Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual CHIEF'S PREFACE In order to guide personnel through the extensive body of knowledge required to successfully perform their duties and responsibilities, police departments across the country have developed policy manuals to assure the safe, professional and legal procedures are in place within their department. The purpose of this manual, then, is to guide employees of the Westminster Police Department in carrying out their assigned responsibilities. Therefore, it is mandatory for every member of the Westminster Police Department to read and comply with the policies established herein. This manual serves as our collective commitment as a police department to do our jobs in the most professional, ethical and legal manner possible. In addition, this policy manual is also critically important to our overall success as a police department. The contents of the manual reflect how the Department conducts business by documenting rules and establishing clear guidelines for consistent, efficient and best practices. These guidelines include the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Westminster Police Department's Mission, Vision, Goals and Core Values. By closely following the directives herein, personnel are enabled to provide reliable, effective and unwavering service to our community. Although our manual is considered to be a model policy, there is no policy manual that can cover each and every situation that one may encounter. Good judgment and training must also be exercised. Chief of Police, Mark Lauderback Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/02, All Rights Reserved. CHIEF'S PREFACE - 1 Published with permission by Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice. I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice. I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession . law enforcement. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/02, All Rights Reserved. LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS - 2 Published with permission by Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual MISSION STATEMENT It is the mission of the Westminster Police Department to protect the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce crime, and to enhance the quality of life in our community with commitment, compassion and integrity. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/02, All Rights Reserved. MISSION STATEMENT - 3 Published with permission by Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual Table of Contents CHIEF'S PREFACE . 1 LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS . 2 MISSION STATEMENT . 3 Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority . 9 100 - Law Enforcement Authority . 10 102 - Chief Executive Officer . 13 104 - Oath of Office . 14 106 - Policy Manual . 15 Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration . 18 200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility . 19 204 - General Orders . 20 205 - Physical Security of Police Facilities . 21 206 - Emergency Operations Plan . 23 207 - Mass Notification System . 24 208 - Training Policy . 26 212 - Electronic Mail . 29 213 - Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) . 31 214 - Administrative Communications . 33 216 - Staffing Levels . 34 218 - License to Carry a Firearm . 35 220 - Retiree Concealed Firearms . 43 221 - RETIREE PURCHASE OF FIREARM . 48 Chapter 3 - General Operations . 49 300 - Use of Force . 50 301 - Early Identification System . 61 303 - Audit, Controls, and Inspections . 65 306 - Handcuffing and Restraints . 71 307 - Control Devices and Techniques . 76 308 - Conducted Energy Device . 81 309 - Officer-Involved Shootings and Deaths . 88 311 - Firearms . 97 312 - Westminster Police Range and Safety Training Center . 107 313 - Vehicle Pursuits . 114 315 - Officer Response to Calls . 126 316 - Canines . 129 319 - Domestic Violence . 140 321 - Search and Seizure . 148 323 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles . 150 325 - Adult Abuse . 161 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/02, All Rights Reserved. Table of Contents - 4 Published with permission by Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual 327 - Discriminatory Harassment . 168 329 - Child Abuse . 174 331 - Missing Persons . 182 333 - Public Alerts . 188 335 - Victim and Witness Assistance . 193 337 - Hate Crimes . 195 339 - Standards of Conduct . 208 341 - Information Technology Use . 215 343 - Report Preparation . 219 345 - Media Relations . 224 348 - Subpoenas and Court Appearances . 227 350 - Reserve Officers . 230 351 - Outside Agency Assistance . 236 355 - Megan's Law . 238 357 - Major Incident Notification . 241 359 - Death Investigation . 243 361 - Identity Theft . 246 363 - Private Persons Arrests . 247 365 - Anti-Reproductive Rights Crimes Reporting . 249 367 - Limited English Proficiency Services . 251 369 - Communications with Persons with Disabilities . 258 371 - Mandatory Employer Notification . 266 373 - Biological Samples . 268 375 - Chaplains . 271 377 - Public Safety Video Surveillance System . 275 379 - Child and Dependent Adult Safety . 279 381 - Service Animals . 283 383 - Volunteer Program . 286 384 - Police Explorer Program . 291 385 - Off-Duty Law Enforcement Actions . 304 389 - Department Use of Social Media . 306 390 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation . 309 391 - Gun Violence Restraining Orders . 311 Chapter 4 - Patrol Operations . 314 400 - Patrol Function . 315 401 - Shift Change Policy . 317 402 - Bias-Based Policing . 319 403 - First Amendment Assemblies . 322 404 - Briefing Training . 328 405 - Civil Disputes . 329 406 - Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity . 332 407 - Suspicious Activity Reporting . 334 408 - West County SWAT . 336 410 - Ride-Along Policy . 347 412 - Hazardous Material Response . 350 414 - Hostage and Barricade Incidents . 352 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/02, All Rights Reserved. Table of Contents - 5 Published with permission by Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Westminster Police Department Policy Manual 415 - Crisis Intervention Incidents . 357 416 - Response to Bomb Calls . 362 417 - Medical Aid and Response . 367 418 - Mental Illness Commitments . 370 420 - Cite and Release Policy . 377 422 - Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Representatives . 381 424 - Rapid Response and Deployment . 385 425 - Robot Policy . 388 428 - Immigration Violations . 390 430 - Emergency Utility Service . 395 434 - Aircraft Accidents . 396 436 - Field Training Officer Program . 400 438 - Obtaining Air Support . 403 440 - Contacts and Temporary Detentions . 404 442 - Criminal Organizations . 408 444 - Watch Commanders . 413 448 - Mobile Data Terminal Use . 414 450 - Portable Audio/Video Recorders . 417 452 - Medical Marijuana . 427 454 - Bicycle Patrol Unit . 432 458 - Foot Pursuits . 435 462 - Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) . 440 465 - LOUD PARTY RESPONSE . 443 466 - Homeless Persons . 445 467 - Public Recording of Law Enforcement Activity . 448 468 - Naloxone Policy . 451 Chapter 5 - Traffic Operations . 454 500 - Traffic Function and Responsibility . 455 501 - Traffic Collision Reporting . 458 502 - Vehicle Towing and Release . 463 503 - Vehicle Impound Hearings . 468 504 - Impaired Driving . 470 505 - Traffic Citations . 476 506 - Disabled Vehicles . 479 507 - 72-Hour Parking Violations . 480 Chapter 6 - Investigation Operations . ..