(Policy) Patrol Operations

Question 1

Role of the Department

The responsibilities and activities of the Dallas County Community College District Police Department are grouped into four broad categories that support the educational process. The categories are:

Answer 1

1. Law Enforcement
2. Crime Prevention
3. Security Services
4. Courtesy Services

Question 2

The patrol component at each campus is under the command of either

Answer 2

a Police Commander or Police Captain.

Question 3

The primary functional responsibilities of patrol include:

Answer 3

1. Provide law enforcement services to members of the community college district and visitors.
2. Respond to calls for service
3. Crime prevention through patrol.
4. Secure and protect district facilities and assets.
5. Traffic enforcement
6. Investigate incidents and make the appropriate reports.
7. Provide law enforcement services for district functions and events
8. Enforcement of Dallas County Community College District rules and regulations.
9. Reporting hazardous and unsafe conditions affecting district property.
10. Provide services to the community as outlined by department policy/procedure.

Question 4

can be made in public places, alleys, and private parking lots, which are open to the public, or where a substantial amount of the public has access (i.e., gated community).

Answer 4

DWI arrests

Question 5

1. Assist officer
2. A vehicle crash with injuries
3. Officers may respond to Code 3 to calls for service which involves serious violence or calls in which the use of emergency response may reduce the possibility of serious injury or continued violence.

Answer 5

Emergency calls

Question 6

The operation of an emergency vehicle in normal traffic without using emergency lights and siren, and obeying all traffic laws

Answer 6

Code 1

Question 7

Responding to an emergency call which, requires the use of both emergency lights and siren

Answer 7

Code 3

Question 8

Officers responding to an __________ will advise the dispatcher that they are responding to Code 3.

Answer 8

emergency call

Question 9

The _________ to arrive at the scene of an emergency will, as soon as practical, evaluate and advise the dispatcher the need for additional responding units to continue responding Code 3 or reduce to Code 1.

Answer 9

first officer

Question 10

Code 3 operation is prohibited in the following circumstances

Answer 10

a. Escorting private vehicles
b. When transporting a prisoner
c. While non-police personnel are in the vehicle and who have not signed a waiver of liability

Question 11

Emergency warning lights may be used without the siren in the following situations:

Answer 11

a. Traffic stops,
b. During escorts
c. Parades or VIP motorcade
d. Department approved special events

Question 12

1. To ensure the safety of students on the college campus, the Department will provide limited courtesy escorts to students, staff, and visitors traveling on campus.
2. Emergency calls for assistance will always take priority over courtesy escorts.
3. The primary purpose of the courtesy escort is to provide a safe means of travel for students, staff, and visitors.
4. The officer will notify the dispatcher of the beginning and ending mileage of the escort.

Answer 12

Courtesy Escorts

Question 13

Officers will enforce parking violations that violate state law and city ordinance, such as;

Answer 13

handicapped spaces, fire lanes, no parking zones, blocking sidewalks, blocking driveways, etc.

Question 14

High-risk traffic stop will be conducted when an officer is confronted with stopping a suspected

Answer 14

armed subject, violent criminal, fleeing suspect, etc. where the officer reasonably believes a higher level of protection is needed.

Question 15

The following procedure will be used to make a high-risk traffic stop:

Answer 15

1. Choose the stop location carefully, avoiding curves and intersections. Consider stop locations where adequate cover is available should it become necessary.
2. Inform the dispatcher of the location of the traffic stop; street name with block number or cross streets, vehicle license plate number and state, description of the vehicle, make, model if known, color, type (car or truck), and the number of doors, and the number of observed vehicle occupants.
3. Request backup officers and a supervisor and wait for their arrival prior to initiating the stop. There may be circumstances that require officers to act prior to the arrival of backup.
4. Activate emergency lights, use the horn or siren if needed, to alert the driver to stop.
5. The circumstances of the stop may dictate officer placement, but as a general practice, officers should position their patrol car approximately twenty-five feet behind the stopped vehicle. The vehicle should be positioned at a 45-degree angle to the left to provide cover for the officer. Officers should utilize the appropriate amount of hardcover such as the “A” pillar of the driver or passenger doors or other portions of their vehicle or other available hardcover.
6. The first backup unit to arrive will position itself to the right of the stopping patrol car, if possible. The second backup unit will position itself to the left of the stopping patrol car, if possible.
7. Officers will maintain awareness of other officers’ lines and zones of fire and not place themselves nor put someone else in danger of being struck by gunfire.
8. The officer initiating the stop will give all commands to the occupant(s) of the stopped vehicle.
9. At night the use of high beam headlight, spotlight, and takedown lights should be used to conceal the officer’s approach and assist in the visibility of the inside of the stopped vehicle.
10. The officer who initiated the stop will serve as the primary contact officer and will verbally challenge and give orders to the occupant(s) of the vehicle. If the officer’s vehicle is with a PA, the offic

Question 16

Steps for removing occupants during a high-risk traffic stop

Answer 16

1. Announce – “This is the Dallas County Community College District Police Department” or “This is the DCCCD Police Department,” “Do not move!”
2. Direct the driver to put the vehicle transmission in park and to turn off the engine
3. Direct the driver to turn on the interior lights (dome light)
4. Direct the driver put their hands out of the window
5. Direct other occupants (respective to their seating position) to place their hands on the dash or the headrest in front of them
6. Direct the driver to with their left hand, hold the car keys out the window and drop them to the ground
7. Direct the driver open the door from the outside with their left hand
8. Direct the driver to get out of the vehicle and to face away from the officers
9. Direct the driver to open any coats or jackets and to raise their shirt, exposing their waistband
10. Direct the driver while holding their shirt up to slowly turn.
11. If any weapons are observed, verbally acknowledge the presence of the weapon and direct the driver not to touch the weapon
12. With their hands up, direct the driver with their hands up to walk backwards towards the officer
13. At a safe position have the driver kneel, cross their legs at the ankle, and place their hands on their head or behind their back
14. A contact (arresting) officer and a cover officer will approach the driver. The contact officer will handcuff and search the driver for weapons, then escort the arrestee to a squad car or hand off to another officer
15. Except for turning off the car and dropping the vehicle keys, the same process will be used to remove the remaining occupants
16. After all visible occupants have been removed, the primary officer will verbally challenge the vehicle as if someone is still in the vehicle. Suggested verbiage is - “You in the vehicle, come out of the vehicle with your hands up! Do it now!” If there are other occupants in the vehicle, remove them in the same manner as above

Question 17

Procedure for clearing a vehicle during a high-risk traffic stop.

Answer 17

1. The cover officer will approach the suspect vehicle from the right rear side
2. The cover officer will check the trunk/hatch of the vehicle with their non-gun hand and ensure that it secure
3. The contact officer will continue to challenge the vehicle acting as a distraction and to mask the sounds of the cover officer’s approach
4. While moving from the rear forward, the cover officer will tactically check the interior of the vehicle for secreted occupants. If other occupants are discovered, the cover officer will retreat to a position of cover, and the occupant will again be challenged to exit the vehicle, and occupant removal will be handled as above
5. After a reasonable attempt and if the subject does not exit the vehicle, the situation will be considered a BARRICADED PERSON SITUATION, and a command-level officer will request tactical (SWAT) assistance from the appropriate jurisdiction.

Question 18

Vehicle processing at the conclusion of a high-risk traffic stop

Answer 18

Considering the circumstance of the high-risk traffic stop, the potential that the vehicle is subject of a major crime and thus the vehicle should be considered a crime scene and should be handled as such. A supervisor will contact the CID Commander and consult him/her regarding the proper handling/processing of the vehicle and, if necessary, request their presence to provide investigative assistance.

Question 19

When initiating a traffic stop, the officer will notify the dispatcher of his/her intention to stop the vehicle and provide the following information to the dispatcher:

Answer 19

1. Location of the traffic stop; street name with block number or cross streets
2. Vehicle license plate number and state
3. Description of the vehicle, make, model if known, color, type (car or truck), and the number of doors.
4. Number of observed vehicle occupants

Question 20

Multiple Violations

Answer 20

1. When multiple violations are observed, which can be classified separately as having distinctly different elements, they shall be dealt with independently. A motorist stopped for following too closely and subsequently found to be operating without a driver’s license may be issued two separate citations.
2. In situations where two violations are similar to the extent that the elements of one are included in the other law, only the most serious violation will be charged. Do not cite for lesser included offenses.
3. A verbal warning may be issued at the officer’s discretion for a non-hazardous violation in conjunction with another citation for a more hazardous moving violation.

Question 21

If the violator was issued a license in this state or their state of residence and the violator’s driving privileges have been revoked or suspended,

Answer 21

the officer may cite for driving while license is invalid.

Question 22

Seven (7) Step Traffic Stop Intervie

Answer 22

1. Greet the driver, identify yourself, and the name of the department
2. State the violation committed. For example – “I stopped you because you ran stop sign behind you.”
3. Request the identification of the driver and check the conditions of the driver and of the vehicle
4. State the action to be taken. For example – ”I am issuing you a citation for speeding.” or “I am providing you a warning for failure to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.”
5. Take the action stated. As required by Article 2.132, of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Sandra Bland Act), when a citation or warning is issued, the violator must receive information relating to the department’s compliment and complaint process, including providing the telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address to make a compliment or complaint with respect to each ticket, citation, or warning issued by a peace officer.
6. Explain to the driver the process for any citations issued
7. Leave

Question 23

Officers may ask for consent to search the vehicle from the owner or driver

Answer 23

Consensual vehicle searches

Question 24

ABANDONED VEHICLE

Answer 24

A. If a vehicle has been left unattended for at least 48 hours on any district property, the following procedures shall be followed:

1. An attempt shall be made to contact the vehicle owner to determine the status of the vehicle and establish a reasonable period of time for the owner or driver to have the vehicle removed.
2. If the owner cannot be contacted, officers will tag the vehicle with a parking violation sticker. If the owner is unable or unwilling to remove the vehicle, the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense.
3. If the vehicle is unlocked, the officer authorizing the tow will inventory the vehicle contents

B. If a vehicle is illegally parked on District controlled property for any of the following reasons, the vehicle may be towed:

1. Interfering with the movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
2. Blocking a sidewalk, loading dock, ramp, crosswalk, entrance, exit, fire lane, or aisle.
3. Blocking the roadway or traffic lane.

C. In all situations, the officer will obtain the approval of a supervisor prior to towing a vehicle.

D. In all cases, complete documentation including attempts to contact the owner or operator, shall be required to justify the towing of a vehicle from District controlled property.

E. The Campus Commander or designee shall be responsible for sending a certified letter to the registered owner and Lienholder of the vehicle, the next business day following the tow. The letter shall inform the owner where the vehicle was abandoned or illegally parked, the location where the vehicle is being stored, preservation, and storage charges.

F. If the vehicle is not within the Dallas County Community College District Police Department jurisdiction, the agency of jurisdiction shall be contacted and informed of the abandoned vehicle. If the abandoned vehicle is causing a hazardous condition, the Dallas County Community College District Police Department employee may stand by and render assistance until the agency of jurisdiction arrives.

G. Record of Towing

1. A detailed CAD entry and ARMS report will be made documenting in the incident. It will include but are not limited to:
   a. Description of the vehicle
   b. Location of the vehicle
   c. Cause for tow
   d. Attempt(s) made to contact the registered owner prior to towing.
   e. An indication that the vehicle was tagged, if applicable.
   f. Identification of all apparent damage to the vehicle prior to towing.
2. A tow sheet will be completed for all vehicles towed pursuant to this policy. The completed tow sheet will be scanned and attached to the ARMS report and sent via inter-office mail to the Communications Center to be placed in the tow sheet file. Release of towed vehicles shall be in accordance with the Communications SOP.

Question 25

Fire Alarm Responsibilities

Answer 25

a. When arriving prior to the fire department, officers will park in a position that will not hamper fire department access to the location or access to fire hydrants.
b. Responding officers will set a perimeter to prevent the entry of non-emergency responders.
c. When arriving prior to the Fire Department, the officer will advise the dispatcher if any evidence of fire is showing (flames, smoke, and evacuated facility, etc.)
d. If no evidence of fire is present and the Fire Department has not yet arrived, the officer shall attempt to locate the fire alarm location and responsible party.
e. If the officer arrives after the Fire Department, he/she will consult with the Fire Department officer in charge to determine their needs, such as crowd control and traffic management.

Question 26

Medical Alarm Responsibilities

Answer 26

Officers will park in a tactically advantageous position so as not to alert any offenders of their arrival. Some medical alarms have been used in cases of domestic disturbances, and officers should be alert to this possibility.

b. Officers should carefully approach the location and determine if a medical emergency exists. If a medical emergency exists, the officer will notify the dispatcher to have EMS respond to the location. Officers will assist the complainant to the level of their training and ability until EMS or medical personnel arrive.

Question 27

Panic Alarm Responsibilities

Answer 27

a. Officers will park in a tactically advantageous position so as not to alert any offenders of their arrival. Sometimes medical alarms have been used in cases of domestic disturbances, and officers should be alert to this possibility.
b. Dependent upon the situation, the responding officer may have the dispatcher attempt to contact the location by phone prior to the approach.
c. If contact is made, communications should request the complainant meet the officer outside.
d. If contact is not made, the officers should carefully approach the location and attempt to determine if anything is wrong. A supervisor shall be contacted for further instructions.

Question 28

Burglar Alarm Responsibilities

Answer 28

a. Officers will park in a tactically advantageous position so as not to alert any offenders of their arrival.
b. Officers will carefully conduct an observation of the building to determine if there is evidence of entry.
c. If an open door or window is unsecured, the officer will request backup.
i. A minimum of two officers will conduct a building search.
ii. Officers shall advise Dispatch of the location of the open door or window and if they enter the building.
d. Dispatch will notify officers if a representative of the location is en route. Dispatch will ask the responding representative for a description to include their name, race, age, gender, clothing, and vehicle description and provide that information to the officers on the scene.
e. Officers will stand by if advised that a representative is en route to their location. If a representative is not en route, the location should be secured to the extent possible.
f. Regardless if a building representative arrives, only police officers and security will conduct an interior building search. The responding representative will be directed by officers to stay outside of the building until authorized to enter the building by officers

Question 29

Officer Response

Answer 29

a. Unless dispatch information indicates a person is in immediate danger, officers will respond to burglar and fire alarms Priority 2 or routine driving. Officers will not delay their response.
b. Officers will respond to Panic alarms Priority 1 but will slow and reduce speed near the location in order not to alert any offenders.

Question 30

Dispatch Procedures

Answer 30

a. When possible, two officers shall be dispatched to all burglary, panic, and any medical alarms. The first unit arriving does have the authority to cancel the assist unit.
b. A single officer may be dispatched on Fire alarm calls if the Fire Department is also dispatched.

Question 31

Alarm Response

Answer 31

a. Burglar
b. Panic
c. Medical
d. Fire
e. Robbery (see section G below for Robbery Alarm Response)