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HomeMy WebLinkAbout41T-Motorcycle Operations 2019 Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 5 Lexington Police Department Subject: Motorcycle Operations Program Suspended 12/31/13 per General Order 13-02 (copy attached) Policy Number: 41T Accreditation Standards: Reference: Effective Date: 12/1/11  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES Members of the public will approach motorcycle officers more often than officers who are assigned to a cruiser simply because they are more accessible to citizens than cruiser officers. In addition, the motorcycle can be used effectively in selective traffic enforcement operations because of its size and configuration. It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to operate a motor unit whose primary responsibilities include but are not limited to engaging in selective traffic enforcement and in performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police. PROCEDURES A. Training and Prequalification’s: 1. All officers assigned to the motor unit will be required to attend and pass a Department approved motor officer training class that includes both classroom and practical training. 2. Officers assigned to training must possess a valid Massachusetts motorcycle License issued by the registrar of Motor vehicles. 3. Officers assigned to the motor unit must be able to demonstrate their continued commitment to understanding the importance of an aggressive selective traffic enforcement program in the community. 4. Any other standards as may be necessary for the successful operation of the unit as approved by the Chief of Police. B. Equipment Needs: All Officers assigned to the motor unit will be issued the following uniform and equipment and must keep the uniforms and equipment readily accessible for deployment. All uniforms and equipment must be 41T-MotorCycle Operations Policy & Procedure Page 2 of 5 properly maintained. Equipment and uniforms that are dysfunctional or worn will be replaced through the quartermaster. 1. Department issued M/C helmet: The helmet will be a commercial grade DOT approved motorcycle helmet designed for police application. This helmet must be worn securely and with visor attached whenever the motorcycle is being operated. 2. Department issued gloves; 3. Department issued Motorcycle Breeches: These trousers are designed with extra legroom for the motorcyclists for the purpose of straddling the vehicle without restriction or damage to trousers. 4. Motorcycle Boots: The footwear should be a police grade leather motorcycle boot, which covers the calf and shin. The purpose of this boot is protection of the lower leg from debris kicked up from the street, and protection from engine heat. 5. Reflective (white colored) cross straps: During all riding periods, the officer is to wear reflective cross straps (white). These straps are designed to illuminate the motorcycle officer to motorists. These straps need not be worn in conjunction with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved outerwear. 6. Department issued leather jacket, or other outer wear as may be issued from time to time. C. Motorcycle Operations: 1. The motorcycle is a specialized piece of equipment. Programming for the motor unit will be managed by a Sergeant appointed by the Chief of Police and under the immediate supervision of the Captain of Operations. 2. Day to day operation and assignment of the motorcycle will be the responsibility of the Patrol Supervisor and Commanding Officer. 3. The motorcycle will not engage in high-speed pursuit as either a primary or secondary response vehicle. See also Department policy 41D – High Speed Pursuits. 4. Generally speaking, the motorcycle will not be operated on any off road or unpaved surfaces unless specifically authorized by a Patrol Supervisor. Like motor vehicles, motorcycles are designed for use on paved surfaces. Operation on other than paved surfaces can be unsafe and may cause maintenance issues with the vehicle. 41T-MotorCycle Operations Policy & Procedure Page 3 of 5 5. The motorcycle will operate only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight unless otherwise authorized by the Captain of Operations. 6. The motorcycle officer will also comply with all the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and applicable rules from Department’s policy governing the operation of a police vehicles, see also Department policy 41U - Police Vehicle Operations. 7. The motorcycle(s) will not be operated when weather conditions might inhibit the safe operation of the motorcycle. For example, heavy rain, snow, ice or severe wind might affect sight lines and/or control of the motorcycle. 8. The Police motorcycle is not designed to carry or otherwise accommodate passengers and consequently passengers will not ride on a motorcycle. 9. Emergency operation of the motorcycle at speeds greater than the posted speed limit will generally be limited to motor vehicle stops in which case the operation of emergency lights and siren are required. D. General Duties and Responsibilities: Under the immediate supervision of the Patrol Supervisor and Commanding Officer, the motorcycle officer shall be responsible for the efficient and expeditious enforcement of motor vehicle violations and patrol functions as may be assigned from day to day. It is the intent of the Department to deploy the motorcycle frequently however; the challenges of staffing often times preclude deployment of the motorcycle as a dedicated traffic enforcement tool. Commanding Officers and Patrol Supervisors are encouraged to deploy the motorcycle whenever possible including those times when staffing restrictions allow deployment of less than five mobile units. In these situations, the motorcycle can be used to respond to calls for service, take reports, conduct investigations and provide backup for other units. When deployed in this manner, it must be remembered that the motorcycle should not respond to calls for service as a primary emergency response vehicle. E. Specific Duties and Responsibilities: It will be the duty and responsibility of motorcycle officers to enforce parking regulations and violations of motor vehicle law, by focusing enforcement activities in response to community concerns and high accident locations and to: 1. Perform directed enforcement activities as assigned. 2. Respond to calls for service as assigned and assume responsibility for investigative reports and other activities as assigned. 3. Respond to emergency calls for service in a secondary response mode. 41T-MotorCycle Operations Policy & Procedure Page 4 of 5 4. Assist other police units with traffic direction and control at motor vehicle accidents and other service calls. E. Inspection: Officers assigned to the Motorcycle Unit will inspect the motorcycle at both the beginning and end of their shifts and are required to document maintenance and equipment issues that they may encounter to ensure that they are corrected promptly. F. North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Motorcycle Operations: 1. Purpose a. The NEMLEC motor unit was established to provide assistance to NEMLEC agencies with traffic and crowd control issues, and to act as a resource to participating NEMLEC agencies when called upon to provide mobile crowd control services. The unit’s main focus is: i. Mobile crowd control – control of motor traffic, or pedestrian moving traffic (e.g. marathons, parades); ii. Funeral escorts and law enforcement ceremonial events; iii. Dignitary protection and motorcades; iv. Supplement Regional Response Team (RRT) crowd control capabilities; v. Fixed position traffic control when additional resources are required; and vi. Specialized law enforcement duties as requested, and accepted, by the Control Chief. b. Each specialized unit of NEMLEC has a Control Chief who has command over that specific unit (i.e. Motor Unit, RRT, SWAT, Computer Crimes etc.). Most times the Control Chief holds the rank of Chief from a participating department in NEMLEC, however there are times when this person holds a lesser rank, but is still considered the Control Chief of the specified NEMLEC unit. 2. Goals of the NEMLEC Motor Unit a. The Motor Unit fulfills its purpose by working consistently to meet and sustain the following goals: i. Provide and maintain a specialized unit, composed of a highly trained and skilled cadre of professional motor officers. ii. Supplement and enhance the skills and ability of individual officers that consequently can then be applied in the normal performance of duty. 41T-MotorCycle Operations Policy & Procedure Page 5 of 5 iii. Acquire necessary assets, resources, and training to enable the Motor Unit to maintain a constant state of readiness to respond to critical incidents and ceremonial events. iv. Provide additional training to member communities as needed. 3. Activation and Request Procedures a. Emergency Requests: Only a NEMLEC Police Chief or Sheriff, or his designee, may request activation of the Motor Unit. The authorized person from the requesting NEMLEC Department must contact the North Andover Police Department at (978) 683-3168. North Andover Police Department will contact the Control Chief of the Motor Unit or his designee who will decide what resources, if any, will be activated after consultation with the officials from the requesting NEMLEC Department. b. Planned Events: Only a NEMLEC Police Chief or Sheriff, or his designee, may request activation of the Motor Unit. This authorized person shall make the request to the Motor Unit Control Chief, or, in his absence, the Motor Unit Assistant Control Chief. This request should include the following information: • Purpose of Request • Date of Event • Nature of Event • Number of Officers Requested • Responsible Party for Payment; or agreed prearranged and voluntary unpaid mutual aid response 4. Expectations and Equipment All active members of the NEMLEC Motor Unit will maintain their training and equipment, which is set forth in the NEMLEC Police Operations Manual.