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Operational Procedures and Equipment Specifications for Speed Measuring Devices

• The Port St. Lucie Police Department will use speed measuring devices in high-crash locations, areas with prevalent speed limit violations, in response to citizen complaints, and for traffic studies and surveys.
• The devices used must be approved in the Florida Administrative Code and include six specific units.
• Officers assigned to traffic enforcement should always have a speed measuring device in their patrol vehicles.
• Speed measuring devices will be assigned to officers at the discretion of the Neighborhood Policing Bureau division commander or their designee.
• Officers can only use devices they are certified to operate by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
• Officers must calibrate the unit at the beginning and end of their shift and report any malfunctions to their supervisor.
• Radar devices require a daily internal calibration check, a tuning fork check, and a verification of the speedometer and radar patrol speed.
• To identify a violator, officers must visually estimate the vehicle's speed, obtain an audio Doppler tone, and observe the digital readout.
• Laser devices require a daily internal calibration check, a light segment check, and a distance and alignment check.
• To identify a violator, officers must visually estimate the vehicle's speed, place the targeting reticle on the vehicle, and obtain a steady audio tone indicating target acquisition.
• All speed measuring devices must be professionally tested for accuracy every six months and any inoperative devices must be repaired and tested promptly.
• Officers must handle the equipment carefully and report any defects to their supervisor. Training and certification are required before using any device to issue speeding citations.