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Applicable
To: All employees |
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Approval
Authority: Chief Richard J.
Pennington |
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Signature: Signed by RJP |
Date Signed: 8/29/08 |
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To establish procedures for the use, care and maintenance of the fleet of vehicles used by the Atlanta Police Department.
The Department requires that the fleet will be maintained in good mechanical condition to provide for safe and efficient operation. The fleet will reflect the best image of the Department. The fleet will be clean and the installed equipment will be in good repair and operational.
3.1 Employees who operate City owned, leased or rented vehicles are responsible for obeying the traffic laws and driving in a safe manner. All city employees will wear safety restraints while inside city vehicles. Employees will inspect the vehicle for cleanliness and mechanical reliability. The inspection will include checking all fluid levels (gas, oil and water). The inspection results will be recorded on a preventive maintenance checklist (Form APD 607); any damage will be brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisor.
3.2 Supervisors will ensure that vehicles are clean and scheduled maintenance is performed. Supervisors are responsible for inspecting vehicles and required vehicle contents everyday.
3.3 Bureau, division, and section commanders will determine the type and number of vehicles needed for the efficient operation of their commands. They may authorize modifications to the standard preparation of a police vehicle to meet the needs of a specialized section or unit. They will ensure that the employees under their command comply with this directive. Section commanders will maintain a sufficient fleet to allow for replacements when vehicles are out of service for repair.
3.4 The Support Services Division (SSD) is responsible for purchasing vehicles, installing equipment and setting the criteria for the fleet. The Support Services Division is also responsible for the preparation of new vehicles that will be added to the fleet and the proper registration of the existing fleet.
3.5 The Property Control Unit will be responsible for the replenishment of supplies for police vehicles.
3.6 The Electronics Maintenance Unit (EMU) will maintain an inventory of all radios and mobile data terminals installed in police vehicles. The EMU will also be responsible for repair or replacement of radios, antennas, and mobile data terminals in the police vehicles.
3.7 The Fleet Management Unit of the Support Services Division will maintain a master inventory of all vehicles and an inventory of installed equipment, excluding electronics equipment. They will monitor the maintenance of the fleet by coordinating with the City’s Office of Fleet Services.
4.1 Operation of Police Vehicles
4.1.1 Officers will follow the State of Georgia Uniform Rules of the Road Act (Chapter 40-6 of the State Code) regarding authorized emergency vehicles:
4.1.2 Officers and their passengers are required to use seat belts when operating or riding in vehicles. CALEA 5th ed. standard 41.3.3
4.1.3 The “Crash Bumper”, affixed to the front bumper of patrol vehicles, will not be used to assist in the removal of disabled vehicles from the roadway. This restriction may only be waived by a supervisor when emergency circumstances exist. After the scene has been made safe, the police vehicle will be inspected for damage by its operator. In such instances, the officer will document his or her actions using the appropriate incident report.
4.2.1 Marked vehicles will be identified as Atlanta Police vehicles from every view. The markings will be identifiable from long distances and at night. Markings should include reflective material placed on the sides and rear of the vehicle, such as reflective striping, lettering, or decals, as determined by the SSD commander. The SSD commander may approve specialized decals.
4.2.2 A standard marked patrol vehicle is a car, van, or pick-up truck equipped with blue light, siren, public address speaker, and mobile radio. CALEA 5th ed. standard 41.3.1
4.2.3 Marked patrol cars that are designated as beat, sector, or zone supervisor cars will be further identified by being equipped with at least the following:
1. Reflective striping and decals representative of the Atlanta Police Department
2. Zone number
3. Beat or assignment number
4. 911 decal
5. Mobile data terminal (selected cars)
6. Lo Jack (selected cars)
7. Security screen (supervisor cars exempt)
8. Trunk mounted shotgun rack
9. Fully charged fire extinguisher
10. A one-gallon (minimum) water container filled CALEA 5th ed. standard 41.3.2
4.2.4 Color/decal Scheme
1. Scheme 1: (blue 2004)
2. Scheme 2: (white 2004) (selected cars)
3. Scheme 3: (white)
4.2.5 Zone supervisor cars will be additionally equipped with a trunk pack containing the following:
1. Shotgun shells, 10 rounds (in a box)
2. 40 Caliber Ammunition, 100 rounds (in a box)
3. Crime scene tape, two rolls
4. Operational digital or Polaroid camera with film
5. Measuring wheel
6. 100' measuring tape
7. Traffic cones, two
8. Official barricade sign
9. Flares, fifteen
10. Chalk, one hundred pieces
11. Flex cuffs, one hundred
12. Flex cuff side cutter, two
13. Clean, dry blanket, one
14. Evidence bags (large and small)
15. Evidence and property tags, twenty-five
16. Report forms, fifty per form
17. Hazardous material manual, two
18. First aid kit (complete), one
19. Finger print kit complete, one
20. Contagious disease kit containing:
a. Protective disposable gloves (three pair for each person he or she is supervising.)
b. Red plastic bags and sealing ties, twenty-five
c. Tags for marking plastic bags, twenty-five
d. Tape marked “Danger Contaminated Area”, one roll
e. CPR protective masks with one-way valve, four
4.2.6 Prisoner transport wagons will be marked and equipped the same as a standard marked patrol vehicle including emergency lights mounted on the rear of the roof, but no sirens. Prisoner transport wagons will also carry flex cuffs, side cutters, protective disposable gloves and jumper cables.
4.2.7 Police officers are required to have the following items while operating a marked patrol vehicle.
1. Street guide manual
2. APD traffic safety vest
3. White gloves
4. Whistle
5. Flashlight with orange wand
4.2.8 Each precinct will have available the following items:
1. Two child restraint seats
2. Snow chains
Specialized vehicles such as DUI Countermeasures and SWAT cars will be marked and equipped the same as standard marked patrol vehicles. Emergency equipment is optional and may be used at the discretion of the section commander.
4.4 Motorcycles and Mini-motors
4.4.1 Motorcycles of the Department will be marked with special decals approved by the SSD commander.
4.4.2 Motorcycles will be equipped with blue lights, siren and a mobile radio.
CALEA 5th ed. standard 41.1.3
1. In order to be appointed to ride a mini-motor the officer must be in good standing with the department, possess a valid class” M” driver’s license and pass an 80 hour Motorcycle Training course offered by the Training Academy.
2. Mini-motors will not be equipped with emergency equipment. Mini-motors will not perform traffic stops or vehicle pursuits. They are mainly used for visibility in high-crime/traffic areas.
3. The operation of the mini-motors in the Field Operations Division is to offer visibility patrols in high crime/high traffic areas. Each zone will determine the objective of their operations based on their specific needs.
4. Each zone commander will determine the need and usage of the mini motor, but will not supersede t his directive.
5. The zone commander will designate a person responsible for the condition and maintenance of the mini-motor.
6. The zone commander will determine who is authorized to operate the mini-motor based on disciplinary history, qualifications and training.
4.4.4 Whenever possible, motorcycles and mini motors will be stored under cover.
4.5.1 An unmarked police vehicle will carry OC water and may be equipped as a standard patrol vehicle. Vehicles assigned to an administrative, non-law enforcement function may be exempt from this requirement.
4.5.2 Undercover vehicles will be maintained by the same standards as the rest of the fleet. The SSD commander will determine how the vehicle will be identified as property of the Department.
4.6 Three-wheeled vehicles of the Department will be marked with special decals approved by the SSD commander. The vehicles may display an amber colored light.
4.7 Regulations for Vehicle Operations
4.7.1 While operating a police vehicle, employees will have a valid Georgia Driver's license and their issued employee identification card. Officers and investigators in undercover positions are exempt from carrying an employee identification card.
4.7.2 All employees operating or occupying a police vehicle (other than a motorcycle) will wear a seat belt. The operator will ensure that each front seat passenger wears a seat belt while in a police vehicle. Employees operating motorcycles will wear helmets and eye protection.
4.7.3 Employees will only operate vehicles that they have been assigned. Supervisors will not, except in an emergency, allow employees to operate vehicles that have been designated for another specific use. This includes beat or sector patrol cars.
4.7.4 Prior to being issued a new fuel key, employees will need to complete a fuel key request form and submit it to the SSD commander for approval. The SSD commander will be responsible for submitting the form to Office of Fleet Services and issuing the key to the employee. These keys will only be used by employees to whom they are issued and for the vehicle designated. If the key is lost or stolen, it will be reported to the Support Services Division commander immediately.
4.7.5 The Fleet Management Unit will maintain the master sets of keys for all vehicles. Section commanders will ensure that a set of keys is readily available for each vehicle assigned to their fleet. A duplicate set of keys of all vehicle assigned to the section should be maintained by the section commander and easily accessible by supervisors.
4.7.6 Employees who use police vehicles that operate constantly will maintain a sufficient amount of fuel in the vehicle and will not relinquish to the next operator a vehicle with less than a half tank of fuel.
4.7.7 Employees will enter the correct mileage each time the vehicle is fueled and only use the fuel key assigned to the vehicle.
4.7.8 Each division and section is responsible for shopping vehicles on a timely basis for all service, repairs, upkeep, emission tests and vehicle inspections.
4.7.9 Replenishment of supplies for Departmental vehicles will be handled through the Property Control Unit. Beat, sector, or supervisor vehicles that are missing or have used supplies designated in this directive will be taken to the Property Control Unit during Day Watch hours to be replenished.
4.7.10 The officer will ensure that the patrol vehicle is equipped with a operative fire extinguisher that is fully charged with its expiration date. Each time a fire extinguisher is used, a report will be made and the fire extinguisher will be taken to the Property Control Unit and exchanged for a fully charged extinguisher. Unserviceable extinguishers will also be taken to the Property Control Unit and exchanged for a serviceable extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher is missing, a report will be made and a replacement extinguisher will be obtained from the Property Control Unit.
4.7.11 If a police vehicle is contaminated by a bodily substance, it will be driven to the maintenance shop for de-contamination if practical. Employees will follow the same procedures for de-contamination of a vehicle as for shopping a vehicle for repairs.
4.8 Transporting Prisoners in City Vehicles
4.8.1 Any vehicle used to transport prisoners must be free of weapons, property and contraband before and after the prisoner comes in contact with it. Therefore, the transporting officer will examine the vehicle at the beginning of his or her tour of duty, each time a prisoner is removed from it and at the end of their tour of duty. At a minimum, the examination will consist of the officer removing the rear seat cushion and looking beneath the front seats in the driver’s compartment to ensure that the vehicle is free of weapons, property, and contraband. CALEA 5th ed. standard 70.1.2
4.8.2 All Department marked vehicles used for transporting prisoners will have the driver separated from the prisoner by a security screen. The vehicle's rear door and window mechanisms will be disabled upon acquisition of the vehicle by the Department to minimize opportunities for prisoner escape. CALEA 5th ed. standards 70.4.1 and 70.4.2
4.9.1 Employees with assigned vehicles will be fully responsible for the general maintenance, appearance and proper care of the vehicle. Vehicle maintenance and cleaning will be done during the employee's on-duty hours.
1. Employees will adhere to the Preventive Maintenance Schedule as posted on the upper left of the windshield or on the visor.
2. Employees will fuel vehicles, check lubricants and fluid levels, have any maintenance, regular vehicle service, non-emergency repairs, annual vehicle inspections, and emission tests completed during on-duty hours if possible.
3. Employees will clean their vehicles during on-duty hours and may utilize any of the designated car wash facilities.
4. Employees will not alter the body, general design, appearance, markings, mechanical, electrical, emergency systems or install personal property without approval through the chain of command by the division commander.
5. Employees will not use fuel, oil, lubricants, or other liquid additives in the vehicle other than those provided by Office of Fleet Services.
6. Only Department approved and issued bumper stickers, decals, and plates will be placed on police vehicles. The Department will specify the exact location of approved bumper stickers, decals, and plates. Bumper stickers will not be placed on the painted surface of vehicles or windows.
7. Officers are prohibited from using patrol vehicles to give other vehicles (including patrol vehicles) a "jump start," as this may damage the radio or mobile data terminal (laptop). If a patrol vehicle requires a "jump," a supervisor must remove the mobile data terminal (laptop) from the mount prior to "jump starting" it.
4.9.2 The Office of Fleet Services has set a preventive maintenance (PM) schedule for vehicles:
1. All new vehicles will have an oil change at 750 miles.
2. Marked vehicles will be serviced at 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.
3. Unmarked vehicles will be serviced at 4,000 miles or four months, whichever comes first.
4. Motorcycles will be serviced at 2,000 miles or two months, whichever comes first.
5. Mini-motors and three wheeled vehicles will be serviced at three month intervals, regardless of mileage.
4.9.3 When service or repairs require an extended downtime for an assigned vehicle, employees will only operate a replacement vehicle that has been approved by the appropriate supervisor.
4.10.1 When a City vehicle is in need of repair or is to be shopped, the officer will:
1. Notify his or her supervisor by radio or telephone of the vehicle being stopped.
2. Ensure any weapons are removed (shotguns)
3. Ensure mobile data terminal is removed
4. In the case of supervisor’s vehicle, ensure that all equipment specified in section 4.2.5 is removed, including mobile data terminal
5. Drive the vehicle or have it towed to the City Shop, located at 1370 Howell Mill Road NW.
6. Complete and sign the Office of Fleet Services work order
7. Leave the keys with Office of Fleet Services
8. Before leaving the City Shop, the officer will check if any other vehicles assigned to their zone, section, or unit are repaired and ready to be picked up. If not, he or she should arrange to be picked up from the City Shop.
An officer will notify the Communications dispatcher that his or her vehicle is disabled and will state the location. He or she will go to the City Shop to check the vehicle in for maintenance following the procedures in section 4.10.
4.12 Radio and Mobile Data Terminal (Laptop) Repairs
The Electronics Maintenance Unit (EMU) at 818 Washington Street will handle repairs to the mobile radio and exterior antennas. Upon advising a supervisor of the repair, the police vehicle will be taken to EMU during day watch hours. The EMU at 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. on the first level will handle repairs to the mobile data terminals. Upon advising a supervisor of the repair, the officer will contact EMU by Detective radio channel to ascertain whether a technician is available during the watch.
4.13 Accidents and Incidents of Vehicle Damage
All accidents and incidents with damage involving the Department's vehicles will be reported immediately, by following the guidelines specified in the APD.SOP.4010 “Traffic”, Section 4.16.4, “Collisions Involving City Vehicles”. The unit commander of the employee involved in the accident will forward a copy of the damage to city property police report to the Fleet Management office.
4.14 Use of Department Vehicles Outside City
4.14.1 Employees may drive a City vehicle outside the City limits only for City business, including City-sponsored training.
4.14.2 Employees conducting City business beyond the ten county metropolitan areas (defined by the Atlanta Regional Commission to include Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties) must receive the Chief’s prior approval through their chain of command on a “Taking a City Vehicle Out of the City” form (APD 224).
4.14.3 The Mayor or designee has the authority to give permission to use a City owned vehicle outside the state. These requests will be submitted on a “Taking a City Vehicle Out of the City” form (form APD-224) and a “Vehicle Use Out of State Travel Request” (form 11-M-194) through the Chief of Police to the Director of the Office of Fleet Services.
N/A
APD.SOP.3150 “Vehicle Management” Issued July 1, 2005
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 5th ed. standards 41.1.3, 41.3.1, 41.3.2, 41.3.3, 70.1.2, 70.4.1, 70.4.2, and 71.4.2.
APD.SOP.2010 “Work Rules”
APD.SOP.3151 “Vehicle and Vehicle Equipment”
Criminal Code of Georgia, section 40-6-273
City Code of Atlanta, section 2-1716 |
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