POLICE SUPPORT CAR PROGRAM - Government - http://maxpages.com/minnickward4/POLICE_SUPPORT_CAR

Presently we have 33 police officers, six live in N. Ridgeville. The others live in Wellington, LaGrange, Grafton, Lorain, etc. Approximately 498 miles are added daily to our vehicles. This costs taxpayers over $27,000/yearly.

In March 16, 1998 council authorized the "continuation of the N. Ridgeville Police Support Car Program as determined in a policy which shall be placed on file and available for public inspection in the Clerk of Council's Office."

Although our officers do a fine job, I don't believe allowing non-resident officers to take their cars home is a wise use of our tax dollars. To date, I do not feel monthly reports indicate the project is worth the expenditure.

The Vehicle Listing for our Police Department shows 34 4-door sedans, 1 station wagon, 1 pick-up truck, and 1 ambulance (swat team). As of this writing I don't have the cost for insurance. Also consider, the officers do not pay for maintenance--they only arrange it.

Ordinance No. 3066-95, April 3, 1995, revises and continues the N. Ridgeville Resident Police Support Car program and states no police department vehicles (marked or unmarked) except for the Chief of Police...shall be removed from the City of N. Ridgeville on off duty hours except during special circumstances... The following is the Policy on file as of January 1, 1998:

I. Goals of the support car program
A. To provide greater visibility of police on the streets and in the neighborhoods hereby providing more security to the citizens.
B. To deter crime by limiting the opportunity of the criminal to commit the act by the presence of more visible police vehicles.
C. To provide for fast response of off-duty personnel when they are called back to duty because of an emergency.
D. To reduce the maintenance cost expended on the vehicles by establishing individual responsibility.
II. Assignment of support cars
A. This program will provide each participating N. Ridgeville police officer with a police vehicle assigned to him exclusively, for his own use in providing service and security to the citizens of N. Ridgeville.
B. Authority for assigning support cars will be vested in a support committee of five people which shall include one Division Commander, one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and two Patrolmen selected by the Chief.
III. Equipment placed on support vehicles - Refers to equipment on the police cars
IV. Maintenance responsibilities
A. Support vehicles are assigned to one police officer on a full-time basis. The acceptance of support cruiser creates an obligation and responsibility on the part of the officer for the care and operation of his vehicle.
B. For this reason the assigned officer is responsible for scheduling maintenance for his vehicle with the police mechanic, or with any other certified repair facility that has been approved by the board to repair the cars.
C. The vehicle shall be scheduled for maintenance and repairs during the officers off duty time. There will be compensation for transporting the vehicle to and from the garage. In all instances of maintenance a maintenance report is to be completed by the officer.
D. Officers accepting a support vehicle will maintain the vehicle in a clean and attractive condition at all times. Routine washing and cleaning will be performed on the officers off-duty time without compensation.
E. through H. refer to an officer altering the car and keeping records of inspections.
V. Off-duty obligations
A. An officer accepting a support vehicle may utilize the vehicle for personal business* (*within the city of N. Ridgeville), transportation to assigned schools, court appearances, and other departmental business.
B. Any officer who accepts a support vehicle is required to respond to any NRPD "Officer Needs Assistance" call while using the support vehicle off duty.
C. Mutual aid calls may be answered after the responding officer asks the originating agency for permission to respond.
D. Off-duty support vehicle officers are to assist citizen requests for assistance either by actual request or by observed, obious need. Officer involvement in off-duty incidents requiring police intervention is encouraged and expected while in suppport vehicle.
E. Witnessed law violations observed while operating the support vehicle willhave enforcement action taken according to normal police procedures and legal restraints.
F. The support car will not be operated by anyone other than the assigned officer or authorized city employee.
G. Support vehicles will not be utilized by off-duty officers or passengers who have or intend to consume alcoholic beverages.
H. Officers accepting a support vehicle will be required while off-duty to carry the departmental side arm or an approved inspected alternate weapon.
I. Officers on sick leave, vacation or suspension may be denied any departmental vehicles or equipment. While on the above sick leave, vacation or suspension the officers support car may become a fleet vehicle for the Department.
J. States cars not to be used for carrying heavy or protruding objects.
K. Accidents involving off-duty support vehicle to be handled per department Reg. 90-1.
L. Officers accepting support vehicles will not be eligible for overtime compensation on the off-duty responses, until the officer has put in 30 min. of off duty time per incident. Off duty incidents going past 30 min. gratis will be paid overtime rate for actual time worked.
VI. Required reports - details not necessary for this informative website.
VII. Support car security - details not necessary for this informative website.
VIII. Part time employment and support vehicles
A. Police officers willnot utilize the support vehicle on part time jobs as part of the employment. However, support cars may be utilized for transportation to and from a part time employment. (Conflicts with V-A)
IX. Performance standards
A. Basically states office has obligation to meet the goals of the program and follow the rules.
B. The of-duty police officer with a support vehicle will, while in the support vehicle, enforce the law as he would in an "on duty" status.
C. The police officer with a support vehicle will be required to use his furnished equipment to its maximum potential whether it be through assisting citizens in need of help, enforcing all laws, backing up on-duty units, or standing by an incident until an on-duty unit can respond. This dedication of off duty time requires self sacrifice as a matter of routine. Any officer who does not have that dedications should not accept a support vehicle.
X. Program review and personal performance
A-D. Details violations and disciplinary actions.

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Page Updated Fri Oct 1, 2004 11:20pm EDT