200.012 - INSPECTIONS AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT FOR MARKED UNITS.docx

Rescinds: 02/17/17 Effective: 02/15/22 Revision No.: 6 Accreditation Standards: CONTENTS: This procedure consists of the following numbered sections: PURPOSE SCOPE DISCUSSION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DESIGNATED UNITS MAINTENANCE PURPOSE This Standard Operating Procedure will establish guidelin...

Rescinds: 02/17/17 Effective: 02/15/22 Revision No.: 6 Accreditation Standards: CONTENTS: This procedure consists of the following numbered sections: PURPOSE SCOPE DISCUSSION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DESIGNATED UNITS MAINTENANCE PURPOSE This Standard Operating Procedure will establish guidelines for the inspection of Neighborhood Policing Bureau vehicles and a policy for authorization, installation, and inventory of personal and departmental equipment. SCOPE This Standard Operating Procedure will apply to all sworn personnel utilizing department issued vehicles in the Neighborhood Policing Bureau (N.P.B.). DISCUSSION An officer’s safety and ability to perform his or her tasks are primary with the agency, and the operational condition of the police vehicles and equipment assigned to the Neighborhood Patrol are of the utmost importance. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Inspection: Prior to beginning his or her tour of duty, the officer will visually inspect his vehicle for any safety deficiencies, damage, contraband, and operational condition of all related equipment. Safety: The officer will, at a minimum, inspect the following for proper function prior to going on duty at the beginning of a shift: Tires – Proper inflation and tread wear is sufficient. Brakes – Checked by pumping the pedal after the engine has been started. Additional checking should be conducted before the unit is driven out of the parking compound. Emergency brake - Engage the emergency brake to determine if operational. Headlights – low beam and high beam Turn signals – left and right; front and rear. Brake lights Windshield wipers – operational and not worn. Horn – operational. Seatbelts – operational Four-way flasher – front and rear; operational. Spotlight – operational. Emergency lights – front, rear, takedown, and alley. Siren and P.A. system – operational. Wig-Wag lights, if applicable. Backup lights Interior dome lights, if applicable – operational. Radios, mobile and portable Shotgun, long gun / less lethal shotgun and ammunition, if applicable. If any deficiencies are discovered, the shift supervisor will be immediately notified. If the deficiency is determined to be a safety problem, the unit will be sent to First Vehicle Services for repairs and the supervisor will assign another vehicle in the meanwhile. Equipment: The following equipment is assigned to the patrol vehicle and should be checked for accessibility and proper function/expiration at the start of the shift. Fire extinguisher – The fire extinguisher should be fully charged and accessible in case of a fire. First aid kit – Each vehicle shall contain a standard first aid kit containing current supplies. Disposable gloves should also be readily available Personal protective equipment – Each vehicle shall contain a communicable disease kit. Disposable blanket – Each vehicle shall contain a minimum of one emergency blanket. Fingerprint kit – The fingerprint kit will contain, at minimum, fingerprint powder, a fingerprint brush, lifting tape, and fingerprint cards. Flares – Each vehicle will contain a minimum of five (5) road flares. During normal business hours, replenishment of the above items can be made by requesting the item(s) through the Fleet and Radio Coordinator or through the Purchasing Section. In cases when the Fleet and Radio Coordinator or Purchasing personnel are not available, or if replenishment is needed after normal business hours, officers should notify their supervisor so arrangements can be made for the item to be replaced as soon as possible. Seat belts will be worn at all times while the vehicle is in operation. Damage: Vehicles will be inspected for any interior or exterior damage. Should any damage be noted, the super- visor will be notified immediately and the same documented in a memorandum prior to the officer assuming patrol. The shift supervisor will conduct an inquiry to determine who was previously assigned the vehicle and ascertain if the previous driver had any knowledge of the damage. After the completion of the inquiry, the supervisor will make a report to the appropriate division commander. A Report of Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Property may be required as indicated in General Guideline #922 – Agency-Owned Property. Contraband: Each officer will inspect the interior of his or her assigned vehicle for weapons and contraband at the start and end of every shift as well as after transporting any detainee. The rear seat will be removed (if applicable) and inspected. Any contraband discovered will be immediately reported to the shift supervisor. DESIGNATED UNITS Securing of Vehicles: All vehicles will be left free of trash. All spare vehicles will be fully fueled prior to securing the vehicle in the police parking lot at the conclusion of the shift. Take home vehicles will not be left with less than 3/4 tank of gas at the end of the shift. All vehicles will be locked when securing the vehicle in the police parking lot. All sergeants and officers will drive marked patrol vehicles when performing routine and general patrol. Officers assigned to specialized assignments or details requiring the use of unmarked vehicles may utilize such vehicles with the approval of a Neighborhood Policing Bureau shift lieutenant. MAINTENANCE First Vehicle Services is responsible for conducting preventative maintenance and repairs on all police department vehicles. Repairs will include the installation and/or removal of any authorized personal equipment. No personal equipment will be installed without proper authorization. Standard preventive maintenance of vehicles is scheduled by First Vehicle Services. The schedule will be provided to the Fleet and Radio Coordinator for distribution. Maintenance of vehicles occurring outside the established preventive maintenance schedule can be accomplished by making a request to First Vehicle Services indicating the date and type of maintenance which needs to be conducted. Assistant Chief Richard DelToro Neighborhood Policing Bureau Chief