LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS MANUAL

Transcription

1 LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS MANUAL SUBJECT Traffic Enforcement Measuring Devices CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File NUMBER 126 ISSUE DATE July 8, 2010 REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 5 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES Administrative Code 15B , Light Transmittance Measuring Devices Administrative Code 15B2, Speed Measuring Devices Florida State Statutes, Chapters , Motor Vehicles General Order 120, Traffic Stops ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CFA Ver. 4.0; SUPPORTING FORMS KEY WORD(S) INDEX Policy RADAR - Speed Measuring Device Definitions LIDAR Speed Measuring Device General Guidelines Tint Meter POLICY When conducting traffic enforcement, members of the Department shall adhere to the guidelines set forth in this policy regarding measuring instruments DEFINITIONS Approved Speed Measuring Device: A LIDAR, RADAR or vehicle speedometer outlined in Administrative Code 15B2, approved by state standards, and properly certified and used to determine an accurate speed of a target vehicle. LIDAR: A speed measuring system used to measure distances and speed through light detection and ranging, commonly referred to as LASER. 06/10 CHIEF ARGATHA GILMORE 1

2 Light Transmittance Measuring Device (Tint Meter): A device utilized to measure the amount of light transmitted through auto window glass having any applied film or coating. RADAR: A speed measuring system used to measure speed through radio detection and ranging. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL GUIDELINES A. All speed and light transmittance-measuring devices shall be tested by the Department and approved by the Chief of Police or his designee. B. All such devices shall be deployed with the safety of the officer and motorists in mind. C. The Traffic Unit s Supervisor will ensure equipment certification for all traffic enforcement measuring devices is current. D. All officers utilizing speed measuring devices must have successfully completed the respective Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission's (CJTSC) operator s course designed for the specific technology employed, and be certified to operate the equipment. E. The operator must properly maintain all traffic enforcement measuring devices in operable condition. All malfunctions shall be reported to the Supervisor for correction or repair. F. Records documenting the maintenance, calibration, and operational record systems shall be accurately maintained and shall be provided as evidence in court, as warranted. G. Programmed maintenance, testing, and calibration of speed measuring devices, and maintenance and calibration schedules, must be in compliance with Florida Administrative Rule II. RADAR - SPEED MEASURING DEVICE A. Procedures for using RADAR 1. The RADAR unit must be properly installed and connected to an approved power source. 2. The effective range, and subjectivity to interference, of a particular RADAR unit must be understood by the operator in order to properly match visual target speed observations with speed readings. 06/10 CHIEF ARGATHA GILMORE 2

3 3. The operator shall choose an appropriate speed enforcement location with primary consideration to officer and public safety. 4. Members shall not utilize a RADAR unit unless it is properly calibrated to ensure accuracy in checking speed. 5. Prior to beginning, and at the conclusion of, each enforcement period, calibration tests using internal checks and external tuning fork verifications must be conducted. B. Courtroom testimony and RADAR use Officers using RADAR units shall establish and testify to the following in a court proceeding: 1. Employment with the Department at the time of the traffic enforcement 2. Training in the operation of the RADAR unit 3. The State of Florida s acceptability of the specific model of RADAR unit used in the enforcement 4. The proper certification of compliance for the RADAR unit 5. The RADAR unit was tested for accuracy utilizing both internal and external checks prior to, and at the conclusion of, the enforcement period 6. The time and location of the enforcement 7. Target vehicle identification 8. Visual estimation of the target vehicle's speed 9. The Doppler tone emitted by the RADAR unit corresponding with the visual speed estimation of the target vehicle 10. The identity of the target vehicle operator 11. The proper certification of compliance for the patrol vehicle's speedometer, in the case of a moving RADAR enforcement III. LIDAR - SPEED MEASURING DEVICE A. Procedures for using LIDAR 1. The LIDAR unit must be properly connected to an approved power source. 06/10 CHIEF ARGATHA GILMORE 3

4 2. The effective range, and subjectivity to interference, of a particular LIDAR unit must be understood by the operator in order to properly match visual target speed observations with speed readings. 3. The operator shall choose an appropriate speed enforcement location with primary consideration to officer and public safety. 4. Members shall not utilize a LIDAR unit unless it is properly calibrated to ensure accuracy in checking speed and range. 5. Prior to beginning, and at the conclusion of, each enforcement period, calibration tests using internal checks and external range and targeting verifications shall be conducted. B. Courtroom Testimony and LIDAR Use Officers using LIDAR units shall establish and testify to the following in a court proceeding: 1. Employment with the Department at the time of traffic enforcement 2. Training in the operation of the LIDAR unit 3. The State of Florida s acceptability of the specific model of the LIDAR unit used in the enforcement 4. The proper certification of compliance for the LIDAR unit 5. The LIDAR unit was tested for accuracy utilizing both internal and external checks prior to, and at the conclusion of, the enforcement period 6. The time and location of the enforcement 7. The target vehicle identification 8. The visual estimation of the target vehicle's speed 9. The identity of the target vehicle operator IV. LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE MEASURING DEVICE (TINT METER) A. All departmentally owned light transmittance measuring devices shall be issued through the Traffic Unit Supervisor. B. Any personally owned light transmittance measuring device shall be inspected by the Traffic Unit Supervisor prior to being utilized by any Department member. 06/10 CHIEF ARGATHA GILMORE 4

5 C. At the time of issuance or inspection, the Traffic Unit Supervisor shall review, the appropriate Florida State Statutes and Administrative Codes pertaining to light transmittance measuring devices with the member seeking issuance or inspection. 06/10 CHIEF ARGATHA GILMORE 5