ODON
POLICE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
1.
Introduction.
The rules and regulations sets forth in the standard operating procedures for
the Odon police department are enforce until the marshal revises them.
1.1.
Purpose:
This standard is to specify the minimum requirements for an occupational safety
and health program for the Odon Police Department, and safety procedures for
those individuals involved in police duties, rescue, and related activities that
will be mentioned in this manual.
1.2.
Definitions:
a. Officer
Defined. An officer shall be those who have been properly sworn to the oath
of the office by the Odon town clerk/treasure
b. Marshal
Defined. The main administrator of the department
c. Shall.
Is mandatory
d. May.
Is permissive
e. Should. Is suggestive
2.
Officer Conduct.
Each officer shall read and understand town ordinance # 12-971. Every officer
shall conduct themselves in a professional manner while out in public or acting
as a representative of the Odon police department. There will be no profane
language or loud boisterous conduct while in public. No officer is to discuss
department problems with anyone outside of the department. No officer will
create or take a stand on departmental policy where other departments are
involved. All such issues will only be settled between the marshal and the
officer involved. Any contrary thoughts shall be discussed privately with the
marshal. A serious confrontation shall be placed in writing for the marshal's
attention before end of the tour of duty. When there is a complaint regarding an
officer's conduct or illegal activity the marshal will first determine if there
is cause for action, if the complaint is valid. When the marshal determines
there should be action taken he will contact the officer and the Odon town board
members to set a hearing date. After the hearing the marshal and the Odon town
board shall determine the punishment, from suspension with pay to dismissal from
the department.
2.1.
General Appearance.
All officers shall report for duty in full uniform, properly pressed, clean and
properly worn. Unless otherwise arranged with the marshal. Physical hygiene will
be guarded closely, clean-shaven, hair combed teeth and finger nails all clean.
2.2.
Uniform Dress Code.
The Odon town marshal establishes the uniform of the Odon police department.
Officers shall not purchase firearms or other items to wear as part of the
uniform unless approved by the marshal. The equipment furnished by the town is
to be kept clean and in good working order.
1. Shirt. The uniform shirt will be navy blue in color and will consist
of short (summer) or long sleeves (winter). All officers shall wear the uniform
shirt tucked inside the uniform slacks at all times.
2. Slacks.
Uniform slacks shall be french blue with a half inch navy blue stripe. While
standing, slacks shall be of sufficient length so as to cause the front crease
to have or nearly have a slight break in the crease line caused by the bottom
edge of the slacks meeting the top of the shoe.
3. Stockings. Navy blue or black stockings shall be worn with uniform
when low cut shoes is worn. Boots are exempt from this policy and any color
stockings may be worn.
4. Necktie. The necktie is optional but should be worn with the uniform
shirts when appearing for court. A turtle neck shirt may be worn in place of the
necktie except when appearing in court.
5. Bullet
Proof Vest. This item should be worn at all times while uniform.
6. Uniform
boots and shoes. Uniform boots and shoes shall be black in color.
7. Uniform Duty Leather. Uniform
leather shall be black basket wave of clarion style or plain black as selected
and approved by the marshal.
8. Collar
Brass. Collar brass is composed of OPD or OPDR worn on collars
of the summer and winter shirts. They are worn parallel to the top of the
collar, 1" down from the collar, on the winter shirt and crossways to the
point of the collar on the summer shirt.
9. Whistle
Chain. The whistle chain is worn from the right shoulder epaulet to the
right shirt pocket on both summer and winter shirt. The chain enters the pocket
from the buttonhole. All awards, ILEA handgun qualification, etc. will be placed
in a stacked fashion with the first one on the pocket flap and other above it
with the whistle chain going behind them.
10. Name Tag.
The nametag will be worn on the left shirt pocket flap, centered just below the pocket seam.
11. Badge. The badge will be
worn high enough so it does not touch the pocket on the left side.
12. Hat.
The campaign hat (straw or felt) is optional wear except when appearing in court
or during special events (i.e. Old Settlers Week). All officers are authorized
to wear a ball cap in the place of the campaign hat except when appearing in
court or special events. The ball cap must have a law enforcement insignia on it
and be approved by the marshal.
3.
Weapons, Equipment and Qualifications
3.1.
Weapons. All
officer's side arms will be kept clean and in good working order. At no time
will an officer carry or use a weapon on duty that he or she has not qualified
with or that has not been approved by the marshal. Each officer will be familiar
with all the weapons carried in each patrol car. All department issue weapons
will use only department issued ammunition while on duty. Any non-department
issued weapon will use factory-loaded ammunition matched to the caliber of the
weapon. Handgun ammunition will be a hollow point bullet with a weight of
between 130 and 160 grains. Shotgun ammunition will be either 00 buck, #4 buck
or deer slug. Off duty weapons will be of 25 caliber or larger and have a
trigger guard. Officers may carry a weapon while off duty. The marshal must
approve weapons, other than those currently carried in each patrol car.
3.2.
Prohibited Use and Handling of Firearms. No officer shall:
1. Fire into crowds
2. Fire into buildings or through doors, windows or openings when the person is
not clearly visible.
3. To effect the arrest of a person
who has committed a crime other than those specified under the section titled
"use of deadly/reasonable force."
4. Warning shots
5. Firing at and/or from a moving vehicle, unless there is a threat to the life
and well being of the officer or other person(s).
6. In areas heavily populated by citizens on foot or
in vehicles, except to prevent death or serious injury to the officer or other
person(s).
7. Officers shall not draw, flaunt, or otherwise
display a firearm except in strict compliance with the line of duty and
department policy.
8. Official discharge of a firearm requires
completion of a firearm report in the manner prescribed by the marshal.
3.3.
Qualifications.
Officers shall be required to qualify with their duty weapon, shotgun, any off
duty weapons or other weapons carried while on duty or to be used in the line of
duty. A qualified range officer shall supervise the qualification. If an officer
fails to qualify with his or her weapon the officer will be restricted to riding
with another officer until such time
as the officer can qualify with the weapon. Firearm qualifications will be held
with the Davies County Sheriffs Department (DCSD).
4.
Patrol Cars
4.1.
Use. All
officers shall be familiar with the use and operation of all the equipment
contained in each patrol car. Maintenance, care, and cleanliness are the
responsibility of each officer in the department. If any patrol car develops a
mechanical or equipment problem it must be brought to the marshal's attention
immediately after discovery of the problem. If the patrol car in use is out of
service the officer must use the next available car. No officer will remain on
duty in a vehicle where the equipment or the car is not functioning properly.
All Odon police department vehicles shall be driven in a safe and proper manner.
All traffic laws shall be observed, with exception of emergency runs. There
shall be no smoking permitted in any patrol car by an officer or occupant.
4.2.
Accidents.
The Odon police department shall not investigate any accident involving its own
vehicles.
1. If inside the town limits of Odon or inside of
Davies county contact the DCSD unless inside Washington City limits then contact
the Washington City police.
2. If out side of Daviess county contact the
sheriff's department or city police department with jurisdiction if available,
if not contact the Indiana State Police,
3. Any accidents involving personal injury or if the
patrol car is disabled contact the marshal at the earliest possible time.
4.3.
Riders and the Ride Along Program.
1. Any adult wishing to ride with an officer shall
first get the permission from that officer, then make an appointment with the
marshal for approval.
2. The person requesting permission to ride shall be
required to sign a ride along request form and a responsibility waiver.
3. An officer shall never be required to have a
civilian ride along rider against his/her will.
4. The
rider shall be required to dress in a neat, clean and dignified manner.
5. Riders in the ride along program shall at no time
become involved in any police action that could result in injury to the rider.
6. An officer may transport civilian riders other
than authorized participants in the department ride along program and immediate
members of their family, on a limited basis with the approval of the marshal.
4.4.
Emergency Runs.
The proper handling of an emergency by a police officer cannot be accomplished
unless the officer arrives safely at the scene. The driver of a police vehicle
approaching an intersection controlled by a light, stop sign, or any controlled
intersection shall proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only
after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation. Resume speed only
when safe. When using the lights and siren. The officer is requesting the right
of way, and does not absolutely have the right to run a red traffic light or
stop sign at high speed. There are two driving situations as explained below:
1. Responses to calls will not exceed the posted
speed limit. If assistance of an emergency nature is needed, signal 10 runs will
be permitted. Additional units may also proceed signal 10. Emergency lights will
not be used while responding to routine calls.
2. Signal 10, high-speed runs will be kept to a
minimum, and will be the exception not the rule. Only in dire emergencies will
high-speed runs be made.
The
policy of the Odon police department with regard to the use of red lights and
siren must be consistent with the policy, intent and spirit of legislation
reference to the use, of such equipment. The following quoted sections from the
Indiana statutes indicate the spirit of legislation involved.
9-4-1-25 Publicly Owned Vehicles; Emergency Vehicles.
The provisions of this act applicable to the drivers of all vehicles on a
highway shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the
United States, this state or any county, city, town, district or any other
political subdivision of the state to such specific exceptions as are set forth
in this act with reference to authorized emergency vehicles. Unless specifically
made applicable, the provisions of this act shall not apply to persons, teams,
motor vehicles and other equipment while engaged in work on the surface of a
highway, but shall apply to such persons and when traveling to and from work.
The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency
or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when
responding, but not returning from, a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges
set forth in this act, but subject to the conditions herein stated. The driver
of an authorized emergency vehicle may.
1. Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of
this act
2. Proceed past a red or stop signal
or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe
operation.
3. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he/she
does not endanger life or property.
4. Disregard regulations governing direction of
movement or turning in
The
exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only
when
1. The use of red lights and siren to assume special
driving privileges and to warn the public thereof is authorized only when the
police car is being used as an emergency vehicle, to wit: when answering an
emergency call or when pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law.
2. When it is necessary to assume special driving
privileges both red lights and siren shall be used.
3. No police employee driving a police vehicle as an
emergency vehicle will drive with reckless disregard for the safety of others,
even though the red lights and siren are being used. All such employees will
exercise appropriate caution in such emergency driving as directed by the
condition of the highway, the density of vehicular and pedestrian traffic,
visibility, and all other circumstances having bearing on the probability of an
accident.
4.5.
Blockades/Roadblocks.
Roadblocks shall be employed only as a last resort.
1. Emergency vehicle lighting shall be in operation
when a police vehicle is used as a stationary roadblock.
2. Vehicles used as stationary roadblocks shall not
be occupied.
3. Privately owned vehicles shall not be commandeered
to be used as roadblock.
4. Roadblocks
shall be set up where it will afford clear visibility to traffic in all
directions and to all highway users.
5. An escape route through the roadblock must be
established. The escape route must be established in such a manner to be
maneuvered through at a reasonable speed.
6. Remove vehicles and people not associated with the
roadblock.
7. Rolling roadblocks (boxing in) shall not be used.
8. Stop sticks will be used vise roadblocks whenever
possible.
9. Each regular officer will carry in his vehicle a
card with the state police blockade codes.
10. Only in an extreme emergencies will a blockade
location be mentioned on the air, unless the dispatching agency gives the road
block site on air.
11. An officer may run to a blockade with red lights
and siren at his/her discretion, if circumstances warrant.
12. No officer of this department shall stop traffic
while alone at a blockade point. He/She is to set and observe the traffic at
that point until assistance arrives. If they observe the suspect vehicle they
are to follow or pursue it until help arrives.
13. All blockades/road blocks are set up as a result
of a crime or requested by another police agency.
14. In cases where vehicles are stopped and checked,
any officer checking the vehicle will make a visual search of all vehicles, but
not a physical search unless the vehicle or occupants match or the officer has
other probable cause to do so.
15. Another officer from a safe position shall cover
officers stopping and checking the vehicles with the proper weapon.
4.6.
Leaving the County.
Department vehicles shall not leave the county, except with the approval of the
Marshal or for official business and in the performance of duty (hot pursuit
will be an exception).
4.7.
Additional Guidelines.
a. No passengers except department employees, police
officers or other specifically authorized individuals shall be permitted in a
police car during signal 10 runs. Unauthorized individuals shall be let out of
the vehicle before commencing their run. Signal 10 runs will not be made with a
prisoner in the vehicle unless run is for the saft6ty or security of the
prisoner or the officer.
b. At no time will officers endanger the lives of
passengers.
c. Only department employees may operate department
vehicles unless otherwise authorized by the marshal.
d. Only department employees will use department
equipment, including radio and weapons, except in dire emergency.
e. The
driver and all passengers shall be required to wear their seat belts.
f. Employees will not operate department vehicles
barefoot or shirtless. Neat; presentable clothing; is required.
g. Officers shall always be armed while in the
department vehicle. Necessary items and equipment shall be in the vehicle at all
times to answer complaints, accident or other emergency or police calls.
h. Officers assigned department vehicles shall be
considered on 24 hr call, except during vacation and may be called at any time
to answer an emergency or police action, or to stand by at any complaint or
accident until the unit assigned arrives and relieves the off duty officer.
i. Off-duty officers, while in department vehicles
shall keep radio volume at an audible level. They shall answer all radio traffic
directed to them, or any other emergency call dispatched that they can readily
answer.
j. All employees in marked vehicles shall be
constantly aware that they are being observed by the public, and are considered
on duty by all citizens that see the marked; vehicle.
k. All officers shall not display any type of red
lights in or on their personal vehicle without the approval of the marshal.
5.
Pursuits:
When pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law a motor vehicle pursuit
is justified only when the necessity of immediate apprehension clearly outweighs
the level of danger created by the pursuit. Totally encompassing guidelines
cannot be established to cover all types and circumstances of emergency and
pursuit driving. However, officers involved in emergency driving or vehicular pursuits will be held j
accountable for their decisions made during the pursuit and must constantly
strive to use good judgment and observe for the unexpected variables that
spontaneously occur.
a. Engaging in emergency or pursuit driving will
normally be a discretionary decision on the part of the individual officer.
b. Emergency or pursuit driving shall not be
initiated when non-department personnel or persons in custody are passengers in
an authorized emergency vehicle.
c. If the suspect in the pursued vehicle has been
identified, termination of the pursuit may be the best course of action. If the
pursuit continues, the pursuing officer' must constantly question and evaluate
if the seriousness of the crime justifies the increased dangers of the continued
pursuit.
6.
Use Of Deadly/Reasonable Force. Officers
shall use only that force which is necessary, exhausting every reasonable means,
before resorting to the use of a firearm. Deadly force shall be considered as a
last resort rather than an alternative. Such force shall never be used on mere
suspicion. The safety of the citizen and fellow officers shall always be a
consideration in any decision to use a firearm.
a. Officers are justified in using reasonable force
if they reasonably believe that force is necessary to effect a lawful arrest.
However, an officer is justified in using deadly force only if he believed that
such force is necessary to:
1.
Prevent serious bodily injury to himself or third person
2.
Prevent the commission of a forcible felony, or to effect the arrest of a person
(a). Murder
(b).
Rape
(c).
Robbery
(d).
Arson
(e).
Any other felony which involves the use or threat of force or violence
b. Officers who have an arrested
person in their custody are justified in using the same
c. The use of deadly force policy stated above shall
be the primary consideration governing pursuits and subsequent roadblocks.
1.
Discharging
firearms at or from a moving vehicle is prohibited unless the
2.
A police
vehicle shall not be used to "RAM" another vehicle during a pursuit.
A
police vehicle shall be viewed with the same regard as use of a deadly weapon
and such use shall be considered only as a last resort during pursuits when the
officer reasonably believes he must use such force to prevent serious bodily
injury to himself or a third person.
7.
Media.
7:1.
News media.
The police department should make every attempt to work with the news media when
the department is involved in or has information of newsworthy items. The
Marshal shall approve all releases. Exceptions are when an arrest is made and
the subject is jailed at the DCSD, the release is then through theDCSD.
7.2.
Death Notification.
When giving death notification due to accidents, homicide, etc. An officer in
person shall make this if possible. No news release shall be made until this is
done.
8.
Complaints.
8.1.
Intervention.
Complaints or investigation where there is a personal relationship between the
officer and the accused, victim or suspect, will require that the officer remove
him/herself from the investigation. Officers shall not interfere with cases or
investigations being handled by other employees of the department or any other
agency or person unless:
1. Ordered to interfere by a supervisory officer.
2. The interfering officer believes beyond a
reasonable doubt, that a manifest injustice would result from inaction.
3. In all instances, a written report of the
interference with action taken and basis of action should be forwarded to the
marshal before the end of that duty shift.
8.2.
Citizen Complaints.
Officers shall courteously and promptly direct persons wishing to lodge a
complaint against any officer or department policy or procedure to the marshal.
The marshal may forward the complaint to the town board if the complaints are of
a serious nature. The marshal shall conduct a formal investigation if the
complaint is of a serious nature. Persons wishing to make complaints on officers
shall be required to fill out a written complaint.
9.
Use of Force.
It is the policy of the Odon police department that the amount and degree of
force to be used is that which is reasonably necessary to perform the various
duties of employees in restraining arrestees to prevent personal injury and
property damage. Each instance of the use of force will be require that
restraint be exercised so as not to purposefully exceed that force necessary as
dictated by the particular circumstance faced by the employee. These procedures
will not be in conflict with other sections of this manual, but will compliment
and extend those other written policies to all duties of employees. When use of
force is needed in the performance of duties the use of force that results in
personal injury or substantial property damage shall be factually reported in
writing. The written report of use of force may be a part of the written
incident report; however, it shall be addressed to the marshal.
10.
Arrests. IF
IN DOUBT DO NOT ARREST! Long form the subject if there is doubt about the
legality of an arrest. All subjects taken into custody who are arrested on any
charge of alcohol, drug, disorderly conduct or any felony shall be handcuffed
behind the back for transportation. They will be field searched or frisked
before being placed into the vehicle. They will be taken to the Davies County
Security Center for booking. Before transport the officer must report to the
Davies county dispatcher the starting; mileage and having arrived at the
security center the officer must report the ending mileage. This information
will be logged in the officer's logbook.
11.
Inventory. Any
vehicle towed or impounded, as a result of an arrest will have its contents
inventoried as soon as possible. All property contained in the vehicle will be
listed on the inventory sheet along with the name of the officer conducting the
inventory. Towing services shall be rotated.
12.
Reports. The
Odon police department will work all cases, incidents or arrests that occur in
the town limits of Odon. The officer working the detail will complete all
associated paper work. If an officer is called to work a case outside the tow,
limits of Odon, the officer is responsible for completing the associated paper
work unless otherwise instructed by the police agency holding jurisdiction in
the case or by the marshal.
13.
Training.
All officers are required to have 16 hours of in service training per year. Any
training required by the town will be paid for and if it falls on the officer's
days off officer will be paid for
that time. All training shall be approved by the marshal and shall be attended
during the officer's regular days of scheduled duty (if possible). If an officer
wishes to attend training that is not required, the town of Odon shall not be
required to pay the officer for attending this training if it falls on his/her
regular scheduled days off.
14.
Sexual Harassment.
No Officer shall in any way do or make any derogatory remarks or gestures toward
any person no type of derogatory materials may be displayed in the police
station or any police vehicle. Such derogatory materials include but are not
limited to nude or partially nude pictures of men or women. Regardless of race
religion, color or nationality.
15.
Accident Investigation.
All personal injury accidents and property damage accidents with damage over
$750.00 there shall be a state accident report filed. In ail other cases it is
the discretion of the officer, unless an accident report is requested by the
person(s) involved at the scene. Any accident investigation outside the town
limits of Odon will be handled in accordance with the DCSD SOP.
16.
Jurisdiction.
All officers have direct jurisdiction inside the limits of the town of Odon. All
cases which occur within these limits will be handled by an Odon police officer
whenever possible unless otherwise directed. No officer will act outside of the
town limits unless, dispatched by the DCSD, the officer is involved in a
pursuit, or directed to do so by the marshal. Felonies are the only exception to
this jurisdiction rule. It is not the intention of this rule to limit the
officer's ability to perform his/her duty. However, the close working
relationships, which exist between our department, and surrounding departments
must be taken into consideration when outside of town limits.
17.
Towing. No
wrecker will be called to tow a vehicle that sits on private property unless the
vehicle was involved in a crime or is part of the evidence in a crime. If the
owner of the property wishes the vehicle removed then the owner shall call the
wrecker.
18.
Police Action Shooting.
In tile event of an officer involved shooting. The Officer will be placed on a
paid leave of absence until cleared by a formal investigation conducted by the
DCSD.
19.
Fire Calls.
When an officer is called to a fire scene he is to assist the fire chief at the
scene as he is in charge of the fire scene. An officer will only respond to fire
calls in the town limits of Odon unless requested by the fire chief, directed by
the Marshal or dispatched by the DCSD. The officer is to assist in the
investigation as needed. If DCSD investigator is needed then he is to be
contacted by that officer.
20.
Hazardous Materials.
When an Officer is called to a scene of suspected hazardous materials the
officer is to do:
1. Upon arrival ascertain if there is actually
hazardous materials involved, if it can be done with out danger to the officer
or others. Find out what kind of hazardous materials by placard number, UN
number, weigh bill or name on package.
2. If hazardous materials are involved, determine if
there is a released of product.
3. If there is a release then notify the department
to contact the civil defense director and the state police for assistance. DO
NOT approach the release area until it can be determined if the material is
hazardous.
4. Notify the dispatcher about the weather conditions
around the site. (wind, temperature, precipitation)
5. If there is a need to evacuate or isolate the area
do so if it can be done with out risk.
6. When adequate assistance arrives there should be
an incident commander assigned to over see the incident (the person with the
most knowledge of the type of incident). The officer should contact him and find
out how he could best serve.
7. Tile officer should stay at the incident until he
is relieved, the sheriff or marshal orders him/her to leave or the situation
becomes too hazardous to stay in the area.