I. PURPOSE

To describe the authority and to establish guidelines for the operation of police emergency vehicles.

II. POLICY

The operation of police emergency vehicles shall be in accordance with State and County laws and departmental policies and procedures.

III. AUTHORIZED POLICE EMERGENCY VEHICLES

A. Only those vehicles equipped with a siren and blue emergency lights installed with and in a manner approved by the Chief of Police will be authorized for use as police emergency vehicles.

B. Vehicles not equipped with approved emergency equipment shall not be operated in an emergency manner.

IV. AUTHORIZED OPERATORS

The following personnel are authorized to operate police emergency vehicles in an emergency manner:

A. Sworn members of the department;

B. Reserve members of the department when on duty and operating under the immediate supervision of a sworn supervisor.

V. USE OF EQUIPMENT

A. Emergency Equipment

1. Emergency equipment includes the use of blue roof-top or dash-mounted emergency lights, siren and Public Address (P.A.) system.

2. Emergency equipment may be used whenever the circumstances of an incident indicate that such use is appropriate to protect the public.

B. Blue Roof-Top Emergency Light

1. The blue roof-top emergency light shall be mounted on patrol vehicles during on duty hours.

2. The identification lamp shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness.

3. Under special conditions, commanders may authorize the extinguishing of identification lamps or the removal of the blue roof-top emergency light and strap.

4. When conditions at an emergency scene dictate, the blue roof-top emergency light shall be left on in the revolving or flashing position.

5. When off duty, the blue roof-top emergency light shall be removed and stored for safekeeping. The adapter strap may be removed and stored for safekeeping.

6. No driver other than a police officer may operate a police vehicle when the blue emergency light is mounted.

C. Blue Dash-Mounted Emergency Light

1. Officers assigned under the Investigative Bureau shall be issued a blue dash-mounted emergency light.

2. Dash-mounted emergency lights shall be activated inconjunction with the audible siren when responding to emergency calls.

D. Siren

1. When it is deemed necessary to utilize the siren, the blue roof-top or dash-mounted emergency light and the headlights of a vehicle shall also be in operation.

2. The siren shall not be used when responding to routine miscellaneous complaints, minor accidents, major traffic accidents without reported injury, and during periods of light traffic such as the early morning hours during the First Watch, unless authorized to do so by competent authority.

3. Wail

To be used in clearing traffic while responding to an emergency situation. Example: Traffic accidents with injury, high speed pursuits, officer in need of assistance or a crime in progress.

4. Yelp

To be used in accomplishing routine traffic stops, only after all available means such as the blue emergency light and vehicle horn have failed to gain the attention of the pursued driver. On such occasions, a short blast in the "yelp" position may be utilized

5. Hi-Lo

Under no condition or circumstance will the Hi-Lo sound be used.

6. P.A. System

The P.A. system may be utilized during traffic stops and any other situation when deemed necessary.

7. Caution

Members shall exercise good judgment and discretion in the use of the siren and P.A. system.

VI. ASSIGNMENT CODES

A. Code 3

1. An emergency response utilizing the blue roof-top or dash-mounted emergency light in the revolving or flashing mode, the activation of the headlights of the vehicle and the siren in the "wail" position from the point of origin to the destination.

2. This response is to be utilized in situations where the primary consideration is the protection or preservation of life.

3. The following will be considered emergencies which may warrant a Code 3 assignment:

a. Calls assigned by dispatch which are designated as emergencies through the designation "Code 3" response. Dispatchers shall confirm Code 3 assignments with on-duty supervisors whenever possible.

b. Calls or situations where the personal knowledge of an officer justifies a Code 1 assignment being reclassified to a Code 3 assignment. Officers shall notify dispatch and on-duty supervisors of such reclassification of responses whenever possible.

c. Situations wherein a supervisor directs that a Code 3 response is necessary. Supervisors shall ensure that dispatch is notified of any officer assigned to respond Code 3 to an assignment.

d. Pursuit of a violator when the momentary use of emergency equipment is necessary to alert other traffic and/or to command the attention of the operator in violation so that the operator might be directed to stop.

e. Pursuit of a violator wherein the violator refuses to stop, and the continuing use of emergency equipment is necessary in the interest of warning others of the hazardous condition.

B. Code 1

1. A response that is designated for an assignment that consists of operating an emergency vehicle without the use of blue emergency lights or siren. Officers shall respond in an expeditious, but prudent manner, with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway and in compliance with all traffic laws.

2. This response is to be utilized in all situations where the protection or preservation of life is not a consideration regardless of any apparent urgency.

VII. OPERATION OF POLICE EMERGENCY VEHICLES

A. Authority to Operate The Statewide Traffic Code permits authorized emergency vehicles to be operated in an emergency manner:

1. In response to an emergency call; or when

2. In immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

B. Manner of Operation

1. When a vehicle is being operated in an emergency manner, the officer driving will use the blue emergency lights, headlights and siren. Neither the siren nor the blue emergency lights alone are sufficient; both must be used for the response to be considered emergency in nature.

2. Code 3 responses shall be held to the essential minimum, with such responses ending at the earliest possible time.

3. If a response code is not assigned by dispatch, it should be assumed that the assignment requires a Code 1 response.

4. The authority to drive contrary to regulatory codes does not relieve officers of the responsibility of exercising due regard for others. When regulating speed and driving behavior, officers should give consideration to such factors as the nature and seriousness of the offense or suspected offense, weather conditions, traffic control devices, character of the neighborhood, traffic volume and road and vehicle conditions.

C. Emergency Escorts for Private Vehicles

1. Officers should not escort under "Code 3" conditions except when performing the following:

a. Escorting for the purpose of preserving life.

b. Expediting the movement of supplies or personnel during a national, state or local emergency.

2. When escorting for the purpose of preserving life, officers will consider the nature of the emergency, the dangers and hazards involved, and the emotional condition of the person to be escorted before deciding to escort "Code 3."

D. Special Duty Escort Services

Officers may utilize blue emergency lights on subsidized police vehicles when providing special duty escort services. In such instances, police vehicles are not considered emergency vehicles and officers operating such vehicles shall follow all traffic rules and regulations.

VIII. EXCEPTIONS TO USE

The Chief of Police may authorize exceptions regarding the use of emergency equipment or vehicles.

JOHN R. DE SA
ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE

(Amended: 9-13-94)