July 1, 2004 To establish policies and procedures for the use of marked patrol vehicles.

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Atlanta Police Department

Policy Manual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Operating

Procedure

 

Effective Date

December 15, 2011

 

APD.SOP.3151

 Use of Marked Take-Home Vehicles

Applicable To:  All employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  12/1/11

 

 

1.               PURPOSE

 

To establish policies and procedures for the use of marked take-home patrol vehicles on and off duty.

 

2.               POLICY

 

It is the policy of the Atlanta Police Department to authorize marked take – home vehicles for officers who live within the city limits of Atlanta.

 

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

 

3.1              Section commanders shall increase police visibility to the citizens of Atlanta in accordance with this directive by permitting selected officers who reside in the city limits of Atlanta to use marked police vehicles during off duty hours.

 

3.2              Sworn employees selected to take marked vehicles home overnight are responsible for ensuring the care, cleaning, and scheduled maintenance of the vehicle through the City Shop of the Office of Fleet Services.

 

4                ACTION

 

4.1              Care of the Police Vehicle

 

1.    An officer shall conduct a vehicle inspection and complete the vehicle maintenance checklist on the back of the Daily Activity Report (Form APD 607) before operating the vehicle.  Any minor maintenance problem shall be promptly reported to the immediate supervisor and corrected by the City shop of the Office of Fleet Services.

 

2.    The officer shall also check for weapons, contraband, and loose articles.  Officers shall give special attention to the underside of the rear seat cushion.

 

3.    If the officer must leave the vehicle, and the full view of the vehicle is obstructed, or the officer is at a distance, preventing immediate occupancy, the vehicle must be locked, and the keys must be on the officer's person.

 

4.2              Use of marked patrol vehicles off duty

 

4.2.1           Section commanders shall select the officers to use marked police vehicles while off duty.

 

1.    Unit commanders shall provide section commanders with a list of applicants to take marked patrol vehicles home when off duty. The section commanders shall select officers based on the following criteria.

 

a.    Officers shall have successfully completed the new hire probationary period.

 

b.    Officers must reside within the City limits of Atlanta.

 

c.    Officers must have had no at fault vehicle accidents within 12 months of the date of selection.

 

d.    Officers must volunteer to participate in the take-home vehicle program.

 

e.    Officer’s most recent performance appraisal must be at the effective level or higher.

 

f.     Officers must be assigned to the section commander that makes that selection.

 

g.    Officers must not have had any suspension days in the last six months.

 

h.    Officers must not have an at fault vehicle accident from the date of selection, in order to remain eligible.

 

i.     Employees selected must be at the rank of police officer or senior police officer.

 

2.    Section commanders shall submit monthly reports to the commander of the Field Operations Division on the use of marked take-home vehicles by the off-duty officers.  The Field Operations Division shall forward a comprehensive report to the Chief’s office.  The reports shall include but not be limited to:

 

a.    Miles driven by each officer with a take-home vehicle.

 

b.    Number of arrests (felonies and misdemeanors), traffic citations, and criminal apprehensions;

 

c.    Business contacts made; and

 

3.    Officers (except Hit & Run Officers) driving marked vehicles off duty shall wear the approved department uniform (see APD.SOP.2130 “Dress Code/Uniforms”) while operating the vehicle.  They shall adhere to all State Laws, City Ordinances and Departmental rules, regulations and policies. They shall also be required to enforce all laws and ordinances coming to their attention while operating the vehicle.

 

4     Officers operating a marked take-home vehicle (other than motorcycles) shall wear a seat belt. Also, the officer shall ensure that each passenger in their care wears a seatbelt while the vehicle is in operation.

 

5.    No passengers shall be transported in City-owned vehicles except when transportation of a passenger is necessary to conduct City business or approved by the Chief or his designee.

 

6.    Officers selected for the use of marked vehicles shall not use the vehicles for their personal use, but may use the vehicles going to and from extra jobs.

 

7.    Take-home patrol cars shall not be used on regular assigned tours of duty.  Take home vehicles (cars) assigned to officers in the DUI Task Force, SWAT, K-9, and the Hit & Run Unit may be used on regular tours of duty.

 

8.    When off-duty, and operating their take-home vehicle, an officer shall use the word “Unit” followed by their four digit ID number and ending in an “X” (example: “Unit 0123X”to identify themselves on the police radio.

 

9.    Responding to Calls

 

a.    When responding to calls, driving to and from extra jobs, or driving to and from their regular assigned tours of duty, officers shall advise the appropriate zone’s dispatcher of any stops, arrests, or other police action.  Officers shall follow all departmental procedures in the commission of these duties.

 

b.    Officers shall log all stops or arrests on their “Daily Activity Report”.  If physical arrests are made, officers shall request the presence of a supervisor from the zone in which the stop was made.

 

10.  Vehicles awarded by the Atlanta Police Foundation’s housing program and operated by Atlanta Police Department personnel shall adhere to all policies, procedures, regulations, and restrictions as set forth in this policy.

 

5.               DEFINITIONS

 

                  N/A

 

6.               CANCELLATIONS

 

                  APD.SOP.3151 Use of Marked Take-home Vehicles, effective October, 1, 2006

 

7.               REFERENCES

 

                  APD.SOP.2130 Dress Code/Uniforms

                  City Code Section 2-1715 (f) “Private use of municipally-owned vehicles”