
featur es, playing games , and accessing sites or services on the internet.
449.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 41.3.7 , 83.2.2
This policy pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
449.2 POLICY
The Tustin Police Department allows employees to utilize department -issued PCDs subject to
certain limitations. Any department -issued PCD used while on -duty, or used off -duty in any
manner reasonably related to the business of the department , will be subject to monitoring and
inspection consistent with the standards set forth in this policy.
The inappropriate use of a PCD while on -duty may impair officer safety. Additionally, employees
are advised and cautioned that the use of any PCD either on -duty or after duty hours for
business -related purposes may subject the employee and the employee’s PCD records to civil or
criminal discovery or disclosure under the California Public Records Act .
449.3 PRIVACY EXPECTATION
Employees forfeit any expec tation of privacy with regard to any communication accessed,
transmitted, received or reviewed on any PCD issued by the department and shall have no
expectation of privacy in their location should the device be equipped with location detection
capabilitie s (see the Department Technology Use Policy for additional guidance).
449.4 CALIFORNIA ELECTRONI C COMMUNICATIONS PRI VACY ACT
No employee is authorized to be the sole possessor of a department -issued PCD. Department -
issued PCDs can be retrieved, re assigned, accessed or used by any employee as directed by a
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 12/09/2021 12/09/2021
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
________ _______ ____ _______ ____
449 – Department Issued PCDs 2 supervisor without notice. Employee use of a department -issued PCD at work or for work -related
business constitutes specific consent for access for department purposes.
449.5 PERSONAL USE O F MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Department members shall not load, download, or install any mobile application or software onto
department -issued PCDs without express written permission from the Professional Standards
Division Commander. Unique identifiers which ar e primarily used to access personal accounts or
online services shall not be added or saved onto any department -issued PCD . Unique personal
identifiers include but are not limited to: Apple IDs, user IDs, usernames, account numbers, email
addresses, passw ords, etc.
449.6 DEPARTMENT -ISSUED PCD
Depending on an employee’s assignment and the needs of the position, the department may, at
its discretion, issue a PCD. Department -issued PCDs are provided as a convenience to facilitate
work -related duties only. Such devices and the associated telephone number shall remain the
sole property of the department and shall be subject to inspection or monitoring (including all
related records and content) at any time without notice and without cause.
449.7 USE OF DEPARTMENT -ISSUED PCD
The following protocols shall apply to all department -issued PCDs that are carried while on -duty
or used to conduct department business:
a. Any passwords or user IDs created specifically for a department -issued PCD, shall not be
deleted or changed without the express written permission from the Professional
Standards Division Commander.
b. A department -issued carrier shall provide reasonable protection from physical and
environmental damage.
c. All PCDs in the workplace should be set to silent o r vibrate mode for officer safety
reasons. At the officer’s discretion, it may be necessary to receive an audible alert and
care should be taken that it not interfere with their safety or the safety of other officers.
d. A department -issued PCD should not be used to conduct personal business , while on -
duty, except for brief personal communications or extenuating circumstances .
e. Employees may use a PCD to communicate with other personnel in situations where the
use of radio communications is either impracticabl e or not feasible. PCDs should not be
used as a substitute for, as a way to avoid, or in lieu of regular radio communications.
f. Employees are prohibited from taking pictures, audio or video recordings or making
copies of any such picture or recording media unless it is directly related to official
department business. Disclosure or dissemination of any such informatio