Item VII (F) Discussion / Action re: Implementation of Police Department Take Home Vehicle Plan Agenda 10-06-98
Item VII F
Ocoee Police Department Roher/ e math
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TO: Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
THRU: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager
FROM: Robert E. Mark, Chief of Police/F,,,-7
DATE: September 29, 1998
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKE HOME
VEHICLE PLAN
STAFF REPORT
ISSUE
Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the implementation of
the proposed marked vehicle take home plan for sworn personnel who reside within the city
limits of Ocoee as well as the existing unmarked vehicle take home plan for on call personnel.
BACKGROUND
During the month of July, the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners requested that
a committee be formulated to discuss the feasibility of a take home vehicle plan for the Ocoee
Police Department and also formulate a policy and plan to be presented for consideration by the
elected officials of the City of Ocoee.
DISCUSSION
On July 24, 1998, the committee met and discussed the ground rules and agreed to gather
information from other departments that had implemented a take home vehicle program. After
several meetings the attached policy governing the take home vehicle program was formulated.
Several other issues were discussed such as allowing each sergeant their own vehicle whether
they lived within the city limits of Ocoee or not. This would allow for each sergeant to have a
vehicle available to them but not allowed to drive it home unless they lived in the City.
The policy would allow sworn personnel that live in the city to take a vehicle home and use it for
personal use within the city limits of Ocoee. It would allow, if the officer desires, to have family
members ride with the officer to and from appointments if necessary (i.e., school drop off or
school pick up, doctors appointments, etc.), but this would not allow the officer to utilize the
vehicle for a second family car.
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Staff Report
September 29, 1998
Page 2
This current plan only covers sworn individuals whom reside within the city (8 patrol). The
committee recommended that this pilot plan take effect starting in October and that a committee
reconvene in January, 1999 to discuss leaving the plan as status quo by just offering it to officers
that qualify by living within the city limits of Ocoee or expanding the project to outside the city
limits of Ocoee.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
approve this requested take home policy and authorize the police department to implement the
program.
OCOEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Date of hsue Effective Date Number
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 10-01-98 10-01-98 51
Subiect Reference
TAKE HOME VEHICLE PROCEDURE
Amended I Rescinds
-- ,
CONTENTS: This order contains the following numbered sections:
I. INTRODUCTION
II. RESIDENCY
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES
IV. UNMARKED VEHICLES
V. OFF-DUTY RESPONSE TO INCIDENTS
VI. VEHICLE EQUIPMENT
VII. VEHICLE CARE AND MAINTENANCE
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
PURPOSE:
To provide guidelines for the implementation and management of take home vehicle plan.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all members of the Ocoee Police Department.
POLICY:
The Ocoee Police Department has instituted a take-home car program for all sworn members of the
agency. This action is taken to assist the department in achieving its goal of fully integrating a
community policing style. This program will assist in providing the community with a more visual
police presence in their neighborhoods. A price tag cannot be placed on the crime prevention benefits
derived from increased numbers of law enforcement presence in the streets. It is a proven fact that
traffic flow is controlled,as well as traffic violations and crime in the visible vicinity of marked units.
A secondary benefit of the take-home car program will be decreased operating and maintenance costs
to the City of Ocoee for the police fleet. Vehicles will also be maintained in a cleaner, more
professional manner as the individual officers are directly responsible for the vehicle's care.
SOP# 51
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PROCEDURE:
INTRODUCTION:
A. The proper use and care of vehicles assigned to employees of the Ocoee Police
Department is critical to the effectiveness by which service is delivered to the public.
Through proper use and efficiency of operation reduced operating costs results. The
immediate availability and equipping of officers on and off duty is essential for both officer
safety and emergency service to the community.
IL RESIDENCY:
A. April 1'of every year shall be the cut-off period for members to become eligible for the
Take Home Vehicle program.
B. The first year residency policy affects only those officers who move or have maintained
their residence inside the city limits of Ocoee before April 1, 1998.
C. Officers who move their residence inside the Ocoee city limits after April 1, 1998 and
new probationary officers shall not be eligible to participate in the take-home vehicle program
for fiscal year 98/99. Officers not participating in the take-home vehicle program will utilize
their assigned vehicle or pool vehicle for their duty assignment.
D. It shall be the member's responsibility to initiate a stop action on the vehicle assignment
when they move outside the city limits of Ocoee.
E. Take home vehicle assignments will be dependent upon vehicle availability, current
assignment and other criteria as determined by the City of Ocoee's Honorable Mayor and
Board of City commissioners.
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES:
A. The vehicle may be operated only by authorized employees of the Ocoee Police
Department. Vehicles will be permitted outside the city limits of Ocoee upon approval, in
writing, by the Chief of Police or designee. This includes any schools to be attended by
department members.
B. The personal use of the marked patrol unit shall be restricted to the city limits of Ocoee.
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C. Personal use of the departmental vehicle shall be authorized for reasonable personal
transportation such as it would allow if the officer desires to have a immediate family member
who resides within the officers domicile ride with the officer to and from appointments if
necessary(i.e. school drop off or school pick up,doctors appointments, run to the store, etc.),
but this would not allow the officer to utilize the vehicle for a second family vehicle such as
loading up the entire family in the vehicle and going to a restaurant.
D. When operating a departmental vehicle off-duty, the officer shall have equipment
mandated by this standard operating procedure,including an authorized firearm, police radio
(the police radio must be turned on monitoring the primary talk group), safety vest so as to
be able to assist in directing traffic at an accident scene, hit jackets for easy identification, and
rain coat.
E. Departmental vehicles shall not be used in personal employment or unofficial business
pursuits (i.e. delivering pizza, etc.). The vehicles may be used to drive to and from other
employment.
F. All off duty police officers shall exercise good judgement in operating and utilizing an
Ocoee Police Department vehicle, and shall not drive or use the police vehicle in a manner
which may cause unfavorable comments or reflect negatively or reflect discredit on or to the
police department or the City of Ocoee (example: Parking in a fire lane or other restricted
areas that the general public are not allowed to park).
G. Officers shall be held responsible for the proper appearance and conduct of all passengers.
H. While on duty, passengers shall be restricted to official business or subject to the
requirements of the ride-along program.
I. No infant or child restraint seats shall be placed in the front seat of any department owned
or leased vehicle, air bags or not.
J. Children 12 years of age and under,and passengers who are 13 years of age and older who
are small in stature, are not permitted to ride in the front seat of any department owned or
leased vehicle equipped with passenger side air bags.
K. Off-duty officers are prohibited from operating any department vehicle if they have been
taking restrictive prescription medicine, are under the influence of any intoxicant, or have a
detectable blood alcohol level. Members who have consumed alcohol are prohibited from
operating any city owned vehicle. The standard for on-duty officers is zero tolerance.
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M. Officers must be dressed in an appropriate manner when operating the vehicle. Attire
should be sensible in nature and not cause embarrassment to the department (e.g., cut off
shorts, short shorts, halter tops, tank tops, etc.). Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.
N. Officers no longer participating in the take-home vehicle program due to reassignment,
retirement, or separation have the responsibility of notifying their supervisor to make all
necessary arrangements, e.g.,turning in the vehicle, etc.
O. When an officer is off-duty, rider waiver forms are not required for passengers.
P. Vehicles may be used during department approved off-duty employment within the
restrictions of the standard operating procedures. The assigned vehicle shall not be used as
to further any personal interest relative to any off duty employment or enterprise for part-time
employers.
Q. Officers leaving town for an extended period of time may either secure the take-home
vehicle at their residence or the department can secure the vehicle at the municipal complex.
R. If an officer is suspended for any time period,the vehicle shall be secured at the municipal
complex. The officer is prohibited from operating the vehicle for the entire period of time of
the suspension.
S. If an officer is suspended, it is the responsibility of the officer's immediate supervisor to
secure the vehicle at the municipal complex.
T. Officers living in the City who are eligible for the program and do not wish to participate
for any reason shall be assigned a pool type vehicle for on duty use.
U. Take home vehicles shall not be parked on the public street when at the assigned officer's
residence. Officers shall park their assigned vehicle in the driveway of the residence. The only
exception is unless this type of parking is unavailable such as at apartment complexes.
V. Equipment not permanently attached inside a take home vehicle shall be locked in the
trunk of the vehicle when parked at a residence. No firearms or department personnel call
lists shall be left in any department vehicle. (Remember that each vehicle is equipped with a
push button trunk release allowing access to the trunk area if the vehicle is broken into. The
department shall not be responsible for any personal items lost or stolen).
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W. Any officer on leave due to extended sick leave,injury,light or limited duty or suspension
shall not have take home vehicle privileges. Members are strictly prohibited from operating
a marked department vehicle while on medical light duty.
X. No alcohol shall be permitted within a department vehicle, the only exception will be to
transport alcohol as evidence to the department for processing and packaging as evidence for
court.
IV. UNMARKED VEHICLES:
A. Unmarked vehicles are governed by this policy just like the marked vehicles as far as
living in town. If a take home unmarked vehicle is driven to an officer's residence outside the
City limits of Ocoee and the officer is not on call, the vehicle may only be driven to and from
work;no other places. If the officer is on call the vehicle may be used for personal use under
the same pretext as a marked vehicle.
V. OFF-DUTY RESPONSE TO INCIDENTS:
A. Any reportable offense(i.e.,traffic accident,burglary)that is brought to the attention of
an off-duty officer driving a departmental vehicle shall be properly reported. The off-duty
officer shall not be responsible for completing any paperwork on the incident unless direct
action was taken by the officer. The off-duty officer shall report the incident and stand by until
an on-duty officer arrives at the scene.
B. Situations that require an off-duty officer to take official action, arrests not associated
with off-duty employment for example, shall be considered approved overtime pursuant to
the City of Ocoee Rules and Regulations.
C. Officers will assist with any incident or situation requiring immediate action, e.g., the
giving of first aid, standing by a hazardous scene until an on-duty officer arrives, or the
commission of a felony or other serious offense, stopping to direct traffic around a stalled
vehicle or giving aid to motorists in need of assistance until an on-duty officer arrives.
However,passenger safety is primary and intervention or apprehension is secondary. Officers
should use common sense if there are passengers in the vehicle. Vehicle apprehensions and
serious felony intervention when off duty with civilian passengers in the vehicle are strictly
prohibited.
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VL VEHICLE EQUIPMENT:
A. Vehicle issued equipment
1. Marked Vehicles - The following equipment shall be installed or issued to each
marked vehicle, which includes the reflective striping.
Light Bar Console Box/Control Panel
Siren Control Box Siren Driver under hood of vehicle
Motorola Radio Prisoner divider(cage)
Fire extinguisher Turnpike toll card
East/West E-Pass Flash light
Gas Key Trunk supplies (equipment box, flares, riot
gear, etc.)
Traffic vehicles shall be equipped in same manner as marked units except the
emergency lights shall be mounted on the interior of the vehicle not the exterior and
shall be quipped with an in-car camera system.
2. Unmarked Vehicles - to be utilized by administrative personnel and detective
personnel.
Dash light Console Box/Control Panel
Siren Control Box Siren Driver under hood of vehicle
Turnpike toll card East/West E-Pass
Flash light Gas Key
Trunk supplies(equipment box, flares, riot gear, etc.)
B. Officers are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the equipment and supplies required
by the department for their vehicle.
C. An officer may obtain permission to install additional equipment on his or her vehicle. The
equipment must meet OSHA standards and must not interfere with the operation of the air
bag system. No holes shall be drilled into the interior or exterior of any police vehicle. All
equipment additions or modifications shall be requested in writing and approved by the Chief
of Police or designee through the chain of command prior to installing the equipment in the
vehicle. The cost of additional equipment installation shall be the burden of the employee.
The following general guidelines shall apply:
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Equipment Permitted Not Permitted
3. CB radios 1. Pop-in strobe lights, dash, or grill mounted
4. Cellular phones 2. Boom boxes(extra speakers)
5. Magnetic, clip-on, 3. Radio equalizers(factory radios only)
or glass mount antennas 4. Arrow sticks
5. Replacing light bars (personal)
6. Window tinting
7. No Drilling of holes anywhere
8. Trailer hitches
9. Objects dangling from rearview mirror
10.Cargo protruding from trunk, except when
necessary for OPD purposes.
D. Nicknames or officers names are prohibited from being attached, painted or stenciled on
vehicles. Altering or removing confidential numbers, decals, or license plates is also
prohibited. Bumper stickers, decals, emblems, advertisements, etc. that promote a specific
cause or business, or would be detrimental to the image of the department are prohibited
unless issued by the department.
E. Officers are responsible for maintaining the entire vehicle in a clean condition and shall
ensure the vehicle receives preventive maintenance as scheduled. Vehicles must have
preventive maintenance performed as directed by OPD, and should be serviced and washed
during off-duty time. No overtime will be paid for preventive maintenance, washing, or
fueling of take-home vehicles.
F. The City's municipal garage, Fire station 3, and Fire station 4 shall be utilized for fueling
of department vehicles. In the event all three of these pumps become disabled administrative
personnel shall determine an alternative pump location to be used; only unleaded regular
gasoline is to be used in the vehicle.
G. When off-duty as well as on duty, officers will be responsible for operating under the
guidance of the City's safety manual for vehicle maintenance, i.e., changing of tires.
VII. VEHICLE CARE AND MAINTENANCE:
A. Officers assigned departmental vehicles shall be responsible for the appearance and
maintenance of the vehicle.
B. Authorized drivers of police vehicles shall be covered by the insurance policy of the City
of Ocoee anytime they are operating their police vehicle in accordance with applicable
departmental and city policies and procedures.
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C. All maintenance/repairs shall be performed at a cost to the department only at
departmental authorized facilities. Officers may take their vehicles to authorized facilities for
emergency repairs during the officer's normal work hours. Repairs authorized under the mile
warranty issued by the factory, shall be returned to a dealership upon authorized departmental
approval. Officers shall obtain an authorized work order prior to having any maintenance or
repairs done to their vehicle.
D. All routine maintenance and repairs(including PM's) shall be conducted during off-duty
hours. The department will strive to make pool vehicles available to eliminate long waiting
periods while repairs are being made.
E. All vehicles shall be maintained in a clean and professional appearance by the assigned
officer.
F. The Police Department will provide all fuel for its vehicles as well as the cost of
maintenance and repairs. Officers will be responsible for fueling prior to going off duty,
except in case of emergency.
G. If repairs on any vehicle require the vehicle to be dead lined and kept at any shop, the
department will not issue another vehicle for take home use. The effected officer will utilize
a pool vehicle assigned by the on duty supervisor for on duty use.
H. Daily routine maintenance performed by the officer shall be limited to the following:
1. Check engine oil level and (if necessary) add engine oil to the crank case.
2. Check radiator water level and (if necessary) add water and/or anti-freeze to
radiator.
3. Check power steering fluid level and(if necessary) add fluid to the power steering
unit.
4. Check brake fluid level and(if necessary) add brake fluid to the master cylinder.
5. Check tire wear and proper tire pressure.
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Off duty accidents involving a police department vehicle - off duty traffic accidents shall
be handled the same as if on duty. The supervisor on duty shall be notified and FHP shall be
called to investigate the crash. If an officer is involved in two or more accidents in one year,
and is found at fault,that officer may lose his/her take home car privilege for up to 12 months.
The actual time without a take home vehicle will be determined by the Chief of Police or
designee.
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B. Officers shall strictly comply with the letter and intent of this policy. Any action outside
the scope of this policy shall be construed to be a violation. It shall be the responsibility of the
officer to prove that an emergency or exigent circumstance existed and that the action taken
was the most prudent given the totality of the situation.
C. Any abuse or misuse of a departmental vehicle may result in disciplinary action including,
but not limited to, forfeiture of take-home vehicle privileges.
D. In the event that an officer is reassigned from one unit to another, i.e., from criminal
investigation to uniform patrol a take home vehicle shall be made available for the involved
officer who resides in the City.
E. Under ideal conditions, when a new vehicle is purchased, one officer would drive and be
accountable for that vehicle for 5-6 years. Vehicles assigned to the take home program
should be evaluated after 5 years for its possible continued use either as a take home vehicle
or reassigned for other duties or dead lined.
By Order of
Robert E. mark
Chief of Police
AS OF 10-01-98 WITHOUT NEW VEHICLES
VEHICLES ASSIGNMENT OFFFCERIOFFICERS
301 97 CV PATROL ALLISON/PACE
302 96 CV ADMIN GOCLON
303 97 EXP CID BOUSQUET
304 97 EXP CID BRYANT
305 94 CV PATROL CONYERS
306 94 CV ADMIN MARK
307 94 CV PATROL ALEXANDER
308 94 CV PATROL BLAKE
309 97 TAUR CID GLASCOCK
310 94 CV PATROL PARKER
311 97 EXP CID SILBERSTEIN
312 94 CV PATROL ADAMS
313 97 CV PATROL BELL
314 94 CV PATROL DYER
315 94 CV PATROL/K9 R.MCCOSKER
316 94 CV PATROL/ADMIN SEAVER
317 97 CV PATROL TAPSCOTT/GAMMON
318 97 CV PATROL SIMON
319 97 TAUR CID MORRIS
320 97 CV PATROL STEPHENS/PICKMAN
321 97 CV PATROL FISHER
322 97 EXP PATROL/SGT COMBS/BROWN
323 97 TAUR ADMIN TOMS
324 97 EXP PATROL/SGT RIVERA
325 98 CV PARROL/TRAFFIC MERCHANT/JENRETTE
326 98 CV PATROL/TRAFFIC VANCE
329 96 CV PATROL SIRNY/GRIMANDO
330 97 CV PATROL CARROLL/UNDERWOOD
331 98 CHEV MBI S.MCCOSKER
332 98 CV PATROL KIRKLAND/LEWIS
333 98 CV PATROL COMO
334 98 CV PATROL SCHAUB/PAYNE
335 98 CV PATROL STONE/TINDALL
336 99 CV PATROL EDWARDS/JULIAN
337 99 CV PATROL LOYKO/DIXON
338 97 TAUR CID DREASHER
AFTER THE NEW VEHICLES 98/99
VEHICLES ASSIGNMENT OFFICER/OFFICERS
301 97 CV PATROL ALLISON/PACE
302 96 CV ADMIN GOCLON
303 97 EXP CID BOUSQUET
304 97 EXP CID BRYANT
305 94 CV PATROL/SGT/TRAFFIC CONYERS
306 94 CV PATROL
307 94 CV PATROL
308 94 CV PATROL BELL
309 97 TAUR CID GLASCOCK
311 97 EXP CID SILBERSTEIN
312 94 CV PATROL/TRAFFIC ADAMS
313 97 CV PATROL
315 94 CV PATROL/K9 R.MCCOSKER
316 94 CV PATROL/ADMIN SEAVER
. 317 97 CV PATROL NEW/NEW
318 97 CV PATROL SIRNEY/GRIMANDO
319 97 TAUR CID MORRIS
320 97 CV PATROL STEPHENS/PICKMAN
321 97 CV PATROL FISHER
322 97 EXP PATROL/SGT COMBS
323 97 TAUR ADMIN TOMS
324 97 EXP PATROL/SGT RIVERA
325 98 CV PARROUTRAFFIC MERCHANT/JENRE ri b
326 98 CV PATROL/TRAFFIC VANCE
329 96 CV PATROL NEW/NEW
330 97 CV PATROL
331 98 CHEV MBI S.MCCOSKER
332 98 CV PATROL KIRKLAND/LEWIS
333 98 CV PATROL COMO/NEW
334 98 CV PATROL SCHAUB/PAYNE
335 98 CV PATROL STONE/TINDALL
336 99 CV PATROL EDWARDS/JULIAN
337 99 CV PATROL LOYKO/DIXON
338 97 TAUR CID DREASHER
—__—_—_____--_--NEW VEHICLES FOR 98/99 YEAR -
310 NEW CV PATROL PARKER
314 NEW TAUR SRO DYER
327 NEW CV PATROL ALEXANDER
328 NEW CV PATROL BLAKE
339 NEW CV PATROL BROWN
340 NEW CV PATROL SIMON
341 NEW CV PATROL TAPSCOTT/GAMMON
342 NEW CV PATROL CARROLL/UNDERWOOD
343 NEW CV ADMIN MARK
344 NEW CV ADMIN WILSON