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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0021 - Use and Care of Departmental EquipmentRed Wing Police Department Policy SUBJECT: POLICY NUMBER USE AND CARE OF DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT 21 EFFECTIVE DATE A ril 4, 2008 REFERENCE(S): APPROVED BY: CHIEF ROGER D. POHLMAN PURPOSE: To establish policy for the use and care of City of Red Wing or Red Wing Police Department equipment consistent with City of Red Wing Personnel Rules and Regulations. To establish guidelines for the reporting of needed repairs and/or replacement of lost or damaged equipment. The Red Wing Police Department expects it's personnel to responsibly use all equipment, and information systems included, but not limited to computer software and hardware, electronic mail (e-mail), voice -mail and related data and information. POLICY: Pursuant to Section 630, City of Red Wing Personnel Rules and Regulations, the following shall be the policy of the Red Wing Police Department: City machinery, equipment and property is procured and maintained for the sole and exclusive use of the City of Red Wing. No employee may use any city machinery, equipment or property for personal purposes without reasonable payment promptly made to the city as in the case of rentals, leases or sales to other city residents or customers. It shall be the duty of any employee to report to his/her department head any such personal use, prior to such use, at which time a reasonable charge will be determined and approved by the City Council Administrator if none formally exists. No charges shall be made in any case where the city does not incur any direct or indirect cost or charge through depletion or depreciation of city supplies, machinery, equipment or other property. 1. TELEPHONES AND CELL PHONES A. Telephones within and supplied by the Red Wing Police Department shall be used only for official police related business. 1. Officers may make local calls to family members to inform them of extended shifts, etc. B. Officers shall not use the conference call features of this system for calls of a personal nature to engage in multi -way conversations. C. Officers will discourage friends and family from calling them during times they are on duty, unless it is necessary. Page 1 of 3 USE AND CARE OF DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT -POLICY 21 D. Telephone calls for an officer will be taken by the dispatcher and directed to the individual officers voice mail. It is the duty of each officer to check for messages on a regular basis. 1. It is not the duty of the dispatcher or any other employee of the Goodhue County Sheriffs Department or the Red Wing Police Department to notify an officer of any telephone calls directed to voice mail. E. Officers home telephone numbers will be treated as "Unlisted" and will not be given out to callers not directly related to the local Criminal Justice system. The caller should be asked if anyone present can assist them. If not, the caller should be directed to the officers voice mail to leave a message. 1. Officer's home numbers will not be given out to attorneys or others not directly engaged in prosecutions or defense for the City of Red Wing or it's Police Department. F. Telephone Etiquette 1. All officers will identify the department and themselves by name when answering an external call to any department telephone. As an example "Police Department, Officer (or whatever rank) Smith." 2. All officers will identify themselves by name when answering an internal call to any department telephone. As an example, "Squad Room, Officer (or whatever rank) Smith." 3. Whenever any officer calls and leaves a message for someone, they will leave their rank or position and name as a part of the message. This will apply to answering machines as well as messages left with other persons. 2. AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT A. Any audio or video equipment owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department shall be used for police related purposes only. Officers shall not use the equipment for their own benefit or that of family members, friends, or members of the general public. 3. COMPUTERS, RELATED HARDWARE, AND SOFTWARE PROGRAMS A. Any computers, related hardware, or software programs owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department shall be used for police related purposes only. Officers shall not use the equipment for their own benefit or that of family members, friends, or members of the general public. Page 2 of 3 USE AND CARE OF DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT -POLICY 21 B. Data that is composed, transmitted, accessed or received via the Internet must not contain content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, obscene, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive to any employee or other person. Viewing or transmitting any sexually orientated materials is strictly prohibited, unless necessary in the course of a criminal/civil investigation and authorized in advance by the Chief of Police or their designee. 4. MOBILE OR PORTABLE RADIOS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT A. Any mobile or portable radios and related equipment owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department shall be used for police related purposes only. Officers shall not use the equipment for their own benefit or that of family members, friends, or members of the general public. 5. FIREARMS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT A. Any firearms or related equipment owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department shall be used for police related purposes only. Officers shall not use the equipment for their own benefit or that of family members, friends, or members of the general public. 6. OTHER EQUIPMENT NOT LISTED ABOVE A. Any other equipment or property owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department shall be used for police related purposes only. Officers shall not use the equipment for their own benefit or that of family members, friends, or members of the general public without the express permission of the chief of police or their designee. 7. CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT A. Officers are required to treat equipment or property owned by or under the control of the Red Wing Police Department with reasonable care. Damages or defects shall be reported to the officer's immediate supervisor, or if not on duty, to the senior officer. B. Property or equipment losses occurring through destruction, damage, or loss due to misuse, carelessness, or reckless disregard for the proper use of the item, and not covered by insurance, may be assessed against the officer who had control of the item at the time the loss occurs. Each loss will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine the officer's liability. 2. Losses occurring through misuse that are covered by insurance may still result in disciplinary action against the officer who had control of the item(s) at the time the loss occurs and was responsible for the misuse. Page 3 of 3 USE AND CARE OF DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT -POLICY 21