(A) (1) The objective of the city Police Department motor vehicle program is to increase the potentiality for the suppressing violations of law in the community. An individually assigned vehicle concept conveys a sense of police omnipresence and this is best effected with a highly mobilized force. In other words, the more men and more cars that are visible on the street, the greater is the potential for preventing crime.
(2) To make the program practical, it is necessary to keep it economically feasible. Therefore, it will be necessary to establish certain restrictions, guidelines, and procedures to govern the use of the individually assigned cars while in full use.
(B) Officers assigned vehicles that may be taken home when not on duty shall, at all times when in the vehicle, have their police radio on, and carry their firearm and police identification in case they can assist any other officer.
(1) Any car in the immediate area of an emergency dispatch or officer’s call for help shall be expected to respond.
(2) (a) Response will not be Signal 10.
(b) Exception: Life and death situations. (However, not in violation of division (G)(1) of this section).
(C) Use of the vehicles assigned to individuals on a full-time basis shall be restricted as follows:
(1) Vehicles shall be used within the limits of the county or adjoining counties unless otherwise authorized by the Chief of Police;
(2) Vehicles shall be used by that police officer only; they shall not be driven by other family members, friends, or other officers, unless otherwise authorized by the Chief of Police;
(3) Vehicles shall not be used in any other type of employment; and
(4) Officers assigned to the vehicle shall be responsible for seeing that proper maintenance is scheduled and maintained.
(a) Scheduling shall be done through the designated maintenance control officer appointed by the Chief of Police.
(b) Officers assigned to the vehicle shall be responsible for compliance to maintenance or mechanical work appointments scheduled by the above-mentioned control officer.
(D) (1) No equipment other than that approved by the Chief of Police shall be installed or carried in the vehicle.
(2) Each officer shall be responsible for any thefts of city equipment from their assigned vehicle if left unlocked and any damage done to the vehicle if not justified.
(E) No animals shall be hauled or transported in the vehicle unless the car is designated an official K-9 unit by the Chief of Police.
(F) (1) Each vehicle shall be kept clean inside and out at all times. The appearance of the vehicle shall be maintained in top shape.
(2) The vehicle is subject to inspection by the Chief of Police or his or her designated authority at any given time.
(G) Officers shall drive the vehicles at all times with reasonable prudence to conserve their usefulness and preserve them at their highest operating efficiency, and are to operate vehicles within the framework of state law relative to speed, stopping or slowing down for traffic signals, and the like, while on Signal 10 runs.
(1) Vehicles shall not run Signal 10 while the officer’s family is in vehicle.
(2) Officers shall not patrol outside the city limits except in pursuit of a vehicle or violator or any other emergency unless authorized by his or her superior and then only when the incident is reported to the police dispatcher. Officers on patrol shall keep the dispatcher informed as to location when they request and shall obey the Rules and Regulations of the National Radio Code (FCC).
(3) Officers shall not use the vehicle in any manner to cause embarrassment or disgrace to the Department.
(a) Except in the performance of duty, the vehicle shall not be parked or left unattended on any parking lot in front of or near taverns or liquor stores or other places which reflect discredit to the Department.
(b) Except in the performance of duty, no alcoholic beverages shall be transported in the vehicle.
(H) The city is not expected to furnish gasoline for the vehicle other than that used in performance of duties.
(I) Officers operating any city owned vehicles shall not permit anyone other than authorized employees of the Department to ride in that vehicle, except persons required to be conveyed in the performance of duty or as authorized by the order of the Chief of Police. Anyone approved to ride by the Chief of Police must have signed a waiver which shall be filed in the Department office.
(1) The vehicle’s assigned officer may be used for limited off-duty transportation of his or her spouse and children. The officer will be held directly responsible for the proper conduct and appearance of these passengers.
(2) All adult passengers shall utilize seat belts provided and small children shall utilize approved car seats provided by officers.
(J) Any violation of these rules and regulations or any other abuse or misconduct of these cars will result in disciplinary action and/or revocation of the vehicle and will jeopardize future expansion of this program.
(K) These regulations will govern the operation and use of the motor vehicles assigned to the city Police Department.
(1987 Code, § 2-216) (Board of Public Works and Safety Res. passed 9-10-1980)