SECTION: 603 VEHICLE UNIT USE

SECTION: 603

TITLE:     VEHICLE/UNIT USE

EFFECTIVE DATE:  February 15, 2017

 

 

 

UNIT USE:

 

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

 

The purpose of this policy is to establish a system of accountability to ensure office-owned vehicles are used appropriately.

 

This policy provides guidelines for on- and off-duty use of office vehicles and shall not be construed to create or imply any contractual obligation by the Parish of Evangeline to provide assigned take-home vehicles.

 

POLICY

 

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office provides vehicles for office-related business use and may assign patrol and unmarked vehicles based on a determination of operational efficiency, economic impact to the Office, requirements for tactical deployments and other considerations.

 

 

USE OF VEHICLE

 

Parish-owned vehicles shall only be used for official business and, when approved, for commuting to allow members to respond to office-related business outside their regular work hours.

 

Deputies shall not operate a parish-owned vehicle at any time when impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. Any deputy operating a vehicle equipped with a two-way communications radio, shall ensure the devices are on and set to an audible volume whenever the vehicle is in operation. This includes to and from personnel's residence.

 

PARKING

 

Except when responding to an emergency or when urgent office-related business requires otherwise, members driving office vehicles should obey all parking regulations at all times. Office vehicles should be parked in assigned stalls. Members shall not park privately owned vehicles in stalls assigned to office vehicles or in other areas of the parking lot that are not so designated unless authorized by a supervisor. Privately owned motorcycles shall be parked in designated areas.

 

ACCESSORIES AND/OR MODIFICATIONS

 

 There shall be no modifications, additions or removal of any equipment or accessories without written permission from the assigned vehicle program manager.