S122-Use of Vehicles

Question 1

S122

Answer 1

Use of Vehicles

Question 2

Department vehicles shall only be operated for

Answer 2

business purposes and those duties that are approved by the Dept.

Question 3

Employees who operate Department or personal vehicles for Department business purposes shall…

Answer 3

hold a valid driver’s license and must be authorized to use Department vehicles

Question 4

Employees shall operate these vehicles in compliance with all applicable laws, including the

Answer 4

use of seat belts by drivers and passengers, and the requirements of Department policy.

Question 5

High-speed pursuits are strictly prohibited.

Answer 5

High-speed pursuits are strictly prohibited.

Question 6

The use of personal vehicles for Department business or details shall be subject to the approval of the

Answer 6

Superintendent or designee.

Question 7

Employees who are approved to use their personal vehicle for Department business may be reimbursed for travel expenses

Answer 7

according to the relevant collective bargaining agreement or other Department policy

Question 8

The employee assumes liability for the use of a

Answer 8

personal vehicle for official Department business except as otherwise covered by policy, statute or regulation.

Question 9

Inmates shall not be permitted to operate Department vehicles

Answer 9

Inmates shall not be permitted to operate Department vehicles

Question 10

All Department vehicles must undergo annual

Answer 10

safety inspections in accordance with state law

Question 11

Safety repairs shall be completed immediately, and

Answer 11

vehicles may not be used until repairs are made.

Question 12

Personnel assigned to the Transportation Division are responsible for:

Answer 12

1.control and assignment of Department vehicles;
2. development, implementation, and maintenance of a mechanism (i.e. vehicle log book) that records Department vehicle use;
3. the control of vehicle keys/fobs, including a set of spare keys/fobs for each vehicle
4.ensuring that each vehicle is clean, inside and out, at all times, properly maintained, and periodically inspected; 5.ensuring that each vehicle is equipped with: a. two-way radio communication (security vehicles only); b. a five (5) pound dry chemical fire extinguisher; and c. an First Responder Kit.

Question 13

All vehicles entering or leaving the facility shall be

Answer 13

searched and logged by the officer(s) manning the gate in accordance with S501, Security and Control.

Question 14

All vehicles should be inspected by each operator daily (Form 122-1), and any damage or deficiencies reported to

Answer 14

the Transportation Division

Question 15

Employees assigned a Department vehicle to take home shall conduct a daily inspection

Answer 15

but they need not complete the Form 122-1 each day.

Question 16

Whenever a vehicle is left unattended

Answer 16

the driver must ensure it is securely locked

Question 17

Staff to whom Department vehicles have been assigned are responsible for:

Answer 17

1. controlling keys/fobs, and must inform the Transportation Division before the end of their shift of any lost keys/fobs;
   2.conducting daily inspections of the vehicle;
   3.and notifying the Transportation Division when necessary regarding the vehicle’s condition, operation or maintenance.

Question 18

The use of blue lights, wig-wag flashers, and sirens is restricted to situations where increased visibility and alerting the public is necessary due to

Answer 18

emergency operations, severe weather conditions, or participation in a parade or similar public activity

Question 19

The purpose of these signaling devices is to increase safety and security, and their use should be

Answer 19

limited to only that which is necessary under the circumstances.

Question 20

When lights and siren are used in emergency operations,

Answer 20

Central Control / operations shall be informed by the vehicle driver or partner

Question 21

Lights and/or siren may be used during emergency operations as necessary to alert other drivers, to help clear traffic congestion, and to permit one to pass safely

Answer 21

in such circumstances, lights may be used continuously, but sirens should only be used intermittently to maximize effect and reduce confusion of other drivers.

Question 22

Emergency lights may be used continuously, at the discretion of the vehicle driver, in severe weather conditions to

Answer 22

increase visibility and safety

Question 23

Emergency lights shall be used continuously at an accident scene or if the Department vehicle is disabled on the road to

Answer 23

increase visibility and ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and the public.

Question 24

if directed to stop by police, employees must comply unless doing so would be likely to

Answer 24

create a threat to the safety or security of officers, inmates, or others

Question 25

When signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer in a marked police vehicle, employees are expected to

Answer 25

act with courtesy and cooperation, exercising good judgment in consideration of safety/security, and the provisions of this policy

Question 26

Employees must identify themselves to law enforcement officers when asked, and should

Answer 26

ask the officer’s name and determine the purpose for which the employee was stopped.

Question 27

All “stops” by police shall be reported in writing to the

Answer 27

Shift Commander and the Transportation Division supervisor.

Question 28

If approached by an unmarked vehicle, or signaled to stop by a non-uniformed person, or in circumstances that cause an employee to seriously question the validity of the individual and the purpose of the stop, officers should exercise caution: in such a case, immediately notify

Answer 28

Central Control by radio and seek direction from a supervisor.

Question 29

If signaled to stop during “high risk” transportation when security concerns are substantial, when under specific instructions regarding special risk of escape, or when under “high risk” security escort, officers should

Answer 29

attempt to inform the police officer of their status by the best means available (i.e. radio, radio relay through Central Control, or directly by voice or vehicle PA) and ask the officer to contact the Department.

Question 30

Employees operating Department vehicles, or operating personal vehicles on approved Department business, shall immediately notify Central Control at the Jail by radio or telephone regarding all significant developments that occur (including any motor vehicle accidents) and

Answer 30

file a written report prior to the end of the shift, or as soon as practical thereafter.

Question 31

The vehicle operator must complete and submit a written report identifying any damage to, or malfunction of, a Department vehicle to the

Answer 31

Transportation Division prior to the end of the shift or as soon as practical thereafter.

Question 32

Photographs should be taken of the vehicle regardless of

Answer 32

whether or not there is damage or any physical contact made with another vehicle or object.
Submit the incident report to the Shift Commander, Fleet Services, and Communications.

Question 33

The vehicle operator may also be required to submit additional reports at the direction of the

Answer 33

Shift Commander, Transportation supervisor, or SID investigator

Question 34

In every incident involving a Department vehicle, a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) vehicle accident report must be filed with the

Answer 34

Transportation Division by the operator before the end of the shift.

Question 35

The Transportation Division shall ensure that copies of all reports and photographs are forwarded to

Answer 35

General Counsel for their use in the event of litigation.

Question 36

Department vehicles should only be parked in

Answer 36

an area designated for Department vehicles.