Policy Text
#213
RESOLUTION NO.: 2019-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND EL PORTAL,
FLORIDA VILLAGE COUNCIL, ADOPTING POLICE
OFFICER TAKE HOME VEHICLE POLICY AND
PROCEDURES; AND PROVIDNG FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the El Portal, Florida Village Council has studied the issue of Police Officer
take home motor vehicles; and
WHEREAS, a take home motor vehicle policy provides effective guidelines and rules to
maintain these Village resources in a consistent, predictable, and reliable manner to serve the
Village as tools for the accomplishment of assigned duties and responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to adopt a take home vehicle policy to ensure the
proper utilization of the Village's vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PORTAL FLORIDA
VILLAGE COUNCIL, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. That each of the above-stated recitals are hereby adopted,
confirmed, and incorporated herein.
Section 2.
Approval of Police Officer Take Home Vehicle Policy and Procedures.
The Village Council hereby approves the Police Officer Take Home Motor Vehicle Policy and
Procedures, all as set forth in Attachment "A."
Section 3.
Authorization. That the Village Council hereby authorizes the Village
Manager and Chief of Police to execute any purchase order or required documentation for the
expenditures described in this Resolution, subject to approval by the Village Attorney as to form
and legality, and to take any action which is reasonably necessary to implement the purpose of this
Resolution.
adoption
Section 4. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
:
EXHIBIT A
VILLAGE OF EL PORTAL
POLICE OFFICER TAKE HOME MOTOR VEHICLE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The Village of El Portal ("Village") shall provide take home motor vehicles ("vehicles") for
Police Officers beginning on July 23, 2019 through 2020 ("Pilot Period"). Ah employee with a
take home vehicle shall follow the following provisions:
1.
Only Village Officers, possessing a valid State of Florida driver's license
appropriate for the vehicle, are authorized to operate Village vehicles.
2.
Officers shall not operate a Village vehicle while under the influence of
drugs or alcohol.
3.
Officers shall not transport any persons other than Village Officers in a
Village vehicle, except in the course of official business. This includes pets, but
excludes Village authorized patrol animals.
4. Officers and authorized passengers are expected to observe all traffic
regulations, including seatbelt usage, and all policies and procedures of the
Village, while operating a take home vehicle.
5. All incidents involving Village vehicles must be reported to the law
enforcement office of the appropriate jurisdiction, and the Officer's supervisor
immediately. Officers with take home vehicles will provide copies of any
accident reports, citations, etc., concerning the vehicle or its operation, to the
supervisor, who will file an incident report and contact the Village insurance
company.
6. Officers will not operate their vehicles in such a way as to cause public
criticism or nuisance. This includes vehicle parking when not in use.
7.
Officers are expressly prohibited from making any cosmetic or
mechanical modifications to any Village owned vehicle without the approval of
the Police Chief. The Police Chief reserves the right to remove any or all
modifications that may impair the vehicles safety or usefulness and or
cosmetic changes that are not in keeping with Village policy.
1
8.
Take home vehicles may only be used for personal purposes on a de
minimis basis, such as an occasional use for a personal errand while using the take
home vehicle for a business purpose or during a commute to or from work.
9. Unattended take home vehicles shall be legally parked and locked at all
times, except in emergency circumstances. Officers shall not leave sensitive
information or public documents (other than reference material), and firearms
anywhere in the vehicle, including the trunk, while off duty.
10. Alcoholic beverages or unlawful drugs will not be placed in the take home
vehicle, unless, as in the case of law enforcement Officers only, confiscated in the
line of duty. While operating the vehicle, Officers are prohibited from patronizing
package stores or any establishment, which may result in public criticism.
11.
Smoking is prohibited in all Village-owned or leased vehicles.
12. Scheduled maintenance will be coordinated with the Police Chief or
his/her Designee at the Village's expense. Officers will be responsible for
routine maintenance, such as checking the tire pressure, all fluid levels etc.
Officers may be subject to disciplinary action for failing to maintain their take
home vehicle in proper working order or if there are signs of mechanical abuse
or uncleanliness. No compensation will be made for any maintenance
performed off duty. Take home vehicles should be fueled at the Village's
approved Miami Dade County Fleet Maintenance fueling stations, whenever
practical. Unless in the course of a disaster, reimbursement for any other fuel
purchase may be denied. The take home vehicle use may be suspended for: 1)
Uncleanliness; 2) Failing Inspection; 3) allowing non-Officers to operate the
vehicle or 4) Mechanical Abuse in accordance with the following:
First and Second Incidents: Verbal Warning
Third Incident: One Week Suspension
Fourth Incident: Two Week Suspension
Fifth Incident: One Month Suspension
More than Fifth Incident: As determined by the Chief of Police
Additionally, Officers involved in two or more preventable accidents in a 12-
month period may have their take home vehicle use suspended until 12
months has passed