Police officers are responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, prevention of crime, preservation of the public peace, and the apprehension of criminals. They will perform these duties as prescribed in Department orders and as directed by their supervisors. In addition to these and the general and individual responsibilities of all members and employees, police officers are specifically responsible for the following:
A. 
Police mission. A police officer is responsible for the accomplishment of the police mission on his beat. He shall constantly be alert for violations of the laws and ordinances and shall make every effort to prevent breaches of the peace and offenses against persons and property. He shall be held accountable for crime, accidents, disorders and other criminal conditions on his beat.
B. 
Reporting for duty. He shall report promptly at the designated hour and place. In proper uniform for assignment and inspection. He shall listen attentively to orders and instructions of his superior officers and read such materials as are made available to him. He shall make written memoranda of such information as completion of these tasks.
C. 
Familiarization with beat. A police officer shall thoroughly familiarize himself with his beat. He shall be familiar with all public businesses, offices and their entrances, exits, skylights, fire escapes and other possible means of escape. While making security checks of doors, he shall familiarize himself with the locations of safes and night lights. Changes in night lights will be particularly noticed.
D. 
Method travel. During his tour of duty, the police officer shall continuously patrol every part of his beat giving attention to and frequently rechecking locations where the crime hazard is great. As far as possible, he shall not patrol his beat according to any fixed route or schedule but shall alternate frequently and backtrack in order to be at the location least expected.
E. 
Unlocked buildings.
(1) 
When a door or window is found open under suspicious or unusual circumstances on any tour of duty, a police officer shall make a thorough investigation and determine, if possible, whether a burglary or other crime has been committed and whether the door or window can be secured. He shall, if necessary, summon assistance to examine the premises and to secure such doors and windows. He shall notify his command officer and, if possible, the property owner.
(2) 
Under circumstances indicting that an intruder is still inside a building, the officer discovering same should immediately summon assistance and then stand guard. When the assistance arrives, he may enter and search the building.
F. 
Field interviews. At night, when the occasion demands it, the patrolman shall courteously but firmly question persons on the public streets as to their names, addresses, reason for being on the street and other matters relating to the circumstances. In all cases, good judgment and discretion should be used in making a decision to arrest.
G. 
Traffic law enforcement. Motorized police officers are charged with the enforcement of all provisions of local and state traffic codes. Failure to take appropriate action in traffic violations cases is considered neglect of duty.
H. 
Complaint action. A police officer shall carefully investigate all complaints on or near his beat which are assigned to him or which are brought to his attention by citizens. He shall take suitable action in those cases which come under his jurisdiction and inform interested parties of the laws or ordinances relative to the particular complaint or incident. If the legal remedy of the complaint lies outside of the jurisdiction of the Police Department, he shall advise the complainant accordingly and refer him to the proper authority.
I. 
Preliminary investigations. At the scenes of major crimes, subject to direction of higher authority, the first officer at the scene, after it has been established that the perpetrator is no longer present, will begin the preliminary investigation except in the case of homicide or apparent homicide. In all instances, members not assigned will not enter the premises or do any other thing that might interfere with the investigation or destroy evidence. In cases of homicide, the first duty of the patrol officer is to guard the scene excluding all unauthorized persons and to detain all witnesses for interrogation.
J. 
Radio procedure. Motorized police officers shall pay strict attention to all regular radio transmissions. The radio procedure to be utilized by all police officers is as follows:
(1) 
All police officers will give Signal 35 at the beginning of the shift.
(2) 
All police officers will give the Signal 35 at the end of the shift.
(3) 
Control will be advised when two vehicles are being used.
(4) 
Control will be advised of all motor vehicle stops and given registration and location of stop.
(5) 
All police officers will give Signal 80 when at headquarters, and Signal 23 when leaving.
(6) 
All police officers will give Signal 22 upon arrival at a scene.
(7) 
All police officers will give Signal 23 when clear from a scene.
(8) 
All police officers, without exception, shall be in radio contact at all times.
(9) 
All police officers will receive time checks every 1/2 hour from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
(10) 
When two police officers are on duty, but not patrolling together, individual time checks will be made.
(11) 
All police officers will respond to time check with "12 or 13 received."
(12) 
If a police officer does not respond to a radio call within five minutes, control will call for another officer to investigate.
(13) 
All police officers shall not use the Belvidere Radio System for other than official business.
K. 
Notification of serious crimes. In cases of serious crimes, disasters, fires or any other serious matter, the shift supervisor shall see that the Police Chief is notified as soon as possible. In the event the Chief is unavailable, the next senior officer shall be notified.