NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

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NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT 2.4.1 Assistance to Highway Users Directive 2.4 - Ancillary Services A. Officers will provide general assistance to the motoring public at all hours of the day. Reasonable assistance may be provided such as giving directions and information, summoning towing authorities, and offering appropriate aid. However, the use of a cruiser to jump-start another vehicle is prohibited due to the possible damaging effects on the radio system. Officers may utilize the Police Department’s portable battery jump start system to provide assistance. B. New Albany has entered into contract with private tow companies for the towing of vehicles upon request of the Police Department. Should an officer encounter a motorist in need of mechanical assistance, the officer may offer reasonable assistance or provide transportation to a phone, garage, or other reasonable destination, as calls for service allow. If an officer provides transportation, he/she will provide the Dispatch Center with passenger information, start and ending mileage (for the transportation of members of the opposite sex and juveniles), and destination. Should a tow be necessary, officers shall inform the motorist of the cost of the tow. However, should a motorist need a tow and the vehicle poses no danger to the motoring public and/or the stranded motorist, the officer may summon a private towing company as requested by the stranded motorist. C. When an officer encounters a stranded motorist, he/she shall provide reasonable assistance to the motorist. If the stranded vehicle creates a hazardous situation, the officer will summon a tow truck for the vehicle’s removal. If the vehicle can be safely pushed, the officer may have the vehicle owner sign a release form (PD-04-101) (Addendum D) to push the vehicle from the roadway. The officer may also make reasonable efforts to assist the stranded motorist by providing or arranging transportation. An officer should not abandon a stranded motorist where the motorist is exposed to a dangerous or hazardous situation. Officers should utilize flares, traffic cones, or their cruiser’s emergency lights to warn other motorists and minimize potential hazards. When an officer utilizes a cruiser fitted with a push bumper, he/she must adhere to the following procedures: Inspect the vehicle to be pushed for damage with focus upon the type of bumper it has, what force it may withstand during a pushing maneuver, and indications of current damage Before pushing a vehicle, an officer must evaluate the bumper of the car being pushed in comparison to the height and spacing of the push bumper to ensure the push can be done without damage to either vehicle Point out existing damage to the owner/driver and make note of the damage When possible, a spotter should be used to ensure vehicle position is in alignment The disabled vehicle will not be pushed farther than necessary to clear the roadway for traffic Pushing up or down significant grades is prohibited Vehicles in excess of two tons will not be pushed 29

Once the disabled vehicle is in a safe area, the officer should summon the appropriate towing authorities If leaving the stranded vehicle/motorist, the officer should re-check the situation as time permits Push bumpers shall not be used as a ramming device in pursuit situations D. When an officer encounters a vehicle fire, the officer will immediately notify the Dispatch Center and provide the location, type of vehicle, location of the fire in the vehicle, and any hazardous cargo. The Dispatch Center will initiate the appropriate fire department response. An officer may utilize the cruiser’s fire extinguisher in an attempt to control small vehicle fires while awaiting the fire department. When an officer encounters a medical emergency, he/she will notify the Dispatch Center and provide the location, apparent nature of the emergency, and condition of the patient. The Dispatch Center will initiate the appropriate fire department response. After notifying the Dispatch Center and protecting the scene, an officer will render first aid. 2.4.2 Hazardous Highway Conditions Roadway and roadside hazards are those conditions which have the potential of causing damage or injury to vehicles, property, or pedestrians using the roadway. Such hazards may include, but are not limited to, debris in the roadway, defects in the roadway itself, lack of traffic control devices or informational signs, roadway obstructions, inclement weather conditions, abandoned/illegally parked vehicles on or near the roadway, and fixed objects located too near the roadway. When, in an officer’s opinion, a hazard requires immediate correction, the Dispatch Center will immediately be contacted and provided with the necessary information about the hazard so that the appropriate response may be initiated (such as calling the Service Department). While waiting the response of the appropriate assistance, the officer will protect the public from the hazard. This may include directing traffic, closing the hazardous section of the roadway to all vehicular travel, and/or positioning his/her cruiser so as to keep the motoring public away from the hazardous situation. When a hazard has been detected that does not necessitate an emergency response, the officer will provide the Dispatch Center with the necessary information about the hazard. The Dispatch Center will contact the Service Department and advise them of the hazard. Officers who are able to correct a hazard without assistance are permitted to do so (such as removing a roadway obstruction) but should take precautions so as not to endanger their safety. Officers should notify the Dispatch Center in such cases and request additional assistance from other officers, if necessary. 2.4.3 Towing The New Albany Police Department utilizes a list of approved towing companies for towing, storage, and impoundment of motor vehicles. The towing companies shall be used on a rotating basis so that each company will equally provide services during a calendar year. When an officer orders a vehicle towed, he/she will complete a Vehicle Impound Form (PD-08- 179)(Addendum E). Officers do not need to complete a Vehicle Impound Form for disabled vehicles out of traffic crashes when the owner/operator is available at the crash scene. If the owner/operator is incapacitated (i.e. - squad transport), a Vehicle Impound Form will be completed. 30

Once the disabled vehicle is in a safe area, the officer should summon the<br />

appropriate towing authorities<br />

If leaving the stranded vehicle/motorist, the officer should re-check the situation as<br />

time permits<br />

Push bumpers shall not be used as a ramming device in pursuit situations<br />

D. When an officer encounters a vehicle fire, the officer will immediately notify the<br />

Dispatch Center and provide the location, type of vehicle, location of the fire in the<br />

vehicle, and any hazardous cargo. The Dispatch Center will initiate the appropriate fire<br />

department response. An officer may utilize the cruiser’s fire extinguisher in an attempt<br />

to control small vehicle fires while awaiting the fire department.<br />

When an officer encounters a medical emergency, he/she will notify the Dispatch Center<br />

and provide the location, apparent nature of the emergency, and condition of the patient.<br />

The Dispatch Center will initiate the appropriate fire department response. After<br />

notifying the Dispatch Center and protecting the scene, an officer will render first aid.<br />

2.4.2 Hazardous Highway Conditions<br />

Roadway and roadside hazards are those conditions which have the potential of causing damage<br />

or injury to vehicles, property, or pedestrians using the roadway. Such hazards may include, but<br />

are not limited to, debris in the roadway, defects in the roadway itself, lack of traffic control<br />

devices or informational signs, roadway obstructions, inclement weather conditions,<br />

abandoned/illegally parked vehicles on or near the roadway, and fixed objects located too near<br />

the roadway.<br />

When, in an officer’s opinion, a hazard requires immediate correction, the Dispatch Center will<br />

immediately be contacted and provided with the necessary information about the hazard so that<br />

the appropriate response may be initiated (such as calling the Service Department). While waiting<br />

the response of the appropriate assistance, the officer will protect the public from the hazard.<br />

This may include directing traffic, closing the hazardous section of the roadway to all vehicular<br />

travel, and/or positioning his/her cruiser so as to keep the motoring public away from the<br />

hazardous situation.<br />

When a hazard has been detected that does not necessitate an emergency response, the officer<br />

will provide the Dispatch Center with the necessary information about the hazard. The Dispatch<br />

Center will contact the Service Department and advise them of the hazard.<br />

Officers who are able to correct a hazard without assistance are permitted to do so (such as<br />

removing a roadway obstruction) but should take precautions so as not to endanger their safety.<br />

Officers should notify the Dispatch Center in such cases and request additional assistance from<br />

other officers, if necessary.<br />

2.4.3 Towing<br />

The <strong>New</strong> <strong>Albany</strong> Police Department utilizes a list of approved towing companies for towing,<br />

storage, and impoundment of motor vehicles. The towing companies shall be used on a rotating<br />

basis so that each company will equally provide services during a calendar year.<br />

When an officer orders a vehicle towed, he/she will complete a Vehicle Impound Form (PD-08-<br />

179)(Addendum E). Officers do not need to complete a Vehicle Impound Form for disabled<br />

vehicles out of traffic crashes when the owner/operator is available at the crash scene. If the<br />

owner/operator is incapacitated (i.e. - squad transport), a Vehicle Impound Form will be<br />

completed.<br />

30

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