Show Low Police Department

Policy & Guidelines

The Show Low Police Department is currently seeking accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  In doing so we have reviewed our policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with nationally recognized standards and guidelines.  In this section you will find our policies related to :

-          Department Seat Belt Requirements

-          Enforcement of Safety Belt and Child Passenger Safety

-          Enforcement of Speed Related Violations

-          Enforcement of Impaired Driving

 SHOW LOW POLICE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL ORDER                                                                                                            #GO-4.5

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DEPARTMENT VEHICLE USE

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EFFECTIVE DATE:           08-01-04                                                          REVISED:  01-01-11

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 I.          POLICE VEHICLES MARKINGS AND EQUIPMENT: [41.3.1, 41.3.2] 

A.             Marked Vehicles:

1.      Vehicles routinely assigned for general patrol are conspicuously marked. Show Low Police patrol vehicle markings may include:

* Black and White paint scheme

* Exterior overhead mounted emergency/hazard warning lights

* Show Low Police Department emblem on both the driver's side and passenger's side

* The emergency telephone number on the fenders

* The words "Police" clearly marked on the rear trunk lid

2.      Each marked vehicle used in routine patrol service is equipped with the following equipment in operational order:

a.   Red/blue emergency overhead warning lights

b.   Siren

c.   Mobile radio transceiver

d.   P.A. system

e.   Exterior spotlight

3.   Each marked vehicle used in routine patrol service should be equipped with the following supplies:

* First aid kit (including a Trauma Shooting Kit)

* Blanket

* Fire Extinguisher

* Flares

* Marking Paint

* Measuring Tape

* Barricade Tape

* Traffic Cones

* Any other equipment permanently assigned to that unit 

to this limitation in certain circumstances, such as with the media, citizen’s academy, or other groups as needed. 

b.         Participants will wear a civilian observer identification badge on their outer clothing. 

c.         Each occurrence of participation shall be approved by the Shift Supervisor and the Operations Commander. 

d.         A waiver of release signed by the participant and the Shift Supervisor must be on file in the Communications Center. 

e.         Any problem arising from the Ride-Along-Program should be brought to the attention of the Chief of Police. 

f.          Participants will comply with terms on waiver. 

g.         Participants must be over 14 years of age. 

4.         Any person with the approval of the Chief of Police. 

IV.        SEATBELT POLICY: [41.3.3] 

A.       All employees and passengers in city vehicles shall wear their seatbelts when the vehicle is in motion unless an officer safety issue exits. 

1.            In the case of prisoners being transported, the prisoner's seatbelt will be secured by the officer. Exceptions to this are when a prisoner is combative, injured or there is some reasonable reason preventing it. 

SHOW LOW POLICE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL ORDER                                                                                                            #GO-6.1

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TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT/SAFETY

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EFFECTIVE DATE:           02-01-95                                                          REVISED:  01-01-11

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I.                               Policy: 

It is the policy of the Show Low Police Department for all officers, regardless of their assignment, to appropriately enforce all traffic laws; and to enforce such traffic laws in a fair and impartial manner. 

A.    This policy cannot and should not supplant officer judgment, for it is impossible to foresee every conceivable situation involving traffic violations. 

B.     In unusual circumstances, the officer must decide what enforcement action is proper based on a combination of training, experience, and common sense. 

C.     While certain units may specialize in traffic enforcement, responsibility for traffic enforcement is shared by all uniformed patrol. 

D.    While Show Low Police Department enforces all traffic laws, emphasis is placed on enforcing those laws with the greatest impact on the public’s safety, such as DUI, speed and occupant protection. 

II.        Uniform Enforcement Procedures: [61.1.2] 

Officers will take appropriate enforcement action for violations of traffic law witnessed or reported to them. Most enforcement actions will be accomplished using one of the following three methods: 

A.  Physical Arrest: 

Officers may arrest persons in violation of criminal traffic laws such as driving under the influence of alcohol or driving with a suspended license. 

B.  Citation: 

The issuance of a traffic citation is applicable for violators who commit minor traffic offenses, whether those violations are moving, parking, or safety and equipment violations. 

C.  Written Warning:

A written warning is a proper response to minor traffic infractions committed in areas where traffic collision potential is minimal. 

III.       Uniform Enforcement Policies for Traffic Violators: [61.1.5] 

A.    Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Violations: 

Officers should arrest drivers violating DUI laws. Officers will make DUI arrests based upon facts, circumstances and observations that may include factors such as driving behavior, field sobriety tests, chemical tests and involvement in traffic crashes. [61.1.5a]

B.     Suspended or Revoked Driving Privileges:

1.      Officers frequently encounter drivers whose privilege to drive is suspended or revoked. If a violator’s license is revoked or suspended, the officer may issue a citation unless circumstances warrant making a physical arrest (for example, no supporting identification, resides in another state, etc.).  The officer will follow mandatory 30 day impound procedures with violator vehicles pursuant to ARS 28-3511.

2.      If there is doubt as to the validity of a license suspension and it’s not possible to verify the license status in a timely manner, the officer should issue a citation and release the driver. A physical arrest shouldn’t occur unless the officer has verification of a suspension through a court, MVD or the violator admits to being under suspension. [61.1.5b]

C.     Speeding Violations:

1.      Officers use discretion when deciding if a warning or citation is appropriate. It is important to consider weather conditions, traffic volume, pedestrian traffic, and location of the violation.

2.      Officers should issue citations when a violator exceeds the speed limit by more than ten (10) miles-per-hour. School zones are exceptions to this guideline. Officers should issue citations to violators in school zones when a violator exceeds the speed limit by five (5) miles-per-hour or more.

D.    Other Hazardous Violations: 

1.      Officers should issue citations for hazardous moving violations and operating unsafe or improperly equipped vehicles. Hazardous violations may include:

a.       Unsafe behavior violations. Reckless operation and failure to obey traffic control devices are examples of unsafe behavior violations.

b.      Unsafe condition violations. Permitting unlicensed minors to operate a motor