Boca Raton Police Services Department Marine Unit SOP 41.12 PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.12 MARINE UNIT Revised: September 10, 2018 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to describe the functions and procedures for the Marine Unit. II. RESPONSIBILITY AND SUPERVISION: A. The Marine Unit’s...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.12 MARINE UNIT Revised: September 10, 2018 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to describe the functions and procedures for the Marine Unit. II. RESPONSIBILITY AND SUPERVISION: A. The Marine Unit’s primary responsibility is to ensure waterway safety within the jurisdiction of the City of Boca Raton through the enforcement of state laws and municipal ordinances. B. Marine officers will not operate vessels under hurricane or tropical storm conditions and, unless exigent circumstances exist, should not operate during the following conditions: 1. Severe or threatening thunderstorm conditions 2. When sea, tide, and wind conditions would present a substantial risk to the crew or vessel C. A Special Services Bureau sergeant will supervise the marine officers. III. PERMISSION TO OPERATE A VESSEL: A. The marine officer is authorized to operate his/her vessel any time that he/she is on regular duty or when called in by the Special Services Bureau commander, sergeant, or any law enforcement supervisor where exigent circumstances exist. B. The marine officer is authorized to operate his/her vessel if such operation will not endanger the operator, vessel or others. C. The marine officer will receive supervisory permission before he/she may tow any vessel, except when circumstances require immediate action. 1. Considerations for the towing of a vessel shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 The vessel is a danger to life Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 1 of 19 b. The vessel is an immediate hazard to navigation and has lost power or steering c. The vessel is in the ocean or in an area of heavy traffic, and a delay in response of a private towing firm could result in damage to the disabled vessel or others d. The vessel is a seizure or evidence of a crime. 2. Under no circumstances will a vessel be towed from a safe berth unless so directed by the Special Services Bureau commander, sergeant, or any other law enforcement supervisor. In the event a safe berth tow is made, the law enforcement officer (LEO) authorizing the tow shall forward a written report to the Community Services Division commander immediately. D. Only personnel assigned to the Marine Unit or those approved by the Special Services Bureau commander are authorized to operate a police vessel. IV. SELECTION PROCESS: A. LEOs shall be selected for assignment to the Marine Unit as outlined in the Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the FOP. B. The selection process shall also consist of a swimming proficiency test as outlined in Appendix A Swimming Skills Proficiency Test. C. The applicant must be current on the Department’s physical abilities test. D. Familiarity with marine regulations and operations, as determined in the interview process, shall also be taken into consideration. V. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: A. UNIFORM: 1. LEOs assigned to the Marine Unit will wear the designated marine officer uniform as specified in Departmental Standards Directive 26.200 Appearance of Personnel. B. EQUIPMENT: 1. Prior to launch, the marine officer will conduct a thorough equipment inspection checking the following items, at a minimum, for availability and sufficiency: a. Lifejackets/personal floatation devices (PFD) b. Type IV throwable Coast Guard approved PFD Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 2 of 19 c. First aid kit d. Anchor and line e. Handheld search light f. Fire extinguisher g. Tools h. Fenders i. Visual distress signal (flares) j. Sound producing device k. Boat hook l. Mooring lines m. Marine VHF radio n. Any special equipment as deemed necessary for successful completion of tour of duty VI. DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS: A. Before departing from the dock, the marine officer will complete the following steps: 1. Check that all equipment is on board. 2. Check fuel and oil levels. 3. Turn on battery switches. 4. Turn on master power switch. 5. Check all equipment to make sure it is operational. 6. Check for fuel spills and odors prior to starting (If fuel odor or spills are present, do not start.) 7. Lower engines into water. 8. Start engine. 9. Let idle approximately one minute before departing dock. 10. Detach mooring lines. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 3 of 19 VII. DOCKING AND STORAGE: A. When arriving at the docks, the marine officer shall perform the following steps: 1. Attach mooring lines. 2. Shut engines off. 3. Raise engines out of water. 4. Turn battery switches off. 5. Wash boat and equipment. 6. Check that the boat is secure and that all equipment is properly stored prior to leaving the dock. VIII. A. FUELING INSTRUCTIONS: When filling the fuel tanks, the marine officer shall perform the following steps: 1. Secure boat to fuel dock. 2. Turn off engines. 3. Fill gas tanks with gasoline. 4. Check oil level and add if necessary. 5. Check for fuel odors and spills prior to leaving the fuel dock. IX. TRAINING: A. Personnel assigned to the Marine Unit must successfully complete the Boca Raton Police Services Department Marine Unit Field Training Program, and related in-service training as deemed necessary by the chief of police or his/her designee. They will also successfully complete the United States Coast Guard Captain’s License (Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel Class) within eighteen months of appointment to the Marine Unit. X. UNAUTHORIZED MISSIONS: A. No missions, other than normal operations and rescue work, will be performed without the authorization of the Special Services Bureau commander. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 4 of 19 XI. MARINE PATROL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A. All marine officers are responsible for the following: 1. The overall safe operation of the police boat. 2. A thorough pre-operations inspection. 3. Maintain radio contact with the Communications Center. 4. Obtain weather service forecasts prior to sailing. 5. Maintain a list of discrepancies found on the vessel to be corrected during scheduled maintenance. XII. RESPONSE TO RESISTANCE PROHIBITIONS: A. Marine officers shall apply the prohibitions set forth in Departmental Standards Directive 01.300 Response to Resistance regarding the discharge of weapons at vehicles to that of vessels. XIII. MARINE EMERGENCY: A. In the event of a marine emergency, marine officers will contact the Communications Center and the United States Coast Guard and undertake appropriate safety measures to alleviate the situation. B. XIV. The priorities for action are as follows: 1. Safety of personnel and others. 2. Safety of equipment. BOATING ACCIDENTS: A. Marine officers will perform the following steps in the event of a boating accident: 1. Take lifesaving measures. 2. Assist in securing equipment. 3. Locate and interview witnesses. 4. Complete the appropriate boating accident investigation form. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 5 of 19 XV. PATROL AREA: A. The normal patrol area will include all waters within the City of Boca Raton and up to three miles offshore. B. As part of an authorized operation, Blue Lightning certified marine officers may patrol Federal waters which are twelve miles offshore. XVI. MARINE UNIT GENERAL ARREST PROCEDURES: A. When making arrests and handcuffing, the marine environment poses many dangers to personnel and the public. The following procedures should be followed: 1. All arrests shall be made in accordance with Departmental Standards Directive 74.300 Criminal Process/Arrests/Searches. 2. Once it is determined that probable cause exists to make an arrest, depending on the severity of the crime, a backup marine officer should be requested. If another Boca Raton marine officer is not available, the Palm Beach County Marine Unit, Broward County Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can also be requested. 3. The marine environment and different styles of boats pose many various problems when handcuffing and placing a suspect under arrest. Several methods can be utilized; however common sense and good officer safety tactics should be used. a. The suspect(s) should be directed to the most open and easily visible location on the vessel. b. During the arrest, transportation, and detention of detainees, the marine officer shall take precautions to prevent an escape, injury to himself/herself or others, damage to property, and the destruction of evidence. c. The marine officer shall assume that the detainee may have had an opportunity to obtain contraband or a weapon before the time of arrest. d. Depending on the style of boat, the arresting marine officer can either board the suspect vessel or direct the suspect to the edge of the boat closest to the police vessel. At all times the suspect should be directed to face away from the arresting marine officer. e. When it is determined that the suspect(s) are in a safe position, the arresting marine officer, using good handcuffing techniques, should place the suspect into handcuffs. All handcuffing shall be done in accordance with Departmental Standards Directive 71.100 Detainee Transportation. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 6 of 19 f. The marine officer must NEVER assume that another LEO has searched the detainee. g. Whenever a marine officer makes an arrest or transports a detainee, the marine officer shall search the detainee thoroughly and carefully and shall take possession immediately of all weapons, contraband, and items of evidence discovered during the search. h. A personal floatation device shall be placed on all suspect(s) prior to being moved from the suspect vessel onto the police vessel for transportation. 4. DETAINEE TRANSPORTATION: a. All detainee(s) shall be moved and seated to the front most visible area of the police vessel where the vessel operator can clearly see the detainee(s) at all times. b. The detainee(s) shall be transported to the closest location where a LEO in a marked police vehicle can pick up the detainee(s) for transportation to the police department’s detainee processing and temporary detention facility. XVII. A. FELONY VESSEL STOPS: The following are steps for marine officers to follow prior to initiating a felony vessel stop: 1. Advise Communications personnel of the intended felony stop and provide the location, vessel registration numbers, name, and description of the vessel, number of occupants and the circumstances of the felony stop. 2. Have Communications notify the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and/or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if further vessel backup is required. B. 3. Be aware of tunnel vision and attempt to take everything into view. 4. Conduct with a minimum of two LEOs, a cover LEO and a contact LEO. Upon the initial felony stop, the marine officers should perform the following steps: 1. Both the cover and contact LEOs shall use emergency equipment needed to make the stop. 2. Both the cover and contact LEOs shall position the police vessel at a safe distance and in the best location where the suspect(s) can be clearly seen. 3. The cover LEO’s primary concern, with his/her weapon drawn, is to observe the suspect(s) actions and watch for any threatening behavior. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 7 of 19 4. The contact LEO's primary concern is to operate the police vessel and make verbal contact with the suspect(s). a. The operator of the suspect vessel shall be directed to turn the boat ignition to the off position. b. All suspect(s) aboard the suspect vessel shall then be directed to most open and clearly visible area of their vessel. c. The suspect(s) shall be directed to kneel down, place his/her hands on top of his/her head and face away from the police vessel and LEOs at all times. 5. All LEOs involved in the felony vessel stop should use concealment throughout the felony stop until the approach/take down. 6. Once all the suspect(s) are placed into the proper position the contact LEO will maneuver the police vessel alongside the suspect vessel 7. Once the police vessel is alongside the suspect vessel, it will be securely tied to the suspect vessel. 8. In taking the suspect(s) out of the vessel and into custody, the following steps should be used while emphasizing officer safety: a. The contact LEO will instruct the suspect(s), one at a time, to stand up and walk to the most open area on the vessel. i. While directing the suspect to the safest possible location on the boat the suspect should be told to always face away from the LEOs. ii. Once in position the suspect should be directed back into a kneeling position with his/her hands on top of his/her head. b. Once the suspect(s) are in position, the contact LEO will board the suspect vessel, place the suspect into handcuffs and search the suspect for weapons. c. After the suspect(s) are safely placed into handcuffs and searched, each suspect will be transported to the police vessel and directed to sit on the deck. d. A Coast Guard approved life jacket will be placed on each suspect prior to being transported. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 8 of 19 XVIII. A. BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: MARINE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. During every vessel stop and while investigating every vessel accident, the marine officer shall check vessel operators for signs of impairment due to alcohol and/or drugs and shall make arrests when appropriate. B. VESSEL STOPS: 1. When a marine officer stops a vessel for a boating violation and he/she believes that the vessel operator’s ability to operate a vessel is impaired due to the use of alcoholic beverages or chemical substances, the marine officer should request the driver to submit to a series of field sobriety tasks. The following procedures shall be followed when conducting a boating under the influence vessel stop: a. The afloat agility tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following: i. Palm Pat: Note if the vessel operator starts before told, hesitates, improper count, applauded (did not turn hand), sliding/flopping hand, hit sides of hand. ii. Finger Count: Note if the vessel operator starts before told, miscounted fingers, sliding of fingers, did not speed up, improper finger touch, improper finger count. iii. Finger to Nose: Note if the vessel operator completely misses his nose, was hesitant or unsure, opened eyes, used wrong hand, used wrong finger, failed to keep head tilted, did not touch nose tip with fingertip. iv. Alphabet Recital: Note speech pattern, i.e., slurred, thick tongue, and whether he/she can complete the alphabet. v. Backwards Count: Note whether the vessel operator missed numbers, continued counting, repeated numbers, hesitated. vi. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: Note the HGN observations. b. It is critical that the marine officer clearly documents the results of these tests in the Probable Cause Affidavit. c. The ashore agility tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following: i. Walking/Turning: Note if the vessel operator falls, staggers, stumbles, sways, or uses arms for balance ii. Finger-to-Nose: Note if the vessel operator completely misses his/her nose, is hesitant or unsure Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 9 of 19 iii. One-Legged Stand: Note if the vessel operator falls, is unsteady or sways iv. Alphabet Recital: Note speech pattern, e.g., slurred, thick tongue, and whether he/she can complete the alphabet v. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: Note the HGN observations d. It is critical that the marine officer clearly documents the results of these tests in the Probable Cause Affidavit. 2. If the marine officer is satisfied that probable cause exists to charge the defendant with BUI, the marine officer should arrest and have a land-based LEO transport the driver to the police station for processing. 3. The decision to tow the vessel shall be made in accordance with section II.C of this standard operating procedure. 4. The marine officer shall advise Communications that an Intoxilyzer Operator is needed at the police station to conduct a breath test. 5. The Intoxilyzer operator will complete the BUI Influence Report. 6. The arresting marine officer will request the vessel operator to submit to an approved breath test. 7. After completion of the breath test, the Intoxilyzer operator will complete the required FDLE forms. 8. If the vessel operator refuses the approved breath test, the arresting marine officer will read the Implied Consent Warning. 9. If vessel operator refuses a second time, the arresting marine officer shall complete the DHSMV Refusal Form and have it notarized. 10. If the results of the Intoxilyzer test are .30 and above, the subject must be transported to the hospital for evaluation and a supervisor must be notified. 11. If drug impairment is suspected, a urine sample may be taken per FSS 327.352. 12. The marine officer must articulate his/her reasons for suspecting the presence of drugs on a Probable Cause Affidavit. 13. The sample is to be handled as evidence and returned to the evidence refrigerator in the police station. 14. A toxicology information sheet must be completed. 15. If a vessel operator consents to the approved breath test, and the test result is below the unlawful level and the arresting marine officer has reasonable cause to believe Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 10 of 19 that the operator is under the influence of a controlled substance, the marine officer may request a urine test besides the breath test. 16. If the vessel operator refuses the urine test, the arresting marine officer will read the Implied Consent Warning (specific to vessel operation). 17. If the driver refuses a second time, the arresting marine officer will fill out the DHSMV Refusal Form and have it notarized/attested. 18. Urine kits are located in the DUI Room. Marine officer shall follow the procedures in the Driving under the Influence Standard Operating Procedure. C. VESSEL ACCIDENTS: 1. The following procedures shall be adhered to when dealing with BUI during a vessel accident: a. If the marine officer detects operator impairment while investigating a vessel accident, the investigating marine officer shall inform the vessel operator when the investigation of the accident is completed and when the criminal investigation begins. b. Marine officers should search the accident scene for evidence of alcohol and/or drugs and should question other vessel operators and witnesses as to their observations concerning actual physical control and operator impairment. c. Other vessel operators and witnesses should complete a written witness statement to place the vessel operator behind the wheel. d. If the vessel operator suspected of impairment is not injured and no other persons are seriously injured, the marine officer should follow the guidelines outlined in section XVI of this standard operating procedure. e. If the accident resulted in severe bodily injuries or death, a blood withdrawal will be obtained from the driver suspected of BUI in accordance with FSS 327.353. (See blood withdrawal procedures in Standard Operating Procedure 63.02 Driving Under the Influence) f. If the vessel operator was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment, and it is impractical for the vessel operator to submit to an approved breath or urine test, the investigating LEO will request that the operator submit to an approved blood test in accordance with FSS 327.352. (See blood withdrawal procedures in Standard Operating Procedure 63.02 Driving Under the Influence) g. If the vessel operator refuses the blood test, the investigating LEO will read the Implied Consent Warning (specific to vessel operation) to him/her. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 11 of 19 h. If the vessel operator refuses a second time, it is the investigating LEO’s responsibility to fill out the D.H.S.M.V. Refusal Form and have it notarized/attested. i. If a blood sample is obtained, a property receipt must be completed at the time of the blood withdrawal. j. Upon returning to the Department, the investigating LEO must complete a toxicology information sheet. k. The property receipt and toxicology sheet must be attached to the sealed blood withdrawal kit which is to be placed in the evidence refrigerator. l. Charges must be held pending the laboratory results of the blood. 2. When presenting a vessel operator with a BUI citation, the investigating LEO will proceed as follows: a. Set a court date for arraignment between 24 and 30 days from the date of arrest. b. In addition to entering the Blood Alcohol Level, if available, in the space provided on the citation, enter the applicable word, i.e., Breath, Blood, Urine, or Refusal, in the "comments pertaining to the offense" section of the citation. c. Give the arrested driver the defendant’s copy of the BUI citation. d. When Department LEOs make an arrest for BUI, they should advise the defendant of the procedure for obtaining a copy of the BUI video. e. The arresting LEO shall complete the DUI/BUI Video Request Form, which indicates the procedures to be followed to obtain a DUI/BUI video, and provide the defendant with a copy. 3. BUI cases shall be handled in the following manner: a. BUI cases must be filed with the State Attorney's Office following their guidelines and procedures. b. Paperwork may be processed according to Department procedure. c. Filing packets must be completed and filed with the State Attorney’s Office within fifteen (15) days. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 12 of 19 XIX. A. VESSEL PURSUITS: GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. Marine officers shall operate a vessel in a pursuit mode according to guidelines consistent with the safety of pursuing LEOs and the public at large. 2. Before initiating a pursuit, the marine officer must reasonably believe that the suspect knows he/she was directed to stop and is willfully fleeing to avoid capture by traveling at a high rate of speed, using evasive tactics and is willfully fleeing in an attempt to avoid capture. B. LIMITING FACTORS: 1. Every police vessel has a maximum speed at which it may operate safely due to limiting factors that include the following: a. Weather and sea conditions. b. Experience and training of the operator in high-speed operation. c. The degree of familiarity with the waterway being traveled. d. Intracoastal/Inland waterways vs. off-shore waters. e. The marine officer’s familiarity and degree of comfort with the vessel he/she is operating. f. The visibility and illumination in the area being traveled. g. The obstacles, both present and potential above and below the waterline that must be avoided. h. The presence of vessel traffic on the waterway. 2. Under Florida State Statutes, LEOs, while engaged in a pursuit with emergency equipment activated, are not required to obey vessel regulatory controls, but must slow down as may be necessary for safe operations, operate the vessel in a manner so as not to endanger life or property and exercise due regard for the safety of all persons. C. DECISION TO PURSUE: 1. OFFSHORE PURSUITS: a. Offshore pursuits are defined as any pursuit in the Atlantic Ocean waters eastward of the City of Boca Raton coastline. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 13 of 19 b. Marine officers may engage in offshore pursuits when they have probable cause that a fleeing suspect has committed or attempted to commit a felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence to a person. c. Marine officers participating in authorized Blue Lightning operations may pursue suspects offshore who have committed a felony. 2. INTRACOASTAL/INLAND WATERWAY PURSUITS: a. Intracoastal/inland waterway pursuits are defined as any pursuit within the Intracoastal and Inland waterways westward of the City of Boca Raton coastline. b. Marine officers may engage in Intracoastal/inland waterway pursuits when they have probable cause that a fleeing suspect has committed or attempted to commit a felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence to a person. 3. If at any time the pursuit becomes a violation of the Department’s vessel pursuit policy, the marine officer shall discontinue the pursuit. 4. The responsibility for the decision to pursue and the methods to be employed during a pursuit rest with the individual marine officer. 5. In arriving at the decision to pursue, the marine officer must carefully consider all limiting factors involved, in addition to the seriousness of the offense and, most importantly, the safety of citizens whose protection is his/her major objective. 6. If a pursuit is initiated, a continuous balancing of seriousness versus public safety is mandatory. 7. The Department expects a marine officer to terminate his/her involvement in a pursuit whenever the risks to the marine officer’s own safety and/or the safety of others outweigh the danger to the community if the suspect is not apprehended. D. JUDGMENT OF THE MARINE OFFICER: 1. The pursuing marine officer must at all time use his/her best judgment in evaluating and re-evaluating the pursuit and must make a continuous appraisal of the pursuit when deciding whether he/she should continue the pursuit. 2. Each individual pursuit is unique, and the pursuing marine officer shall be required to use, in a short period of time, his/her own judgment and all his/her training and overall experience, which he/she will be required to apply collectively to the existing circumstances. 3. If the marine officer feels certain that a pursuit is justified according to the established criteria and the pursuit can be performed safely, he/she should continue the Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 14 of 19 pursuit with the intent to apprehend the suspect, but only while exercising the maximum of safety to all concerned. 4. If the offender is known and there is a reasonable chance of apprehending him/her at a future time, then the pursuit shall be discontinued when the safety of the marine officer or the safety of others is in jeopardy. E. WHEN IN PURSUIT: 1. Upon initiation of a vessel pursuit, the pursuing marine officer shall immediately notify Communications personnel that he/she is in pursuit and his/her location, direction of travel, and exact reason for the pursuit. 2. The vessel description and registration information should also be transmitted to Communications personnel. 3. The marine officer should keep his/her voice as normal as possible and make an effort to be understood when transmitting. 4. In the case of a two-person vessel, the passenger should handle the radio transmissions. 5. The primary pursuit unit shall usually handle communications relating to the actual pursuit, but this shall not restrict the supervisor from giving instructions or other information directly to the primary pursuit unit, the support unit, or the Communications Center. 6. During pursuit, a safe distance shall be maintained between both vessels, enabling the pursuing marine officer to lessen the possibility of collision. 7. Deliberate physical contact between the vessels shall at no time be justified, unless deadly force is authorized. Approval from a supervisor should be obtained, unless the use of deadly force is immediately necessary to protect human life from death or great bodily harm. 8. Should the vessel pursuit leave the Boca Raton City limits, the Communications Center shall be responsible for contacting the adjacent jurisdiction to notify it of the pursuit and that police vessels have entered its boundaries. 9. Communications personnel shall also request that jurisdiction’s assistance and keep it appraised of the vessel pursuit until one of its marine officers join the pursuit. F. SUPPORT VESSEL RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. The support vessel, upon joining the vessel pursuit, shall immediately confirm and notify Communications personnel of its involvement. 2. The support vessel shall maintain a safe distance behind the primary vessel but be close enough to render assistance. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 15 of 19 3. Should the primary pursuit vessel become disabled, the support vessel shall become the primary pursuit vessel, and the field supervisor shall designate a new support vessel. 4. The support vessel shall suspend communications, unless taking over as the primary vessel or relaying significant information. G. COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Upon notification from a marine officer that he/she is in pursuit, Communications personnel shall immediately simulselect all police channels, depress the alert tone transmit buttons, and advise that the air on Police Main Channel is in emergency traffic status in reference to a pursuit. 2. Communications personnel shall then ask for the current location and repeat it and shall ask for the direction of travel. 3. At reasonable intervals, the vessel operator shall keep Communications personnel and other units apprised of his/her location, and Communications personnel shall repeat the locations. 4. If Communications personnel fail to hear from the vessel operator at reasonable intervals, Communications personnel shall attempt to raise and request the present location from that unit, and then repeat it to the other units. 5. If at some point the subject exits the vessel, Communications personnel shall be responsible for keeping track of the perimeter LEO assignments as dictated by a Road Patrol supervisor. 6. At the point where a Road Patrol supervisor decides that the units should abort the pursuit, Communications personnel shall repeat the information to the marine officers as a broadcast. H. RADIO TRANSMISSIONS: 1. Radio transmissions shall be restricted to the primary pursuit vessel, the support vessel, and the field supervisor. 2. Other back-up LEOs shall not advise of their location or other information, unless deemed necessary for apprehension efforts. I. PURSUITS INITIATED BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS: 1. Upon Communications receiving notification from another jurisdiction that a vessel pursuit is headed into Boca Raton, the Communication Center shall determine the crime for which the vessel is being pursued. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 16 of 19 2. If a vessel pursuit originates in another jurisdiction, a marked police vessel shall be permitted to join in the pursuit if the pursuit is in compliance with Department policy and with supervisory approval. 3. Should a vessel pursuit enter the City limits of Boca Raton and be in direct violation of Department’s vessel pursuit policy, no vessel shall join in the pursuit. 4. If the vessel is stopped within the City limits, the Department may respond to back up the other jurisdiction. 5. Once the vessel pursuit leaves Boca Raton, and the appropriate jurisdiction’s LEOs join in the pursuit, the pursuit is to cease and the vessel(s) is to return to the City. 6. If a marine officer observes a vessel pursuit in Boca Raton and has not been given any information by Communications regarding the pursuit, the marine officer shall notify Communications personnel that a vessel pursuit is in progress. 7. Communications personnel shall, as soon as possible, contact the pursuing agency and forward the appropriate information to the on-duty supervisor. 8. No vessel(s) shall join in any vessel pursuit originating from another agency unless authorized by a supervisor. 9. Communications personnel shall notify the field supervisor as to the reason for the vessel pursuit. 10. Supervisors’ responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: a. If vessel pursuit is for a crime within the Department’s pursuit policy, the supervisor shall assign vessels(s) to assist in the pursuit. b. If the vessel pursuit is for a violation not within the Department’s vessel pursuit policy, the supervisor shall notify Communications to contact the originating agency, and Communications shall inform the agency that the Department will not join in the pursuit but will assist as back up if the vessel is stopped within the city limits. J. LEGAL ISSUES: 1. The operator of an authorized emergency vessel shall not be relieved of any duty to operate with due regard for the safety of all persons using the waterways. 2. Life and property shall not be endangered by any vessel pursuit. 3. Emergency lights and sirens shall be activated at ALL times while in pursuit. 4. Except in extreme cases, vessels should terminate any vessel pursuit when twoway radio communications with the Department or a supervisor are lost. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 17 of 19 5. If a police vessel is damaged or experiences mechanical problems during vessel pursuit, the marine officer shall immediately withdraw from the pursuit. 6. Marine officers shall not discharge a firearm at or from a moving vessel, except in the circumstances outlined in Departmental Standards Directive 01.300 Response to Resistance. 7. Supervisors have the authority and responsibility to order the discontinuance of a vessel pursuit at any time, if they feel the safety of the marine officer or the public is in jeopardy. 8. K. A supervisor’s decision shall be final and shall be considered a direct order. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS: 1. The marine officer initiating a vessel pursuit shall complete an offense/incident report documenting in detail the events leading up to and throughout the vessel pursuit. 2. The supervisor monitoring the vessel pursuit shall, at the completion of all pursuits, document the pursuit in the Department’s electronic records management system. 3. Supervisors and Professional Standards Bureau personnel shall follow the administrative requirements set forth in Departmental Standards Directive 41.225 Pursuit Driving regarding the documentation, notification, and review of pursuits. XX. FUEL/OIL SPILLS: A. When fuel or oil is found in the waterway the primary concern of the marine officer is to attempt to find the source of the spill. 1. If the fuel/oil spill source is located, the Boca Raton Fire Department shall be notified immediately. 2. The United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (M.S.O.) and the Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P.) shall be notified of all fuel/oil spills. 3. If further investigation is warranted these federal agencies will respond and conduct the follow-up investigation. XXI. SEARCH AND RESCUE: A. In the event of an emergency search and rescue situation, the United States Coast Guard and Communications should be notified immediately. B. The primary concern is for the safety of personnel and others. Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 18 of 19 1. The marine officer should consider the severity of ocean conditions prior to initiating any search and rescue attempts. 2. If the situation requires, the on-duty watch commander will call out the Department Dive Team. XXII. DISABLED VESSELS: A. When a disabled vessel is located the marine officer’s primary concern is the safety of its occupants. B. If the disabled vessel is secured in a safe location the marine officer should assist with locating a towing company or providing any other assistance in accordance with section II.C of this standard operating procedure. If the disabled vessel is in an unsafe location, where there is danger to the vessel occupants and others, the boat should be towed to the nearest safest location. XXIII. MAINTENANCE: A. At the conclusion of each workday, the marine officer will be responsible to ensure that the boat is clean and ready for the next tour of duty. B. The marine officer will report all mechanical failures and/or damage to equipment, to the Special Services Bureau sergeant in charge of the Marine Unit. Major mechanical problems will be performed by authorized marine repair centers only. C. The marine officer will complete the Daily Activity Log at the conclusion of each workday to document vessel and equipment condition as well as any maintenance needs. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: May 23, 2002 Revised: September 10, 2018 Date: Marine Unit SOP No. 41.12 Page 19 of 19