Miami-Dade Police Department Driving Procedures PDF

MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHAPTER 30 - PART 01 - DRIVING PROCEDURES Published 06/01/2023 SECTION 1 I. GENERAL: [CALEA 41.2.1] II. RESPONSE MODES: [CALEA 41.2.1] A. Emergency Response: B. Rout...

MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHAPTER 30 - PART 01 - DRIVING PROCEDURES Published 06/01/2023 SECTION 1 I. GENERAL: [CALEA 41.2.1] II. RESPONSE MODES: [CALEA 41.2.1] A. Emergency Response: B. Routine Response: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 30.01.1  CHAPTER 30 - PART 01 - DRIVING PROCEDURES SECTION 1 I. GENERAL: [CALEA 41.2.1] No vehicle, marked or unmarked, shall be operated in an emergency response mode unless specifically authorized by radio signal or a supervisor. The vehicle must be properly equipped with, and make use of, audible and visible emergency signal devices. When engaged in an emergency response or a pursuit in the performance of official duties, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles are granted exemptions from certain traffic laws by Florida Statutes; however, the exemptions do not relieve drivers from exercising due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such exemptions protect drivers from the consequences of the reckless disregard for the safety of others. All vehicles routinely used for traffic enforcement shall be properly marked and equipped with red and blue emergency lights, siren, hazard warning lights, spotlight, and public address system. [CALEA 41.3.1] II. RESPONSE MODES: [CALEA 41.2.1] A. Emergency Response: Emergency response is operation of a police vehicle, with all emergency equipment activated, in response to authorized information that an actual emergency exists or is believed to exist; i.e., traffic crash involving injury, police officer needing assistance, or felony in progress. 1. There are two types of emergency response: a. Code 3 Emergency: A situation or sudden occurrence which poses an actual threat of serious injury or loss of human life and which demands swift police action; e.g., seriously ill or injured person, shooting, sexual battery, etc. b. Code 2 Emergency: A situation which poses a potential threat of serious injury or loss of human life which may require swift police action; e.g., assault, robbery, or burglary of an occupied structure in progress; hazardous chemical spill; toxic gas leak; serious motor vehicle crash in which the extent of injuries is unknown; etc. 2. Responding in an Emergency Mode: a. Safety, expeditious arrival, and protection of life and property are three primary elements that must be considered in every situation requiring an emergency response. Therefore, extreme care and caution must be exercised whenever an emergency response is initiated. b. Vehicle operators are neither immune from liability nor relieved of responsibility for consequences arising from negligent operation of a police vehicle or from reckless disregard for the safety of others. c. Generally, only authorized recipients of a Code 3 or Code 2 signal from a dispatcher will engage in an emergency response; however, supervisors are authorized to respond in an emergency response mode on their own initiative, but must advise the dispatcher. d. Code 3 emergency calls are preceded by a tone indicator and the signal prefixed by 3. When appropriate, police officers responding to Code 3 emergency calls may exceed the posted speed limit, but not by more than 20 miles per hour. e. Code 2 emergency calls are preceded by a tone indicator and the signal prefixed by 2. Police officers respond to Code 2 emergency calls in the same manner as Code 3 calls and may exceed the posted speed limit, but not by more than 10 miles per hour. f. During an emergency response, emergency signal devices including siren, revolving, or flashing red or blue lights, emergency flashers, and headlights (day or night) shall be activated. Page 30.01.2  CHAPTER 30 - PART 01 - DRIVING PROCEDURES The vehicle operator may proceed past a stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or stopping as may be necessary for safe operation. g. When responding in an emergency mode, emergency signal devices may be deactivated at a distance from the scene (to be determined by the operator) so as not to alert subjects to police presence. When emergency signal devices are deactivated, the operator shall comply with posted speed limits, obey all traffic control devices and signals, and proceed in a manner consistent with normal traffic flow. 3. Back-Up Units: a. Under normal circumstances, dispatchers or supervisors will designate back-up units. However, police officers in the vicinity of the activity may request designation as back-up units from the dispatcher or supervisor. b. In emergency situations requiring back-up units, the dispatcher will specifically designate the back-up unit by transmitting a corresponding 2-15 or 3-15 signal to the back-up unit. Responding units must maintain communications in order to avoid the hazard of traveling intersecting routes. The first unit to arrive at the scene will promptly advise of arrival and advise if conditions warrant continued response of other units in an emergency response mode. 4. Discretionary Use of Emergency Signal Devices: a. Under normal circumstances, police personnel may not activate audible or visible emergency signal devices without authorization. However, when an officer becomes aware of a serious incident meeting the criteria of an emergency, he may advise the dispatcher and request authorization to respond in the appropriate emergency mode. b. Other than emergency situations, when expediency is required to effectively eliminate potential hazard to the public, police officers may activate emergency signal devices to warn the motoring public, cyclists, and pedestrians, and to allow orderly and safe transit through heavily congested roadways. Under such circumstances, extreme caution must be exercised, and strict observance of posted speed limits and traffic control devices and signals is required. The dispatcher will be advised of actions taken as soon as practicable. c. Emergency signal devices may be activated during the conduct of routine traffic enforcement activities. B. Routine Response: Routine response is the operation of a police vehicle, without activating emergency equipment, in response to a situation of a nature which does not pose an immediate threat to human life and does not require extraordinary measures. 1. Routine response calls are dispatched to units without tone indicator, prefix, or suffix. 2. Police personnel shall respond to routine calls in a manner consistent with the normal traffic flow and must observe all posted speed limits, traffic control devices, and signals. Page 30.01.3