Broward County Sheriff's Policy Manual: Vehicle Escorts PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 7.12 USE OF VEHICLE FOR ESCORT 7.12.1 General: A. BSO receives routine requests for escort services such as funerals, oversize loads, and hazardous or unusual cargoes. B. The purpose of this policy is to ensure escort details are pe...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 7.12 USE OF VEHICLE FOR ESCORT 7.12.1 General: A. BSO receives routine requests for escort services such as funerals, oversize loads, and hazardous or unusual cargoes. B. The purpose of this policy is to ensure escort details are performed by trained deputies in a safe and efficient manner. C. Requests for escort details will be referred to the Special Details Office (SDO) Manager or designee, who is responsible for escort assignments. D. In the Department of Law Enforcement, requests for escorts of emergency vehicles will be directed to the road patrol supervisor. The disposition of the request will be noted on the deputy’s CAD notes. In the Department of Detention, escorts of emergency vehicles will be approved by the Shift Commander and noted in the Jail Management System. 7.12.2 Escort Detail Training: A. Deputies wishing to become escort certified will attend a two (2) hour escort detail course provided by BSO Motors Unit. B. BSO Motors Unit Instructors will be responsible for training deputies the skills necessary to conduct various types of escorts. C. Upon successful completion of the course, the BSO Motors Unit Instructors will provide the names of the certified deputies to the Training Division Commander or designee and the SDO Manager or designee who will list the deputies as eligible for escort details. 7.12.3 Special Details Office (SDO) Responsibilities: A. The SDO Manager or designee will be responsible for: 1. Finding qualified deputies to work scheduled escorts 2. Should the SDO receive a complaint regarding a deputy the SDO Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 1 of 6  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL Manager will make the necessary notifications to the deputy’s appropriate command staff. 3. Ensuring deputies confirm hours worked in a timely manner and reviewing total hours worked for overall accuracy 4. Ensuring that all escort requests are processed as soon as possible in order to allow enough time for event planning and coordination of deputies. The SDO Manager or designee will ensure that the following information is obtained: a. Time and date of escort b. Starting location and final destination of the escort c. Name and phone number of the vendor/contact person d. Approximate number of vehicles/pedestrians to be escorted 5. Any escort that will require road closures for an excessive amount of time will require the vendor to contact the affected jurisdictions. All correspondence between the vendor and the involved jurisdiction will be copied to the SDO Manager or designee. 7.12.4 Escort Detail Requirements: A. All escort details require a minimum of two (2) marked BSO vehicles for the first twenty (20) vehicles escorted. 1. One additional marked BSO vehicle will be added to the escort detail for every ten (10) additional vehicles escorted. 2. If the escort requires four (4) deputies to move the escort a supervisor/OIC will be identified and the Regional Traffic Enforcement Unit (RTEU) will be notified. 3. All escort details will require a marked BSO vehicle at the lead and the tail of the escort. Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 2 of 6  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 4. The SDO Manager, after consulting with the Regional Traffic Unit, may require more vehicles be assigned to facilitate a safer and more expeditious traffic flow. 5. An escort sergeant or OIC may delay an escort's originally approved plan if additional marked BSO vehicles are requested to safely complete the escort. 6. The Regional Traffic Lieutenant or designee will be the Point of Contact (POC) for SDO regarding escorts, traffic concerns, and unusual requests (such as escorting twenty (20) buses). 7. All escort details will be limited to Broward County (with the exception of sports team and dignitary escorts as approved by the Sheriff or designee). 8. BSO Motors will be utilized for all dignitary escorts, line of duty death funerals, and events that require special attention (i.e. Religious events) at the direction of the Sheriff or designee. (Refer to Motor Unit SOP) B. Escort details that require traffic direction/control for pedestrian events such as walk-a-thons, marathons, bicycle, and wheelchair events will be reviewed by the SDO Manager and the RTEU designee for a final number of required personnel. 7.12.5 Special Events: A. Any event that is expected to require 10 deputies or more and/or has an expected guest / participant count of 75 or more people shall require a special review and approval by the Administrative Point of Contact and the Special Detail Manager. This will include any escort detail that requires traffic direction/control for pedestrian events such as walk-a-thons, marathons, bicycle, and wheelchair events. 1. Any Special Detail that is reviewed and classified as a Special Event will be charged an Administrative fee of $40 per/hr. not to exceed more than four (4) hours. The Logistical Supervisor will be responsible for communicating with the vendor and the SDO to ensure all requirements and permitting is satisfied prior to final approval. Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 3 of 6  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2. Community Service Aids can be authorized to work non-security, traffic related details at the CSA detail rate for Special Events and will report to the assigned supervisor for the event. B. Once an event is classified as a “Special Event” a Logistical Supervisor for the event will be identified. The supervisor will be responsible for: 1. Securing a radio channel 2. Drafting an Operational Plan 3. Ensuring all deputies are strategically placed in assigned positions/intersections 4. Ensuring that all participants can travel safely and efficiently through the intersection/roadway C. Oversized Load and Hazardous/Unusual Cargo Escorts: 1. Oversized Load and Hazardous/Unusual Cargo Escorts shall be conducted only after proper State/County/City Permit Documentation has been provided to the SDO Manager or designee by the person requesting the escort. 2. If a road closure is necessary, the permit will list the following: a. Affected roadway(s) b. Dates/ times c. Starting point and final destination of the closure 3. All permit(s) will be the sole responsibility of the vendor. a. The Regional Traffic POC will review all vendor supplied documentation to ensure authenticity and validity. b. The escorts shall only be conducted during dates/times authorized by the permit. Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 4 of 6  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 4. A minimum of one (1) tail car and four (4) additional marked units shall be used for each Hazardous or Unusual Cargo Escort. 5. The Event Supervisor shall: a. Pre-select the safest route b. Assure the required numbers of marked units are present c. Notify Communications of the escort d. Secure an operational channel, if necessary 6. Regional Traffic Enforcement POC shall be notified prior to the movement of any hazardous cargo requiring an escort. 7.12.6 BSO Responsibilities Regarding Escort Details: A. BSO assumes responsibility for: 1. Notifying eligible deputies of approved requests for off-duty details 2. Notifying off-duty employers of the names of deputies who accept particular off-duty detail if requested 7.12.7 Escort Prohibited: Deputies will not provide escorts in the following situations: A. No escort plan will be approved or executed combining BSO vehicles with any private escort service or private security agency. B. Employees will be prohibited from using BSO vehicles to provide escort services for civilian vehicles en route to the hospital. Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 5 of 6  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK Reviewed: 04/25/2018 Revised: 04/30/2018 Rescinds: 12/28/2015 Effective: 04/30/2018 7.12 Page 6 of 6