Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8198RESOLUTION NO. 8198 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE -TO -ONE VEHICLE PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF POLICE OFFICERS WITHIN THE CITY OF PUEBLO BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. Legislative Declaration The City Council hereby finds and determines that: 1. Economic and societal changes within the City of Pueblo require innovative approaches to deal with community crime problems. 2. Programs which increase the visibility of police officers and create a sense of police presence in the community have proven to be deterrents to crime, and to foster a sense of security and peace of mind among community residents. 3. One program which has been shown to enhance visible police presence in a community is a "one -to -one vehicle program ", which is a voluntary, take home vehicle program whereby certain police officers whose normal duties involve operation of a marked police vehicle on patrol duty are assigned the use of a police vehicle on a 24 hour per day basis. 4. In order to obtain the highest degree of police presence, visibility and corresponding deterrence to crime within the City of Pueblo. participation in the one - to -one vehicle program shall be limited to those officers who reside within the City of Pueblo, and use of program vehicles during off duty time shall be limited to operation within the City of Pueblo. 5. Participation in the one -to -one vehicle program shall be voluntary and based upon assignment by the Chief of Police. SECTION 2. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized and directed to adopt rules and regulations implementing a one -to -one vehicle program for the Pueblo Police Department. with the approval of the City Manager and in conformity with this Resolution. SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage. INTRODUCED: August 11 , 19 97 by Samuel Corsentino Councilperson ATTEST: APPROVED: Clerk the City Council 2 PUEBLO POLICE DEPARTMENT ONE -TO -ONE VEHICLE PROGRAM Description of Program The Pueblo Police Department's one -to -one vehicle program is a plan whereby certain officers will be assigned the exclusive use of one marked police vehicle on a year round, 24 hour per day basis. Participation in the program shall be by mutual agreement between the Chief of Police and each program officer, with the exceptions and under the conditions stated herein. II. Goals and Objectives A. The goals of this program are: 1) to generate a "visible police presence" within the city of Pueblo; 2) to demonstrate to the community of Pueblo that its police officers are ready to respond when needed; and 3) to foster a sense of security and peace of mind for the people of Pueblo. B. The objectives of this program are: 1) to increase the visibility of marked police vehicles within the city of Pueblo; 2) to increase the number of marked police units available to respond to crime scenes, emergency situations and other urgent calls for police assistance within the city of Pueblo; 3) to enhance the capability of the department to respond to emergency situations by summoning officers to report in marked police vehicles directly to the site where they are needed; and 4) to improve the maintenance and reliability of marked police vehicles by placing the responsibility for personal care of an assigned unit with one officer. III. Eligibility A. The number of officers and vehicles in the program and the selection and assignment of such officers and vehicles shall be at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police. -1- B. Participation in the program shall be by mutual agreement between the Chief of Police and each officer. C. Program officers must reside within the city limits of Pueblo, and must keep their assigned unit within the city of Pueblo. D. Participation in the program shall be voluntary and is not a condition of employment. E. Officers who participate shall be required to obey all conditions and requirements of the program. IV. Use of Vehicles A. Vehicles allocated to the program shall be operated only by police personnel and shall not be entrusted to any other person. B. All general rules of conduct applicable to uniformed officers working their assigned shift shall also apply to program officers while driving an assigned unit. C. Except when working their regular shift in uniform, program officers shall be appropriately attired to effectively perform police functions and make public contacts when operating an assigned unit. Clothing such as cut- offs, thongs, tank tops and T -shirts displaying inappropriate graphics are prohibited. Officers shall maintain a police windbreaker in the assigned unit. D. Program officers shall exercise good judgment in operation of an assigned unit, and shall not use the vehicle in any manner which may reflect negatively on the Department. E. Program officers shall not exercise any special privileges with an assigned unit. F. Unattended vehicles shall be locked at all times. G. Program officers are encouraged to park their assigned police unit on the street or in their driveway for neighborhood visibility. IN H. Program officers are required to have the police radio turned on while operating an assigned unit, and to take action on significant incidents which warrant police action. I. Officers shall use their assigned radio call sign although officers need not check in and out of service with the dispatcher when not working their assigned shift. IV. Responsibilities of Program Officers A. Program officers not working their assigned shift will summon a regular shift officer to handle any significant incident, and assist until a regular shift officer arrives. If immediate action is required or if the incident can be expeditiously handled, the program officer shall take whatever action is necessary. B. Time permitting, program officers should wear the POLICE wind breaker when making a stop or taking a police action while in civilian clothes. Program officers will identify themselves as a police officer verbally and with their ID and badge. C. Program officers may use their assigned police vehicle to travel to non - police activities within the city limits. 1) The vehicle shall not be utilized for carrying heavy or excessive loads, and will not have objects protruding from the trunk or windows. 2) Use of police vehicles during off -duty jobs is prohibited. D. During vacations, light duty status which prohibits working in the field, or when the officer is out of the city for extended periods of time, the city - owned vehicle will be stored at a city facility. V. Compensation For time spent in handling any significant incident pursuant to Section IV, A above, program officers will be compensated at the rate of time and one -half for the actual time it takes to handle the incident or until released by the regular shift officer. -3- VI. Passengers A. Persons who are not Department member /affiliates may accompany the officer as a passenger when the city -owned police vehicle is operated during a non - assigned shift. 1) Program officers and passenger are covered by the City's automobile and liability insurance program. 2) Program officers are responsible for the proper appearance and conduct of all passengers. 3) The safety of passengers rests solely with the program officer operating the vehicle. a) A passenger will be allowed to accompany the program officer only in the passenger side front seat. b) When asked to respond to a call with a person who is not a Department member, the officer shall make reasonable effort to leave the passenger at a convenient and safe location and then respond to the call. If there is no opportunity to leave the passenger, the officer shall notify the dispatcher that he /she is unable to respond to the call. c) Passengers will not be allowed on Police motorcycles. d) No vehicle shall be operated Code 2 or Code 3 when a person who is not a Department member is a passenger in the car. B. Participants in the Police Department's ride along program will only be allowed to ride with those officers who are working their assigned shift. VII. Alcohol or drugs A. Program officers shall not operate a police vehicle while impaired by or under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs including prescription medications, nor with an odor of alcoholic beverages on their breath. B. Possession or purchase of alcoholic beverages in a city -owned vehicle is prohibited. VIII. Seat Belts A. The driver and passenger shall wear their seat belts when riding in a city - owned vehicle. -4- B. Prisoners will be secured belt may aggravate the officer. IX. Vehicle Maintenance in a seat belt except when the use of the seat situation and cause further difficulties for the A. Each program officer who is assigned a city -owned vehicle is responsible for the proper care and appearance of the vehicle. Except for emergencies, all maintenance, service work, and repair work will be scheduled with the City Shop during their assigned shift. B. Program officers shall refrain from: 1) Performing mechanical work on the vehicle. 2) Altering the body, general design, appearance, markings, mechanical or electrical systems. 3) Making any repairs or having repairs made (excluding flat tires) to the vehicle other than at the City Shops. 4) Adding accessories or equipment, with the exception of cellular telephones and scanners, without written approval of the Chief of Police. C. Supervisors may periodically check the vehicles of program officers under their command to determine that all equipment is present and in good working order, and that the vehicle is clean and has been routinely serviced. D. Program officers are subject to disciplinary action for negligently causing damage to a city -owned vehicle or for the negligent loss of city owned equipment or property. -5-