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.