doc_1835960

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: November 23, 2023  Rescinds  Amends 9.2 (October 4, 2018 ) Number: 9.2 SUBJECT: Vehicle Assignments and Maintenance Print Date: 11/23/23 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish regulations for vehicle assignments , take -home vehicles , and the maintenance of vehicles utilized by agency members . 2. Policy It is the policy of the Windermere Police Department to make vehicle assignments that improve overall efficiency of the department and provide for the most effective operation. Individually assigned vehicles are a privilege and not a right. Agency vehicles shall be kept in a state of readiness and properly maintained. 3. Procedures A. Vehicle Assignments 1. Vehicle assignments will be assigned according to the needs of the agency and vehicle availability. Assignment and reassignment of age ncy vehicles will be determined by the Chief of Police or designee. 2. Operators of agency vehicles shall conform to all Federal, State and County motor vehicle laws. 9.2, Page 2 3. Operators of agency vehicles shall possess a valid Florida Driver’s License. Super visors shall conduct an annual inspection of subordinates for such validation. 4. Agency personnel whose driving privileges have been revoked or suspended shall immediately report the revocation or suspension to the Chief of Police via chain of command. 5. Members shall exercise good judgment when using assigned vehicles. Vehicle s will not be operated in such a manner that will cause unfavorable comment or reflect discredit upon the agency. 6. Members shall report any improper conduct on the part of another member operating an assigned vehicle. 7. Off-duty employees may have personal liability exposure for traffic crashes occurring while driving agency vehicles. Therefore, they should carefully examine their personally owned auto insurance polici es to ensure they are covered while operat ing an agency vehicle while off duty, including but not limited to driving to and fro m work, driving to and from off duty jobs, and other personal uses permitted by agency policy. Windermere Police Department personnel concerned about potential liability may wish to contact their insurance company for additional information and obtain their own coverage for personal use of a WPD vehicle. B. Full Use Classification Agency members designated by the Chief as primary recall personnel shall have full use of an agency vehicle both on and off duty. Members may use the agency vehicle for personal travel within the contiguous counties. The purpose of the full use of a take -home vehicle is to allow for a rapid respons e to a variety of law enforcement situations requiring a specific rank or skill set possessed by the member. 1. The following members are given full use take -home vehicle privileges. These pr ivileges can be revoked, or granted to other members, at the discretion of t he Chief of Police or designee. a. Chief of Police b. Deputy Chief c. Sergeant 9.2, Page 3 d. Detective C. Limited Use Classification 1. Unless designated otherwise by the Chief of Police , all personnel assigned an agency vehicle with full use of their vehicle are considered to have limited use of the vehicle. 2. Agency members with limited use of their assigned vehicle may only use it to drive to and from work, training class es, authorized special detail s, off- duty employment, or criminal justice proceeding s. All other use is prohibited, unless approved by the Chief or designee. D. Take -home Vehicle Mileage and Usage Reimbursement 1. Take -home vehicles are a benefit to the user. In order to be fiscally responsible, the following usage reimbursements apply to non -exempt members: a. Zero to 10 miles outside the Town of Windermere limits is free. b. 10 to 20 miles outside the Town Limits is assessed at $10.00 per pay period. c. 20 to 30 miles outside the Town Limits is assessed at $20.00 per pay period. d. 30 miles will be the maximum mileage allowable for non -exempt members. e. Outside the Town limits will be assessed by "air miles" to the member’s residence. 2. The Deputy C hief will be responsible annually for ensuring the proper mileage is assessed through the use of any technological open source resources. a. Whenever an immediate supervisor is notified of an employee who is assigned an agency vehicle has changed address es, the immediate supervisor shall verify the new address and confirm the appropriate mileage and usage reimbursement has been submitted to the Deputy Chief. 9.2, Page 4 3. Any reimbursement fees paid by the agency member will not be governed by his/her assigned ve hicle’s status, such as down time or other contingencies. 4. The patrol supervisor shall notify Human Resources (HR) of the non -use of an agency member’s assigned vehicle due to a member’s light duty status that is in excess of thirty (30) days. E. Restric tions on use 1. Agency members whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked shall not operate an agency vehicle. Agency members who are under disciplinary suspension or disciplinary probation are not eligible to take an agency vehicle home. 2. Agency members on light or no