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OFFICIAL For Public Release 16/11/2017 1 Force Publication Scheme Force Policy & Procedures Police Vehicles: Drivers and Usage Reference Number D086 Policy Version Date 16 November 2017 Review Date 15 November 2018 Policy Ownership Alliance Operations Department Portfolio Holder Assistant Chief Constable (Local Policing & Connectivity) Contents: 1. Policy Statement/Intentions 2. Introduction and Implications of the Policy 2.1 General 2.2 Hiring of vehicles 2.3 Insurance of Police vehicles 2.4 Vehicle evaluation policy 2.5 Sponsored and Partnership vehicles 2.6 Police vehicles provided for abnormal load escort 3. Procedures 3.1 Use of Police vehicles outside of rostered duty times 3.2 Use of mobile phones in Police vehicles 3.3 Use of radio equipment 3.4 Satellite Navigation Systems (SAT NAV) 3.5 Placing RTC victims in Police vehicles 3.6 Use of Police vehicles outside Force area 3.7 Carriage of passengers 3.8 Carriage of children in Police vehicles 3.9 Carriage of prisoners/persons in Custody 3.10 Force use of second hand vehicles 3.11 Use of Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry by Police vehicles 3.12 Congestion charges 3.13 Use of headlights on motorcycles 3.14 Insulin dependent diabetic Police Officers 3.15 Tiredness and driving of vehicles

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OFFICIAL For Public Release

16/11/2017 1 Force Publication Scheme

Force Policy & Procedures Police Vehicles: Drivers and Usage Reference Number D086 Policy Version Date 16 November 2017 Review Date 15 November 2018 Policy Ownership Alliance Operations Department Portfolio Holder Assistant Chief Constable (Local Policing & Connectivity)

Contents: 1. Policy Statement/Intentions 2. Introduction and Implications of the Policy 2.1 General 2.2 Hiring of vehicles 2.3 Insurance of Police vehicles 2.4 Vehicle evaluation policy 2.5 Sponsored and Partnership vehicles

2.6 Police vehicles provided for abnormal load escort 3. Procedures 3.1 Use of Police vehicles outside of rostered duty times 3.2 Use of mobile phones in Police vehicles 3.3 Use of radio equipment 3.4 Satellite Navigation Systems (SAT NAV) 3.5 Placing RTC victims in Police vehicles 3.6 Use of Police vehicles outside Force area 3.7 Carriage of passengers 3.8 Carriage of children in Police vehicles 3.9 Carriage of prisoners/persons in Custody 3.10 Force use of second hand vehicles 3.11 Use of Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry by Police vehicles 3.12 Congestion charges 3.13 Use of headlights on motorcycles 3.14 Insulin dependent diabetic Police Officers 3.15 Tiredness and driving of vehicles

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3.16 Deployment of unliveried vehicles on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) 3.17 Driving Offences

3.18 Force Automobile Association (AA) membership 3.19 Use of Police vehicles to attend funerals, commemorations, marches,

sporting, charitable and other similar events 3.20 Reasonable Adjustments

4. Assessment Compliance 5. Review and Ownership 6. Useful Links Appendix A

1. Policy Statement/Intention [FOIA – Open] 1.1 It is the intention of this policy to indicate the terms and procedures for the use of

police vehicles. 1.2 In the application of this policy staff are reminded of the need to comply with the

standards and principles of the Code of Ethics for policing.

2. Introduction and Implications of the Policy [FOIA – Open] 2.1 General 2.1.1 The police service prides itself on being the ambassadors of road safety, therefore

every police vehicle should be maintained and driven to the highest standards. 2.1.2 With the exception of vehicles issued under the Force Designated Travel User

Policy, all force vehicles including hire vehicles may only be used for official police business, no personal use is allowed. (For further guidance, see section 3.19.)

2.2 Hiring Of Vehicles 2.2.1 The authority to hire any additional vehicles must be obtained from supervisory

officers via the LPA/Departmental Administration and Finance Manager who is responsible for making hiring arrangements.

2.2.2 In the event that the hire car company raise an additional administrative fee due to

their vehicle being involved in an automated enforcement device activation, this additional charge will be the responsibility of the police officer member of police staff, member of the Special Constabulary, employee of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall who caused the activation.

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2.3 Insurance of Police Vehicles 2.3.1 The Force vehicle insurance allows police officers, police staff, members of the

Special Constabulary, employees of the PCC for Devon and Cornwall and others with the permission of the Chief Constable or his nominated officers to drive vehicles in connection with their duty. This insurance covers hire vehicles of any size or description when used in accordance with the correct driver authorisation.

2.3.2 Should there be a requirement to insure non-Force employees or additional

partnership or sponsored vehicles on the Force Vehicles Insurance Policy the appropriate form, obtainable from the Head of Transport Services Department, must be forwarded to the Director of Finance and Administration who may grant or refuse approval on behalf of the Chief Constable. This information will be retained for a period of 28 days after the individual drivers authority has ceased. (Not required for Hire Vehicles on Force Contract).

2.3.3 All authorised drivers as detailed at 2.2 and 2.3.2 above must hold the relevant

driving authority to drive police vehicles, hire vehicles, partnership or sponsored vehicles as per Force Policy D191 - Driving & Driver Training. It is the responsibility of the persons authorised to drive these vehicles to inform their supervisors, by formal report, of any motoring offences which may affect the drivers driving entitlement and consequently, their ability to perform relevant police duty. The supervisor will consider whether any action in relation to disciplinary proceedings, withdrawal of driver authority, or any other action is required, and submit the report, suitably endorsed, to the LPA/Departmental personnel manager for consideration. A copy of the report will be placed on the authorised driver’s personal file and, as necessary, be brought to the attention of the LPA/Departmental management team where any action has been recommended.

2.4 Vehicle Evaluation Policy 2.4.1 All Force vehicles are subject to the vehicle evaluation policy except for Chief

Officer vehicles and lease vehicles. 2.4.2 Specific requests for vehicle evaluations will be made through the Force Vehicle

User Group (VUG) LPA representative to the Head of Alliance Fleet Services Department, outlining the model, make and general specification of the vehicle.

2.4.3 VUG LPA representative, in consultation with the Alliance Fleet Services

Department will approve the suitability of the proposed vehicle for evaluation. 2.4.4 The Head of Alliance Fleet Services Department will make arrangements via the

manufacturer for the delivery of the vehicle to the Force for evaluation purposes and report on the estimated running cost, technical specifications, residual values, manufacturer's unit price, tooling up and workshop staff training. A period of time will be set aside for this assessment.

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2.4.5 The Head of Alliance Fleet Services Department will liaise with the manufacturer with regard to a suitable power point supply being fitted to the vehicle enabling a docking port for officers’ personal Airwave radios to be used during the evaluation process when appropriate.

2.4.6 The evaluation period (i.e. the period that the vehicle shall be with the Force for

loan) should be at least two weeks. The Head of Alliance Fleet Services Department will negotiate the loan period.

2.4.7 In all cases the Force Driver Training Unit will be consulted to evaluate the

vehicles to ensure they are safe and have no unusual handling characteristics. This process will be structured with agreed objectives prior to undertaking the test. When conducting the evaluation, it is preferable to utilise two instructors. All such evaluations must be documented.

2.4.8 After the Force Driver Training Unit has approved the vehicle, dependent upon the

vehicle's performance, intended use, and vehicle specification, suitably qualified and identified officers within the force will be authorised to test the vehicle within an operational role, carrying equipment and conducting police duties. This authorisation will be granted by the Force Driving Training Unit on behalf of VUG, and documented in a file held by the Force Driver Training Unit. Officers may only exercise police driving exemptions as specified within Force policy D227 - Driving of Police Vehicles in an Emergency.

2.4.9 Subject to Driver Training approving a vehicle, the Head of Alliance Fleet Services

Department will make arrangements for a marked police specification vehicle to be made available for evaluation in an operational environment.

2.4.10 Operational plain vehicles will not be subject to paragraph 2.4.9. 2.4.11 During the evaluation period a suitably qualified Police Driving Instructor from the

Force Driver Training Unit will be expected to complete an evaluation report and comment on the vehicle's overall performance, including handling, braking, seating, and carrying capacity.

2.4.12 The completed evaluation report will be discussed at VUG and a summarised

recommendation submitted for consideration. 2.4.13 At the conclusion of the vehicle evaluation process the report will be retained by

Driver Training. Such records will be retained until the Force ceases to use the vehicle in question.

2.5 Sponsored and Partnership Vehicles 2.5.1 All sponsored and partnership vehicles must be subject to the vehicle evaluation

policy as described in Section 2.4 and must include consultation with the Head of Alliance Fleet Services Department, and the Driver Training Unit who, in consultation with the relevant VUG representative, will make recommendation as to the suitability and necessary authorisation of the vehicle.

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2.5.2 This process must be adhered to prior to any formal contractual agreement. 2.6 Police Vehicles Provided for Abnormal Load Escort 2.6.1 Four marked Ford Focus police vehicles have been provided to Devon & Cornwall

Police by the company known as Princess Yachts in Plymouth. These vehicles are for exclusive use of police officers engaged on ‘Special Police Services’ under Section 25 Police Act 1996 in escorting abnormal indivisible loads moved by that company.

2.6.2 Further information is available in SA002 Abnormal Indivisible Loads.

3. Procedures 3.1 Use of police vehicles outside of rostered duty times [FOIA – Open] 3.1.1 For further guidance on this issue, reference should be made to The Strategic

Alliance Mileage and Expense Claims Working Practice. 3.2 Use of mobile phones in police vehicles [FOIA – Open] 3.2.1 The law requires that drivers must exercise proper control of their vehicles at all

times. All officers are to be familiar with the contents of Alliance Generic Risk Assessment Road Policing Patrol Officers General Duties (copies of which are available on the Force intranet and from LPA and Departmental Health and Safety Advisors), and are to implement all control measures specified.

3.2.2 Drivers will not be in full control of their vehicle if they are holding a mobile phone

whilst driving, and to do so will present an unacceptable risk to personal safety as well as the safety of any passengers and other road users. A mobile telephone is to be treated as hand held if it must be held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function. The use of a hand held mobile phone whilst driving is a specific offence under Regulation 110 of Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Drivers will, in all cases, find a safe place to stop before answering or making a call.

3.2.3 For the purposes of the above mentioned regulations, personal issue hand held

Airwave radio sets are to be treated in the same way as mobile phones regardless of whether they are being used in radio or telephony mode. The exception to this is when the hand held Airwave radio is being used in a vehicle mounted cradle in hands free mode. However, in such circumstances, the guidance at paragraph 3.2.4 should be adhered to.

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3.2.4 General exemptions to this are as per s.110(5) of the regulations and are as follows:

a) when the driver is using the telephone or other device to call the police,

fire, ambulance or other emergency service on 112 or 999; b) when the driver is acting in response to a genuine emergency; and c) it is unsafe or impracticable for them to cease driving in order to make the

call (or, in the case of an alleged contravention of paragraph (3)(b), for the provisional licence holder to cease driving while the call was being made).

3.2.5 While the use of hands free devices are permitted under the Road Vehicles

(Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 as amended by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment)(No 4) Regulations 2003, conversations using hands-free equipment can also distract attention from the road. It is safer not to use any type of telephone whilst driving. The use of a hands-free mobile phone whilst driving is only permitted to the extent necessary to answer the call.

3.2.6 Conversation is to be kept brief and the driver is to inform the caller that they are

driving, and should not enter into lengthy conversation. Should detailed conversation be necessary, the driver must find a safe place to stop before continuing with the call.

3.3 Use of radio equipment [FOIA – Open] 3.3.1 It is accepted that there is a difference between the use of a police radio and a

mobile phone. Radio messages are usually concise, whereas telephones tend to be used for longer conversations, and so afford a potentially greater distraction. However, the following instructions are to be adhered to strictly. (However, the guidance provided in paragraph 3.2.3 will still be considered).

3.3.2 If a vehicle is double crewed, the driver should not use any radio equipment whilst

driving a moving vehicle. 3.3.3 Drivers will use hands-free radio equipment wherever possible, and should not

engage in long transmissions. If anything other than a brief transmission is necessary, the driver should stop in a safe location beforehand, unless the circumstances and urgency of the situation justify and dictate otherwise. If possible, a short standby message should be sent to alert Control that the driver is stopping the vehicle before collecting or transmitting a message where appropriate.

3.3.4 In fail to stop or pursuit situations, where commentary is required and the vehicle

is single crewed, the driver will make any transmissions necessary. Where the vehicle is double crewed, the observer will make all transmissions.

3.3.5 Appropriately trained officers should be aware that the action of driving will be

their primary concern, and commentary will be secondary. Safety must be the over-riding consideration at all times.

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3.3.6 Parked and unattended vehicles containing the Airwave Service mobile radio terminals must be locked and secured at all times. Hand portable radio terminals must be removed, wherever possible, to reduce the risk of theft.

3.3.7 Particular care should be taken to minimise the risk of theft of hand portable radio

terminals from unlocked vehicles, especially when the vehicles are ‘on scene’ at an incident or during normal work functions.

3.4 Satellite Navigation Systems (SAT NAV) [FOIA – Open] 3.4.1 Police Officers/Staff are reminded of the potential inherent dangers of having their

attention anywhere other than on the road whilst driving, and should ensure that while they are interacting with Sat Nav devices, they remain in full control of the vehicle at all times.

3.4.2 Drivers must ensure that their vision is not impaired by the location of the Sat Nav

or its cradle and that it is mounted securely, away from the vehicle controls and airbags.

3.4.3 The intended destination must be keyed in before departing. The Sat Nav device

should not be operated whilst driving. If there is a need to reprogram the Sat Nav or change the settings, drivers should pull over and do so in a safe place.

3.5 Placing RTC victims in police vehicles [FOIA – Open] 3.5.1 Occasions arise when a police unit will arrive at the scene of a collision before an

ambulance. Saving life is the primary consideration and officers will risk assess the scene and take appropriate action to protect it and minimise further injury or damage. Those involved in a collision may already be out of vehicles and stood or sat on the ground nearby, perhaps injured or apparently uninjured. Instances have occurred where officers have felt it necessary, either through weather conditions or for comfort, to sit such persons in police vehicles. Any unnecessary movement should be avoided as this may exacerbate an existing injury, particularly to the neck/back.

3.5.2 Placing an RTC victim in a vehicle should be avoided as subsequent medical

examination may reveal a potential injury, even where one may not have been evident previously. If this is a potential neck or spinal injury, the resultant removal of that person on a spinal board from the vehicle may be necessary. To facilitate this extraction, a complete removal of the vehicle's roof will likely be necessary. In the event a police vehicle is used then an operational asset is also lost.

3.5.3 Consideration must be given to the health and welfare of the person concerned,

they should not routinely be placed inside a vehicle unless the conditions or circumstances make this necessary. Thermal foil blankets are available within first aid kits of police vehicles and can be provided to victims where necessary whilst awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

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3.6 Use of police vehicles outside Force area [FOIA – Open, except at paragraph 3.6.2]

3.6.1 Unmarked police vehicles may leave the Force area at any time with the

permission of a supervisory officer. 3.6.2 [FOIA – Closed s.31(1)(a)] 3.6.3 It is courteous if a marked police vehicle is operating in another Force area to

inform the host Force of its presence. This task is the responsibility of the driver of the police vehicle. For guidance in relation to other force talkgroups, reference should be made to the Airwave User Guide.

3.6.4 For guidance on using police vehicles outside the force area using emergency

warning equipment, reference should be made to Force Policy D227 - Driving of Police Vehicles in an Emergency.

3.7 Carriage of passengers [FOIA – Open] 3.7.1 The carriage of passengers in police vehicles is permissible when the carriage of

any such passenger is concerned with the business of the Devon & Cornwall Police. It is difficult to be prescriptive about those situations when it is appropriate to carry individuals or indeed who those individuals may be. It would, however include situations in which the Force has an expressed or implied duty of care, for example, the transportation of vulnerable victims and witnesses or to protect individuals from potential harm. It would also cover such eventualities as transporting the drivers or passengers of broken down vehicles, where failing to take any positive action would cause a danger or disruption to other road users.

3.7.2 In circumstances where officers invite members of the public to sit in police

vehicles for reasons of convenience, it should be made clear to that person that they are under no obligation to do so. (Unless the request by the officer is for the purposes of lawful arrest or detention.) In such circumstances, a note should be made in the officers' pocket book in order to avoid allegations of de facto arrest.

3.7.3 When members of the public are accompanying a police officer on pre-arranged

patrol duties and are carried in a police vehicle, carriage if such passengers must be authorised by a supervisory officer and the passenger must sign the official disclaimer regarding any liability that may arise against the Force for economic loss or damage to their personal property, or physical harm. (An example of the disclaimer appears at Appendix A.)

3.7.4 Rear seat passengers will not be permitted in BMW and Volvo ARVs fitted with

gun boxes. There are no exceptions to this.

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3.7.5 All police officers and police staff are reminded that when lay persons are travelling in police vehicles, sensitive information may be transmitted by radio or communicated in person, which may be overheard by the passenger. All officers and police staff must take every precaution and all reasonable steps to ensure that such information, as far as possible, remains confidential.

3.8 Carriage of children in police vehicles [FOIA – Open] 3.8.1 Many people have been spared death or serious injury by wearing seat belts. The

law requires that seat belts must be worn when fitted. (Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986). There are few exceptions to this and drivers are responsible for ensuring that any passengers carried comply. The wearing of seatbelts in relation to children is covered by several pieces of legislation, including the Road Traffic Act 1988, the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993, and the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seatbelts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006.

3.8.2 All children under three years old must use the correct child seat when travelling in

any car, van or light goods vehicle (except in the rear of a taxi if a child seat is not available). Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in seats with an active frontal air bag.

3.8.3 Children aged three years and above, until they reach either their twelfth birthday,

or 135 cm in height must use the correct child seat/booster cushion when travelling in any car, van or light goods vehicle. However, they can use an adult seatbelt in a licensed taxi/Private Hire Vehicle (i.e. minicab), over a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity, or when two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third. In addition, a child three years and over may travel unrestrained in the rear of a vehicle if seatbelts are not available. Taller children and those twelve years and over should use adult seat belts.

3.8.4 Children over 135 cm in height or over 12 years old must wear an adult seatbelt (if

available). 3.8.5 Regulation 16(1)(e) of the 2006 regulations provides an exemption for police. This

regulation states that the exemptions extend to 'a small child who is riding in a vehicle being used for the purposes of the police, security or emergency services to enable the proper performance of their duty.' (It should be noted that this exemption relates to the rear of motor vehicles only.)

3.8.6 It is this Force's position that the implications of "proper performance of their duty"

under regulation 16(1)(e) should be interpreted as applying to an emergency situation. This means that Force vehicles are not required to carry child booster seats unless the vehicle is primarily used for the carriage of children (for example, by the child protection team) or in the event of a pre-planned carriage.

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3.8.7 However, as a general rule, children should not be transported in police vehicles. Should there be no option but to move the child, the following actions should be considered by the officer concerned:

a) The parents/guardian should be invited to use their own facilities to

transport the children in the police vehicle (i.e. they use their own seat or restraining device and secure the children in the vehicle themselves). Officers should be able to evidence in their pocketbook the fact that parents/guardians are content for their children to be carried in police vehicles. (For guidance regarding pocket books, reference should be made to Force Policy D080 - Pocket Books.)

b) Social Services or a specialist contractor should be used wherever possible.

3.8.8 Police officers may, in many circumstances, be required to arrange for children of

all ages to be moved from an 'At Risk' situation to a 'Place of Safety'. Once responsibility for children or vulnerable persons has been accepted, the Force has a 'Duty of Care' to ensure their transportation is carried out in as safe a manner as possible given the circumstances which prevail.

3.8.9 LPAs will establish the number of booster seats/cushions they require and order

them through the Transport Services Department. It is the responsibility of each LPA to ensure that the booster seats/cushions are suitably located throughout the LPA.

3.9 Carriage of prisoners/persons in Custody [FOIA – Open] 3.9.1 There will always be a risk associated with the carrying of arrested / detained

persons in Police vehicles. The utmost care should always be displayed in driving skills, to minimise any risk of harm or serious injury to such persons. Therefore it follows that when a person arrested / detained is suitably restrained, the need for response driving should end. Ideally such persons will be placed in a secure cage within Police vans. Where vans are not available, the arrested / detained person should be seated and seat belt applied in the rear nearside seat of a suitable car. This removes any risk to the police driver. A second officer will be seated to the rear offside, behind the police driver.

3.9.2 In extreme circumstances only the officer may exercise ‘Blue light response’ with

arrested/detained persons on board. This will be the officer’s own judgement and must be approved by local supervisor or Control Room Manager.

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3.10 Force-use of second hand vehicles [FOIA – Open, except at paragraphs 3.10.3 and 3.10.4]

3.10.1 The Force accepts the need to employ second hand vehicles on the grounds of

operational efficiency and best value. For the purposes of this policy document, a second hand vehicle is defined as follows:

'Any pre-owned vehicle, not including those previously owned by a Police Force, or ex manufacturer/dealership demonstrators purchased by the Force.'

3.10.2 Such vehicles as required by Departments/LPAs can only be purchased through

the Transport Services Department from the following sources:

i) Specialist commercial dealerships ii) Public auction iii) Direct from public utility companies

In all circumstances, full consultation must be made with the Alliance Fleet Services Department.

3.10.3 [FOIA – Closed s.31(1)(a)] 3.10.4 [FOIA – Closed s.31(1)(a)] 3.10.5 Disposal of such vehicles will be at the discretion of the Head of Alliance Fleet

Services Department. 3.11 Use of Tamar Bridge and Torpoint ferry by police vehicles [FOIA – Open] 3.11.1 Following agreement with the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee,

Devon and Cornwall Police vehicles will be given free passage across the River Tamar using their facilities.

3.11.2 Following the introduction of a TAG lane and the withdrawal of bridge tokens,

there are now two methods to obtain free passage across the Tamar Bridge / ferry crossings. A small number of tags have been issued for use in response vehicles. These are issued to individual vehicles and must not be transferred without agreement and action by the Alliance Fleet Services Department.

3.11.3 A larger number of credit card sized passes are also available, again issued to

individual vehicles which allow free passage via the normal staffed barriers. Again these must only be used by the registered vehicle and any changes made through Alliance Fleet Services Department.

3.11.4 It should still be possible for Force registered vehicles to cross by producing police

identification and the toll operator taking the vehicle registration details.

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3.12 Congestion charges [FOIA – Open] 3.12.1 Congestion charges are not payable when using a marked police vehicle. 3.12.2 For all other vehicles the congestion charge should be paid in advance of travel by

sending an email request to ‘Purchasing Hub’ with budget code and vehicle registration number. In exceptional circumstances the email with details may be sent the day after travel.

3.13 Use of headlights on motorcycles [FOIA – Open] 3.13.1 All motorcyclists riding police motorcycles, with the exception of the surveillance

riders, must ride with their headlights switched on, on dipped beam, during the hours of daylight. The only exception to this will be when the use of dipped headlights would compromise operational expediency. However, this must be at the discretion of the officer and safety must always remain paramount.

3.13.2 During the hours of darkness normal headlight procedures will be observed. 3.14 Insulin dependent diabetic police officers [FOIA – Open] 3.14.1 If a police officer is diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes, reference should

be made to Force Policy document D332 – Health & Safety – Diabetes Mellitus. 3.15 Tiredness and driving of vehicles [FOIA – Open] 3.15.1 Driving when tired greatly increases the risk of being involved in a collision. All

police employees will ensure that they minimise this risk by making sure that they are fit to drive in accordance with the principles relating to tiredness and driving as detailed in the relevant section of the Highway Code.

3.16 Deployment of unliveried vehicles on the Strategic Road Network (SRN)

[FOIA – Open] 3.16.1 When Roads Policing/ARV officers are deployed to incidents on the SRN in

unliveried vehicles, Force Policy D344 - Out Of Vehicle Safety will be referred to. 3.17 Driving Offences [FOIA – Open] 3.17.1 Police Officers and Police Staff who drive a Force vehicle (including marked,

unmarked, pool, hired and provided) and receive a fine that cannot be attributed to proportionate and authorised use in the course of the business of the Force (including speeding, parking, congestion etc.) will be personally liable for all costs and penalties.

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3.18 Force Automobile Association (AA) Membership [FOIA – Open, except at paragraphs 3.18.3]

3.18.1 This Force has corporate membership of the AA which provides 24hr nationwide

roadside assistance for the forces fleet of vehicles, should any suffer a breakdown/RTC/puncture etc. while out of force.

3.18.2 Should AA assistance be required the driver will need to contact the Force control

room to arrange for recovery / assistance. The driver should provide the control room with the following details:

Make/model/VRM

Location of vehicle

Details of defect – to identify whether roadside assistance or recovery is required

Contact telephone number 3.18.3 [FOIA – Closed s.31(1)(a)] 3.19 Use of Police vehicles to attend funerals, commemorations, marches,

sporting, charitable and other small events [FOIA – Open] 3.19.1 If a police officer or member of police staff is to attend an event, either within

Force or out of Force, they need to establish, in consultation with their line management, whether the attendance represents a ‘duty’ or ‘personal’ commitment. If the attendance is deemed to be a duty commitment, use of a police vehicle can be requested and requests should be made via the Carbooker Scheme. (For guidance in relation to authorisation for taking vehicles out of Force, paragraph 3.6 should be referred to.) In the event that the attendance is deemed as personal, a Force vehicle may not be requested.

3.19.2 The use of Force vehicles by individuals participating in sporting or charitable

activity will not be permitted, as such activities are not deemed to be ‘business use’.

3.20 Reasonable Adjustments [FOIA – Open] 3.20.1 In the event that reasonable adjustments are required to enable use of a vehicle in

the course of Devon and Cornwall Police business, this should be made known to Driver Training and Alliance Fleet Services through the relevant line manager. (Consideration should be given to consulting OHSU as to the nature of the adjustment.)

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4. Assessment Compliance [FOIA – Open] 4.1 This policy has been drafted and audited to comply with the principles of the

Human Rights Act. Equality and diversity issues have also been considered to ensure compliance with Equality legislation and policies. In addition Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Management of Police Information and Health and Safety issues have been considered. Adherence to this policy will therefore ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and internal policies.

5. Review and Ownership [FOIA – Open] 5.1 The review of the contents of this policy is the responsibility of the Commander

Alliance Operations Department. Review of the policy will be undertaken annually.

6. Useful Links [FOIA – Open]

6.1 This policy links with internal policies/working practices and external websites: D080 Pocket Books D191 Driving & Driver Training D227 Driving of Police Vehicles in an Emergency D332 Health & Safety – Diabetes Mellitus D344 Out of Vehicle Safety Highway Code Alliance Generic Risk Assessment Road Policing Patrol Officers General Duties

Strategic Alliance Mileage and Expense Claims Working Practice.

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Appendix A [FOIA – Closed when completed s.40(2)]

Indemnity for Use of Facilities I, [insert name] Of [insert address] Hereby undertake not to claim against the Devon & Cornwall Police as a result of my participation in accompanying a Police Officer on patrol duties. In particular, I accept that by being allowed to go on patrol I will not make any claim against the Police whatsoever, whether as a result of negligence or otherwise of Devon & Cornwall Police. I also indemnify the Force against any claim or civil action in negligence, contract or whatsoever, as a result of any damage or physical harm occasioned by any authorised use of Police patrol property. In particular I accept all responsibility for any harm occasioned by my being on Police property whether occasioned by Police personnel or prisoners. I know of no medical reason why I should not accompany a police officer on patrol duties. Signed: ____________________________________________ Dated: _____________________________________________