A. Police Department; Powers And Duties: The police department shall:
1. Enforce the traffic and road regulations of the district and the state vehicle laws applicable to road traffic in the district;
2. Make arrests for traffic violations;
3. Investigate traffic accidents;
4. Cooperate with the general manager and other officers of the district in the administration of the traffic laws and in developing ways and means to improve traffic conditions; and
5. Carry out those duties specifically imposed by the provisions of this section.
B. Authority: District police officers and district employees assigned by the chief of police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, audible, or other signals in conformance with the traffic laws; provided, however, in the event of a fire or other emergency, or to expedite traffic, or to safeguard pedestrians, police officers may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary set forth in this section or in the California Vehicle Code.
C. Obedience To Certain Officers: No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order, signal, or direction of a police officer, or a member of the fire department, or a person authorized by the chief of police or by law.
D. Compliance With State Vehicle Code: No person shall violate any provision of the California Vehicle Code while utilizing district roads.
E. Exemptions:
1. Emergency Vehicles: The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle operated by the police department or fire department, any public ambulance, any public utility vehicle, or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle mentioned in this section is operated in the manner set forth in the California Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call. Such exemptions shall not, however, relieve the operator of any such vehicle from obligation to exercise due care for the safety of others, or from the consequences of his wilful disregard for the safety of others.
2. Construction, Repair, And Mail Vehicles: The provisions of this chapter regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a district department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work or to any vehicle owned or operated by the United States post office department while in use for the collection, transportation, or delivery of United States mail.
F. Signs Required: No provisions of the California Vehicle Code or of this chapter for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator unless appropriate legible signs are in place giving notice of such provisions of the traffic laws. (Ord. 09-230, 1-8-2009)