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 St. Augustine Beach
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 16. POLICE
 Article II. LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT

  § 16-23. Operation and maintenance of departmental equipment.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    Area of operations of police vehicles. The police vehicles shall normally be operated within the corporate limits of the city. The following are exceptions to this general rule:

    (1)

    When in pursuit of a lawbreaker for an offense committed in the city.

    (2)

    When an official business to the county jail or another county agency.

    (3)

    When assistance is specifically requested, by a designated authorized law enforcement agency.

    (b)

    General operational rules.

    (1)

    Officers shall at all times operate motor vehicles with due caution and at moderate speeds, taking into consideration the conditions existing.

    (2)

    No officer shall operate a police vehicle in excess of the legal speed limit unless the nature of his immediate duty demands that time be of the essence. If such is the case, the emergency equipment shall be in operation and the officer shall exercise extreme caution and not endanger the lives of others.

    (3)

    Officers shall avoid establishing a set pattern as to times and routes when conducting routine patrols.

    (4)

    Except for persons taken into custody and persons authorized by the mayor-commissioner, only authorized officers or city commissioners, on duty shall be permitted to ride in police vehicles.

    (5)

    In case of an accident, regardless of the amount of damages, the officer driving the vehicle shall submit a report in writing to the city commission, giving complete details.

    (6)

    Officers driving police vehicles shall refrain from undue rough usage.

    (7)

    When an officer is operating a police vehicle, he shall do so in a manner that would reflect credit to a sensible and safe driver, and he shall bear in mind that he is demonstrating to the public the correct manner of driving and he shall not deviate from this unless conditions warrant.

    (c)

    Leased vehicles. The fee to be paid the owner of the leased police vehicle for such use shall be determined by the city commission and the employment of such leased police vehicles shall be authorized by the mayor-commissioner.

    (d)

    Special equipment. All officers shall handle special equipment with extreme due caution and care. When an officer has knowledge that any piece of the special equipment needs repairs or replacement, he shall immediately give the facts to the chief of police who shall in turn notify the city commission.

(Ord. No. 21, §§ I(8), IV, 11-4-63)