doc_2672000

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: November 02, 202 5  Rescinds  Amends 6.4 (October 20, 202 2) Number: 6. 4 SUBJECT: Traffic Operations Print Date: 11/02/25 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 guidelines and procedures for handling all aspects of traffic enforcement and control, as well as traffic crash investigations . 2. Policy It will be the responsibility of all sworn personnel to enforce traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations of the State of Florida based on training , policy , and experience . Traffic direction and control are undertaken by sworn and civilian members to guide and restrict the movement of pedestrians and motorists. 3. Procedures A. General Procedures 1. A traffic stop may be the only contact between the citizens and the officers of the Windermere Police Department and , therefore , may significantly influence community relations. 6.4, Page 2 a. When an officer makes contact with the driver, the officer should identify themselves and advise the reason for the stop unless exigent circumsta nces exist. b. Citations shall be completed in accordance with D.H.S.M.V. Uniform Traffic Citation Procedures Manual . c. The violator must be provided his/her copy of the citation 1. The citation must be signed by the officer 2. All required information must be completed 2. Officers shall use caution when conducting traffic stops 3. Florida Statute 316.640 authorizes and requires municipal police departments to enforce state and local traffic laws within their respective jurisdictions. All sworn officers are authorized and shall enforce traffic laws. 4. No officer shall issue a citation or make an arrest without probable cause to believe that a law violation has occurred. Dispositions for traffic stops include: a. Verbal Warning b. Written Warning c. Issuance of a Flo rida Uniform Traffic Citation d. Arrest 5. Officers shall take into account the following guidelines in deciding whether to issue a citation: a. Weather conditions b. Traffic conditions and volume c. Traffic crash histor y 6.4, Page 3 d. Roadway conditions e. Citizen complaint s 6. Officers shall actively and vigorously enforce child and adult restraint violations . 7. Citations shall be completed in accordance with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Uniform Traffic Citation Procedures manual. a. Officers shall be trained on the proper issuance of a citation in accordance with the directives set forth in the manual. b. A copy of the manual shall be available electronically. c. Warning citations shall be completed in accordance with department policy . 8. All unmarked or unconventional vehicles used for traffic enforcement shall be equipped with emergency lighting equipment and audible devices in accordance with Florida State Statutes. 9. Plain -clothes officers may conduct traffic stops but shall be aware of a violator’s possible concerns about being stopped by an unmarked vehicle and non -uniformed officer. a. Officers in plain clothes shall clearly identify themselves to the violator . b. Should a violator display any reservations as to the officer’s identity the plai n-clothes officer shall immediately summon a marked patrol vehicle and uniformed officer for assistance . 10. The towing of all vehicles shall be documented on the Vehicle Tow Receipt (commonly known as the Tow Sheet). The following information shall be provid ed: a. Date and time of the tow [18.13M(a & b)] b. Location to which the vehicle is towed to and from [18.13M(c & g)] 6.4, Page 4 c. Name of the officer initiating the tow [18.13M( d)] d. Reason for the tow [18.13M(e)] e. Name of the towing service (Wrecker Company) utilized to tow the vehicle [18.13M(f)] f. Notification or attempts to notify the registered owner [18.13M(h)] g. Inventory or contents of the vehicle [18.13M(i)] h. Placing and/or removal of any holds on the vehicle [18.13M(j)] 1. In the event a hold needs to be placed on a vehicle, the officer shall call their immediate supervisor for approval. Any supervisor, the Chief of Police or his designee has the authority to place a hold on a vehicle for the circumstances ranging from but not limited to vehicles that have any evidentiary value and/or are used in the commission of a felony. 2. Removal of vehicle holds shall be done by the Chief of Police or his designee. i. NCIC/FCIC information shall be checked on all vehicles towed and the information entered on the form. [18.13M(k)] 11. Officers encounter stranded motorists continuingly . When encountering a stranded motorist, the following procedures shall apply: a. Officers must evaluate the circumstances surrounding each situation in deciding as to the assistance required. The following shall be taken into consideration: 1. Officer safety 2. The sex, age, physical and mental condi tion of the motorist 3. The location, weather conditions, traffic density , and time of day 6.4, Page 5 4. The type of vehicle and how or why it is