LOJACK Vehicle Recovery System PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.930 LOJACK VEHICLE RECOVERY SYSTEM Revised: October 1, 2007 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this order is to provide to the Boca Raton Police Services Department with information concerning the use of the LOJACK Vehicle Recovery...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.930 LOJACK VEHICLE RECOVERY SYSTEM Revised: October 1, 2007 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this order is to provide to the Boca Raton Police Services Department with information concerning the use of the LOJACK Vehicle Recovery System. II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Department to install the LOJACK system in certain police vehicles to facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles and the possible tracking and apprehension of perpetrators of auto theft. III. DEFINITIONS: LOJACK System: A vehicle recovery system to aid the officer in identifying, tracking, locating, and recovering stolen vehicles. LOJACK Unit: A transponder hidden in a recessed area of the car. IV. PROCEDURE: A. LOJACK SYSTEM OPERATION: 1. The three major components of the LOJACK system are as follows: a. The LOJACK unit transponder hidden in a recessed area of the car b. The Police Tracking Computer installed in a police car c. The Florida Activation System installed at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (D.H.S.M.V.) in Tallahassee with transmitters strategically located around the State. 2. The system is in the Activation Mode when a vehicle is reported as stolen and the proper information is entered into the Florida Crime Information Center (F.C.I.C.) computer. 3. After the F.C.I.C. receives the stolen vehicle information from N.C.I.C., the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is compared to the VIN that is on file in the Florida Activation System's computer. Effective: March 15, 1989 Revised: October 1, 2007 LOJACK Vehicle Recovery System Directive No.41.930 Page 1 of 3 4. If there is a match between the VIN that F.C.I.C. sent to the Florida Activation System's computer, the system broadcasts a unique activation code throughout the State. 5. The code is received by all the LOJACK Units within the State, but only the one that has that unique activation code will respond, turn itself on, and begin transmitting its own unique reply code. 6. The signal is broadcast once every 15 seconds in the activation mode from the time it is activated until it is canceled. 7. In Tracking mode, a signal is broadcast once every second for 30 minutes, after which it reverts to the activation mode or once every 15 seconds. 8. If the vehicle is not recovered before the 30 minutes has expired, the officer tracking the LOJACK signal, will have the dispatcher/teletype operator speed up the signal by entering the speed up format again. B. VEHICLE RECOVERY USING THE LOJACK SYSTEM: 1. When the Department receives information that a stolen vehicle is equipped with a LOJACK Unit, the call-taker, usually an employee in the Communications Center, shall attempt to obtain the necessary information to enter the stolen vehicle into the FCIC/NCIC computer system. 2. If the necessary information is obtained, the Police/Fire Communications Section shall enter it into the system as soon as possible, thus activating the LOJACK Unit. 3. If the call-taker cannot get the necessary information from the complainant, the dispatcher shall notify the responding police unit that the stolen vehicle is equipped with LOJACK, but that the necessary information for a computer entry could not be obtained. 4. The responding officer shall attempt to obtain the necessary information and relay it to the Communications Center so that the entry can be made. 5. When the Police Tracking Computer (PTC) in the police car receives a signal from an activated LOJACK Unit, the alphanumeric read-out will appear on the display head of the tracking unit. 6. Alphanumeric code numbers beginning with "000..." are training units owned by the company and not assigned to customer vehicles. 7. The officer observing the signal will notify the telecommunicator that he is switching to the Teletype channel to query the LOJACK number. 8. The Teletype operator will query the LOJACK number using the correct F.C.I.C. format (SU.REP/#####). 9. The F.C.I.C. computer should respond to the Teletype operator's inquiry with a full description of the stolen vehicle including the make, model, color, year, tag number, and vehicle identification number as well as any pertinent information concerning the vehicle. Effective: March 15, 1989 Revised: October 1, 2007 LOJACK Vehicle Recovery System Directive No.41.930 Page 2 of 3 10. The Teletype operator will immediately supply the police officer making the inquiry with the information received, and broadcast a BOLO to all other units. 11. The officer will attempt to track and locate the stolen vehicle by using the Police Tracking Computer in the police car, which will display the signal strength and the direction of the activated LOJACK Unit. 12. Whenever practical, an officer who receives a signal on a LOJACK Tracking Computer shall arrange to quickly meet with another officer to form a two-person team because officer safety will be increased with one officer navigating and one driving. 13. An officer who is tracking a LOJACK signal shall not leave the City limits unless he/she has a suspect vehicle in sight and receives approval from a supervisor. 14. An officer operating a LOJACK computer installed vehicle may assist a neighboring jurisdiction if specifically requested by that jurisdiction and with supervisor approval. 15. In the event that the target vehicle is occupied at the time it is located, additional assistance should be requested if necessary. 16. To reduce the chance of initiating a high-speed chase, officers should not alert the occupants of the target vehicle until additional backup units have arrived and are in place. 17. Since the LOJACK System is only a tool, the officer shall verify with the telecommunicator that the recovered vehicle is stolen. 18. Upon verification, the officer will request the dispatcher to deactivate the LOJACK Unit in the recovered vehicle via F.C.I.C. 19. The LOJACK Unit in the recovered vehicle will be deactivated when any of the following occurs: a. The TURN-OFF message (TO.REP/#####.) is entered b. The LOCATE VEHICLE message (LV) is entered c. The CANCEL VEHICLE message (CV) is entered and received by the F.C.I.C. computer 20. The normal procedures in handling recovered vehicles will be followed, including the necessary reports, notifications, and towing. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: March 15, 1989 Revised: October 1, 2007 Date: LOJACK Vehicle Recovery System Directive No.41.930 Page 3 of 3