HomeMy WebLinkAbout61D - Ancillary Mototist Services - 2019
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Lexington Police
Department
Subject: Ancillary Motorist Services
Policy Number:
61D Accreditation Standards:
Reference: 61.4.1; 61.4.2 Effective Date:
11/1/1
New
Revised Revision
Dates:
1/24/19
By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES
This policy establishes guidelines for the delivery of many diverse traffic-related
ancillary services provided by the Lexington Police Department. These services are
basically activities having an indirect effect on traffic flow as well as those that are in
response to citizen generated requests for assistance.
The public often relies upon the police for roadway assistance in routine and
emergency situations, which occur on a daily basis. For this reason, the police regularly
respond to incidents where it is not contemplated that an arrest or other enforcement
action will be required. In addition to requested services, officers should employ diligent
patrolling practices which will allow the officer to locate, in a timely manner, motorists in
need of assistance.
PROCEDURES
A. Ancillary Services [61.4.1(a)]
1. The Lexington Police Department will provide reasonable general
assistance to all highway users who appear in need of aid. This will apply
at all hours of the day, but particularly during the nighttime hours and
during hazardous weather conditions. The aid may include:
a. Providing information and directions;
b. Assisting stranded or disabled motorists by providing a
communications link with needed services;
c. Assisting motorists in obtaining timely mechanical assistance
such as vehicle repairs, tire changing assistance or related
services; and/or
d. With the approval of the Commanding Officer or Patrol
Supervisor, officers may transport fuel, which is needed by a
stranded motorist.
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2. Officers shall be constantly alert for motorists who appear to need
assistance. Whenever possible, officers shall stop and offer their
services to motorists unless the officer is:
a. In the process of apprehending a violator of the law;
b. Answering a call for service; or
c. In-route to fill a priority assignment.
d. NOTE: If an officer is unable to stop and assist a motorist,
the officer should notify the police station so that other
available police units may be dispatched.
3. In order to avoid injury to Department members or damage to police
vehicles, police vehicles shall not be used to:
a. Push or tow disabled motor vehicles from a roadway;
b. Jump start disabled motor vehicles; or
c. Siphon gasoline.
4. If a motorist requires mechanical or towing services, officers should:
[61.4.1(b)]
a. Assist the motorist in contacting a towing agency of his/her
choosing (i.e. AAA); or
b. Notify a towing agency approved by the Town of Lexington
for the immediate removal of the vehicle.
5. A list of approved towing agencies is available at the front desk of the
police station. This list information may be relayed to persons in need
of a towing service. All providers on the list meet the following
minimum requirements:
a. Drivers for the companies have been checked regarding their
criminal background and sexual offender background
(CORI/SORI);
b. The companies have sufficient towing capability and storage
facilities; and
c. Each company meets state regulations for towing.
6. Officers may, with approval from the Commanding Officer or Patrol
Supervisor, transport stranded motorists to the nearest convenient
location where assistance may be obtained. Officers should not leave the
motorist until assistance is available, absent a priority call. [61.4.1(c)]
7. Officers shall freely and politely provide information and directions upon
request. To provide information accurately, officers should become
familiar with the streets, highways, services and facilities in the area.
When providing information officers should:
a. Never recommend one business establishment over another
similar and competing business; and
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b. Refrain from making comments tending to cause ill will
between the Department and the business community.
B. Emergency Services [61.4.1(d)]
1. Motorists requiring emergency assistance will receive priority service from
the Department. Emergency situations include the following:
a. Medical emergencies;
b. Vehicle fires; and/or
c. Hazardous conditions, which present an imminent threat of
injury or death (i.e. spillage of hazardous materials, vehicle
disabled in hazardous location, etc.).
2. Officers helping motorists in an emergency may be asked to:
a. Provide first aid, if needed;
b. Attempt to extinguish any small fires;
c. Secure a "safety zone" around any hazards to protect the
motorist and other highway travelers; and
d. Request the Lexington Fire Department's assistance to:
i. Care for sick or injured persons;
ii. Extinguish fires; and/or
iii. Control and removal of hazardous materials.
3. In medical emergencies, officers shall not escort civilian vehicles as a
means of transporting a sick or injured person to a medical facility.
Officers shall:
a. Notify the Dispatch Center of the need for emergency medical
services so an ambulance can be sent; or
b. In unusual circumstances where other options aren’t going to
provide timely aid, and only with the permission of the
Commanding Officer or Patrol Supervisor, transport the sick or
injured person in the police cruiser.
C. Towing Motor Vehicles
1. Anytime an officer discovers a vehicle along the roadway that has been
apparently abandoned due to mechanical breakdown or some other
reason, the officer shall determine if the vehicle's location presents a
hazard to other persons or motorists.
2. If the vehicle is legally parked and poses no hazard, then no further action
is necessary provided the officer is satisfied that the vehicle is not stolen
and the owner is taking action to remove the vehicle.
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3. If the vehicle is illegally parked, unlawfully abandoned, or parked in a
hazardous location, officers may tow or remove the vehicle according to
department procedures; see also Department policy 61C - Towing
Motor Vehicles and Inventory Procedures.
4. All police tows must be authorized by a Sergeant or higher ranking
officer and shall be performed by an approved tow company and
recorded in the police journal.
D. Hazardous Highway Conditions [61.4.2]
1. Roadway and roadside hazards are contributing factors to many traffic
accidents. These hazards include:
a. Debris on the road surface;
b. Defects in the roadway;
c. Defective or missing safety devices;
d. Visual obstructions;
e. Downed wires;
f. Defective or missing street lighting; and
g. Abandoned vehicles or other objects located on the roadway in
a hazardous location.
h. Severe weather conditions involving ice, snow, flooding, etc.
2. When possible, officers shall take appropriate action to eliminate the
hazard immediately (i.e. removing debris from roadway, towing
abandoned vehicles, etc.).
3. If a road hazard cannot be corrected and poses an imminent threat to
public safety, officers should:
a. Notify the Dispatch Center of the hazard so that the appropriate
agency (i.e. Department of Public Works, utility company, etc.)
can be contacted and dispatched to the scene; and
b. Secure the area with a police cruiser, emergency lights, flares
or other warning devices, which may be available. All
pedestrian and vehicle traffic should be directed away from the
"safety zone" until the hazard is eliminated.
4. Road hazards that do not present an immediate threat to public safety
shall be recorded in detail in the police log. The appropriate agency shall
be notified immediately by Dispatch personnel in order to correct the
hazard.
5. Vehicles which contain hazardous materials (with no spillage present)
must be handled with great care. When any doubt exists about the
proper handling of these materials, officers should notify the Patrol
Supervisor and, if necessary, request the assistance and expertise of the
Lexington Fire Department.
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6. If hazardous materials have been spilled, officers should request the
immediate assistance of the Fire Department and follow Department policy
62A - Motor Vehicle Crash Investigations