Passengers in Patrol Vehicles

Policy & Procedures                 No. 4.13
                                  Subject:
                Passengers in Patrol Vehicles
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                    10/01/2012  09/23/2023

 Review
 Revision   12/01/2013
 Reissued  12/11/2015
 Dates:     12/20/2016
            12/08/2017
            05/20/2020

CALEA STANDARDS: 41.3.3

             GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES

Marked police cruisers are available to the police department personnel to bring quick and
efficient service to the public. Under normal circumstances only sworn police officers will
occupy a police cruiser; however there are a variety of reasons when citizens and/or non-sworn
department employees may become passengers. Officers may be required to transport non-
injured victims of motor vehicle accidents, stranded citizens, and many other circumstances
where citizens are required to be transported for a legitimate police purpose. There are also
situations when non-employees such as members of the media, government officials, or students
wish to ride with an officer in order to report or better understand the police service or a
particular problem facing the community. Officers should be aware that the operation of a police
vehicle and the subsequent response to police calls must change when a civilian is in a cruiser.

PROCEDURES

I.     Victims of crimes and/or non-injured persons involved in traffic accidents should be dealt
       with as much compassion and understanding as possible. When the situation dictates,
        officers should either drive citizens to a suitable place or arrange for transportation of any
       person stranded as a result of a crime or accident.

II.     This service can be accomplished by:
      A.     Driving the citizen to the police station,
       B.     Driving the citizen to a workable telephone,
       C.     Driving the citizen home (if within a reasonable distance) or to a neighboring
            community for a shuttle home.
      D.     Offering to let the citizen remain in the cruiser while a friend or family member
            comes to the location and arranges transportation.

        Canton Police Department’s Passenger in Patrol Vehicles Policy          Page 1

NOTE: Officers must take into consideration the age and physical ability of the civilian
      and whether current staffing allows a lengthy transport. The ultimate decision may come
      from the Shift Supervisor.

III.   When transporting a citizen, all traffic laws should be observed.

IV.   The officer will notify dispatch of the transport and in effect will be put “out of service”
       as officers will not respond to any call that may put the citizen in any danger.

V.     Citizens of the opposite sex as the officer will require a CAD entry and documentation of
       the beginning and ending mileage on the vehicle odometer as well as the citizen’s name
      and the location starting from and ending.

VI.   Members of the media, government officials and other concerned citizens often ask to
      accompany officers to observe and report on situations that are of interest to the
      community. These citizens may ride along with an officer provided the following
       guidelines are followed:

      A.   No member of the media or any other citizen shall enter a policy cruiser or
            accompany an officer on any patrol for the purposes of observing police action
              without the expressed permission of the Chief of Police. A request, in writing
             should be forwarded to the Chief outlining the objectives and the time frame for
               the ride along.

       B.    The citizen will be made aware of the inherent danger of riding in a marked police
               car and will read and sign a waiver of liability which will be witnessed by the
               Shift Supervisor or a Ranking Officer.

       C.    The Shift Supervisor or Officer in Charge of the shift will be made aware of the
               request and the objectives and will make arrangement to comply with it. A
              supervisor or an officer hired specifically for the ride along will accompany the
                 civilian. A sector car will not be assigned to this detail. The expense of hiring an
               extra officer may be passed on to the person or organization requesting this
                service.

      D.    The dispatch will be notified of the ride along and the officer, although logged on
               duty, will not be dispatched to any calls. The officer will not respond or go near
            any situation that may endanger the civilian.

       E.    The officer who has a citizen with him/her will comply with Massachusetts
             General Laws regarding the operation of a motor vehicle.

        F.       It is the policy of the Canton Police Department that all civilians riding in a patrol
               vehicle will be seat belted. Any refusal to comply with this policy will result in
               the termination of the ride along. 41.3.3 (5)

        Canton Police Department’s Passenger in Patrol Vehicles Policy          Page 2

G.      If a situation develops where the officer is needed at a scene that may endanger
       the citizen, he/she may be told to exit the patrol vehicle.  If possible, the transfer
        will be done at the police station, however, it should be noted that in emergency
        situations, the citizen might have to leave the patrol car in other locations.

H.      If a member of the media or any other citizen, while accompanying an officer on
      any patrol, violates the civil rights of any citizen, the patrol will be terminated.
      The citizen and/or organization will incur all liabilities regarding any violation.
      The citizen will be advised of this prior to commencing any activities and may be
      warned by the officer.

  Canton Police Department’s Passenger in Patrol Vehicles Policy          Page 3