Members and employees are responsible for the
proper care of Department property and equipment assigned to them.
Damaged or lost property may subject the responsible individual to
reimbursement charges and appropriate disciplinary action.
Members and employees shall immediately report
to their commanding officer in writing any loss of or damage to Department
property assigned to or used by them. The immediate superior will
be notified of any defects or hazardous conditions existing in any
Department equipment or property.
Members and employees shall not mar, mark or
deface any surface in any Department building. No material shall be
affixed in any way to any wall in Department buildings without specific
authorization from a commanding officer.
Members and employees shall not alter or deface
any posted notice of the Department. Notices or announcements shall
not be posted on bulletin boards without permission of a commanding
officer.
Members shall not use any Department vehicle
without the permission of a superior officer. Department vehicles
shall never be used for personal business or pleasure.
Members and employees, when driving vehicles
of any description, private or of the Department, shall not violate
the traffic laws except only in cases of absolute emergency, and then
only in conformity with the law regarding same. They shall set an
example for other persons in the operation of their vehicles.
Members driving any Department vehicle, when
responding to an emergency call, shall exercise judgment and care,
with due regard to the safety of life and property. They shall slow
down at all street intersections to such a degree that, when crossing
same, they will have safe control of their cars, especially when crossing
street intersections where the traffic signal lights are against them
or where there are stop signs. They shall use the red light and sound
the siren on such calls and take the utmost precaution. They shall
limit use of red flashing lights where safe to do so, using alternating
lights and/or the vehicle's four-way flashers after the vehicle has
come to a full stop.
Citizens will be transported in Department vehicles
only when necessary to accomplish a police purpose. Such transportation
will be done in conformance with Department policy or at the direction
of a command officer, immediate supervisor or communications center.
Accidents involving municipal personnel, property
and equipment must be reported in accordance with Department procedures.
In the event that municipal property is found
bearing evidence of damage which has not been reported, it shall be
prima facie evidence that the last person using the property or vehicle
was responsible.
