Boca Raton Police Services Department Patrol Directive PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.100 PATROL Revised: March 11, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to set specific guidelines for the patrol function and for the general safe and effective provision of police services b...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.100 PATROL Revised: March 11, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to set specific guidelines for the patrol function and for the general safe and effective provision of police services by all employees. II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Boca Raton Police Services Department to provide the best police services to the City of Boca Raton through efficient and professional police service and address crime trends in a proactive way to reduce crime and fear of crime. III. DEFINITIONS: District: The City of Boca Raton is divided geographically into districts. There are delineated zones within each district. Exigent Circumstances: Circumstances, not created by the police themselves, that are of such urgency as to make it objectively reasonable that a warrantless entry, search, or seizure is justified. Exigencies can include an LEO’s need to provide emergency assistance to the occupant of a dwelling/structure or to engage in hot pursuit of a fleeing suspect. Follow-up Investigation: An extension of the preliminary investigation to provide additional investigation to close a case, arrest an offender and/or recover stolen property. Patrol: A generalized function in which employees may be engaged in a variety of activities that can range from traditional responses to calls for service to include the deployment of LEOs to suppress and prevent criminal activities, investigate offenses, apprehend offenders, and furnish day-to-day law enforcement services to the community. Patrol Plan: Supervisors will assess crime and quality of life issues in their zones and districts and deploy LEOs to the areas of concern with a strategy and purpose. Quality of Life Issues: Hazards that range from small roadway potholes or damaged street signs to condemned unsafe structures, or dangerous individual(s) and/or radical groups. Roll Call Briefing: A short meeting of employees held daily before assuming duty to share information, assign patrol plans, and evaluate employees for readiness to assume duty. Shift: An established period of time that an employee works. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 1 of 10 Span of Control: The number of persons reporting to one supervisor. Zones: A specific geographical area designated to be patrolled by an employee. IV. PROCEDURE: A. MANAGEMENT: 1. The Field Services Division (FSD) is led by an assistant chief, who has command responsibility over the Road Patrol districts and the Investigative Services Bureau (ISB). The Road Patrol districts and ISB are each commanded by a captain. B. FUNCTIONS: 1. RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE: a. Department employees will respond to all emergency and nonemergency calls for services in a prompt, safe, and efficient manner. 2. APPREHENSION OF OFFENDERS: a. Once a crime has been committed, the duty of the LEO is to initiate the criminal justice process by identifying and arresting the perpetrator, obtaining necessary evidence, and cooperating in the prosecution of the case. 3. DETERRENCE OF CRIME: a. A patrol plan or extra patrol should be initiated based on information provided by crime analysis and complaints initiated, if applicable. 4. RECOVERY AND RETURN OF PROPERTY: a. To minimize losses due to crime, Department employees shall make every reasonable effort to recover lost or stolen property, to identify its owner, and ensure its prompt return. 5. MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC: a. Department employees shall facilitate the safe and expeditious movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and take responsibility for traffic law enforcement. Employees shall wear an issued reflective safety vest when engaged in these activities. b. Department employees shall enforce compliance with traffic laws and to develop awareness of the causes of traffic crashes, by appropriately warning, citing, or arresting traffic law violators. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 2 of 10 c. Traffic crashes are investigated to protect the rights of the involved parties, to care for the injured, and determine the causes of crashes so that methods of prevention may be developed. d. Department employees shall seek to educate the public regarding traffic regulations through programs aimed at exposing specific problems, by publishing traffic crashes and injury statistics, and by giving notice and warning on changes in regulations prior to taking enforcement action. 6. REPORTING HAZARDS OR THREATS: a. All employees have the responsibility to share information about any potential and actual hazard or threat with his/her supervisor. b. Supervisors shall record hazards associated with geographical conditions, e.g., flooding, construction, and street closings on the Shift Report. c. Either the watch commander or his/her designee shall give information on hazards and/or threats to the employees during each briefing. d. Information concerning individuals or groups who might pose a threat shall be directed to the Crime Analysis Unit, which shall complete and distribute a Crime Information Bulletin, to the appropriate department, e.g., Fire/Rescue, Municipal Services/Streets, Municipal Services/Sanitation, etc. e. Crime analysts shall keep a copy of all bulletins that he/she issues in a location accessible at any time to any employee. f. If other agencies or City departments are affected by the hazard, Communications Section employees will notify the other agencies as requested by an employee or supervisor. C. ROLL CALL BRIEFING: 1. Roll call briefings will be held daily prior to LEOs assuming his/her duties to provide information regarding events, unusual situations/hazards; changes in schedules and assignments; roll call training; directives and to evaluate LEOs for readiness to assume his/her duties. Roll call briefing should generally be limited to twenty minutes. 2. AGENDA: a. LEOs will be briefed at roll call of any noteworthy events that have occurred before his/her tour of duty. b. LEOs will be advised of information regarding daily patrol activity, unusual situations, and changes in the status of wanted persons, stolen vehicles, major investigation, and other pertinent Teletype entries. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 3 of 10 c. LEOs will discuss new directives and changes in directives, crime trends and analyses, extra patrols, memorandums, legal updates, and problem-oriented policing (POP) projects. d. Roll call training and information from other Department units will be discussed. 3. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Ensure LEOs are properly equipped. b. Deliver all information contained in the agenda, as indicated above. c. See Departmental Standards Directive 33.100 Training for further information regarding supervisor training responsibilities during roll call briefings. 4. LEO RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Attend shift briefings/meetings on time. b. Come to the shift briefings/meetings prepared and ready to listen and participate as appropriate. c. Attend the meetings attired correctly in the uniform of the day and equipped so that he/she is ready to assume his/her duties immediately following roll call. d. Stay up to date on directives, information, etc. through supplemental training. 5. PARTICIPATION IN ROAD PATROL BRIEFINGS: a. As often as possible, employees of other bureaus should be present at patrol roll call for the exchange of daily bulletins and pertinent information. b. The attendance of other units at roll call briefings will be based on the hour of roll call and workload limitations. D. PRELIMINARY AND FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS: 1. Procedures for conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations are documented in Standard Operating Procedure 42.01 Criminal Investigations. 2. Road Patrol Supervisor Responsibilities: a. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Assign patrol LEOs to conduct follow-up investigations. Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 4 of 10 b. Record his/her employee’s follow-up investigation assignments in the Case Management Module of the records management system (RMS) and assign a date for their completion. c. Review every seven days those cases assigned to LEOs for follow-up to determine the status of the investigation. The follow-up investigation should be completed within 21 days and a disposition assigned to the case unless extenuating circumstances warrant further investigation. d. Conduct a monthly audit called a Missing Case List of internal records via the automated system by case number to ensure that all complaints or requests for police service have been documented. e. Review and approve follow-up investigations by LEOs before the documentation is uploaded to the main computer system. 3. Road Patrol LEO Responsibilities: a. Complete follow-up investigations within 21 days and assign a disposition to each case. b. Submit documentation of follow-up investigations to his/her supervisor via the Mobile Computer Terminal (MCT). c. Forward paper reports to the Records Section for filing and any necessary computer entry. E. REFUSAL TO PROSECUTE: 1. F. Refer to Department Directive, 42.100 Investigative Services Bureau. SHIFTS, ZONES, AND ROTATION ASSIGNMENTS: 1. SCHEDULES AND COVERAGE: a. The FSD is responsible for providing continuous police protection, services, and response to calls within the City of Boca Raton on a 24-hour basis. 14.01 b. The Department has divided the City of Boca Raton into two districts comprised of separate zones with a captain assigned to each district and held accountable for crimes occurring in his/her area. c. Shift changes will be staggered to provide patrol coverage at all times. d. The FSD will accomplish its responsibilities by scheduling LEOs on squads with the following shifts, to provide coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week: i. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 A-1 and A-2 Squads: 0500 - 1700 hours Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 5 of 10 e. 2. ii. A-3 and A-4 Squads: 0600 - 1800 hours iii. A-5 and A-6 Squads: 0630 - 1830 hours iv. B-1 and B-2 Squads: 1530 - 0330 hours v. B-3 and B-4 Squads: 1700 - 0500 hours vi. B-5 and B-6 Squads: 1800 - 0600 hours. The hours for other bureaus will vary according to assignment. SHIFT ASSIGNMENT: a. A Personnel Allocation Model will help determine the number of LEOs assigned to each district and squad. b. The chief of police or his/her designee retains the final authority to assign employees to shifts to provide effective police coverage. c. Sergeants determine the zone assignments based on the needs of the districts. d. Shift change will usually take place twice a year in April and October. e. Employees will be bidding for shifts only, not days off. f. The number of LEOs assigned to any one squad or shift shall be determined according to workload assessments by shift periods and reporting areas at the discretion of the FSD commander or his/her designee. g. Each squad shall have designated working hours and days off that shall be consistent throughout the shift period. Exceptions may be made for specialized assignments. h. Squads shall be configured to ensure that the span of control of any one squad supervisor (sergeant) is no greater than 12 LEOs. i. Employees joining the FSD between shift changes will be assigned to a shift determined by the FSD commander or his/her designee. j. After the shift bid process, each patrol LEO shall be assigned to a patrol squad, under the direction of a sergeant as the squad supervisor. k. Any leave that has been approved prior to any transfer will be honored, if possible. l. In case of significant workload fluctuations or extenuating or unforeseen circumstances, the division commander or his/her designee may direct that employees be transferred from one shift to another before the shift period ends. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 6 of 10 m. The final authority for aligning LEOs rests with the Department command staff and incorporates a balance of community policing, philosophies, staff development strategies, resource availability, and crime control plans. 3. ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA: a. In assigning employees to districts, the goal is to provide the maximum services possible with the most efficient use of available employees through the use of the following guidelines: i. Providing the most efficient distribution of resources and employees to fulfill the mission of the Department. 4. ii. An LEO’s familiarity with a particular area. iii. Any other special need as determined by a supervisor. CRA ZONE: a. For more information on the operation of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) zone, see Standard Operating Procedure 41.32 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Zone. 5. ROAD PATROL SHIFT PICKS: a. Whenever possible, shift assignment of FSD employees shall be determined by a seniority-based bidding process using the criteria specified in the Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35. b. See Standard Operating Procedure 41.40 Road Patrol Shift Pick Process for more information on how shift picks are conducted. 6. EXEMPTIONS/HARDSHIPS: a. The division commander will evaluate exemptions from normal shift bid procedures on an individual basis. 7. EVALUATION OF SCHEDULE: a. Schedule and allocations will be evaluated continuously during the year and formal re-evaluations conducted in January of each year. G. CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING FIRST LINE SUPERVISOR ON SCENE: 14.03 1. Patrol sergeants are responsible for the first-line supervision of squad LEOs and assume the duties of a watch commander in his/her absence. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 7 of 10 2. Sergeants will respond to locations to observe, assist, or assume command under the following circumstances: H. a. Observe and record activities and behavior of LEOs within his/her squad. b. Respond to the scene of major incidents, e.g., plane crash, major fire, etc. c. Respond to crime scenes of major crimes. d. Respond to the scene of all reports of missing persons. e. Respond to the scene of all felony vehicle stops. f. Handle calls for service when staffing limits require. g. Assist other sergeants when requested. h. Respond to all unattended deaths. i. Respond to and submit reports on all police vehicle crashes. j. Direct and control on site investigations of major crashes. k. Direct control of crowds or disturbance calls. l. Respond as a back-up unit on calls when needed. m. Assist squad LEOs with legal and procedural questions. 3. Commend, counsel or discipline LEOs regarding his/her performance. 4. Monitor squad LEOs' assignments and radio traffic. 5. Occasionally monitor car stops and LEO assignments. 6. Oversee radio control and coordination of all pursuits. 7. Identify training needs of employees. 8. Answer citizen inquiries on the road and provide good public relations. 9. Accept and assist with citizen complaints regarding employees. CALLS REQUIRING MORE THAN ONE LEO: 25.09 1. The Department shall use a system of call prioritization to provide the best service possible for callers, and to protect LEOs. 2. A minimum of two police units will respond to the following types of calls for service to provide LEO safety and protection of the crime scene: Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 8 of 10 a. Assault on a LEO. b. On-scene arrest for a felony or violent misdemeanor. c. Subject resisting arrest/fleeing. d. Crimes in Progress. e. Felony stops. f. Fire Department assist/structure fire. g. Robbery Alarm, unable to contact open business or improper code given. h. Disturbance/domestic violence in progress. i. An explosion. j. Motor vehicle crashes with injuries. k. Prisoner escapes. l. Homicide. m. Dispatch determines that one or more parties have an outstanding warrant. n. Other crimes or incidents, at the direction of a supervisor. 3. Supervisors and LEOs must be sensitive to the risk of attracting large crowds at incidents. The assembling of several marked cars in particular areas is one of the primary causes of attracting large crowds. I. PROBLEM ORIENTED POLICING (POP): 1. For information on the problem oriented policing function, see Standard Operating Procedure 41.31 Problem Oriented Policing (POP). J. UNSECURED STRUCTURES: 1. When an LEO encounters an unsecured structure, if the structure has an open door/window, but there is no sign of criminal activity, attempted criminal activity, or an alarm the premises will not be entered unless there is an authorized representative present and the representatives give the LEO permission to enter the structure. If there is no representative available, the LEO shall lock the window or door and leave a note to that effect. 2. Structures will only be entered without a representative if exigent circumstances warrant it such as the following: Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 9 of 10 a. Fresh pursuit of a fleeing felon b. Threatened destruction of evidence inside a structure before a warrant can be obtained K. c. A risk that the suspect may escape from the structure undetected d. A threat, posed by a suspect, to the lives or safety of civilians or LEOs e. An activated alarm with visible signs of possible forced entry. BREACHING TOOLS: 1. LEO supervisors will be trained in the use of breaching tools and subsequently be issued a standard breaching kit and breaching ram to be used in the event of an exigency and a breach of an entry point of a structure or conveyance is necessary. 2. When an LEO encounters an exigent circumstance and immediate access to a locked door or a door that won't otherwise open is necessary, the LEO supervisor is permitted to select the appropriate tool and breach the door to gain access. a. The ram or sledge is recommended for doors that open into the structure. The pry tools and ram and/or sledge are recommended for doors that open outward. b. If time permits and there is a key holder close by, the preferred method of entry is with a key. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: March 11, 2022 Date: Patrol Directive No. 41.100 Page 10 of 10