Department personnel who must transport juveniles under eight years of age must transport the juvenile in a properly installed child passenger restraint system (child safety seat)-, that meets applicable federal motor safety standards (27360(a) CVC). If the juvenile is under two years of age, Department personnel shall properly secure the juvenile in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system that meets applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, unless the juvenile weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. The juvenile shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system (27360 (b) CVC).
In order for a child passenger restraint system to be installed properly, it must be firmly secured to a cushioned vehicle seat. Child passenger restraint systems CANNOT be properly installed to a plastic vehicle seat, as found in most Department patrol units. Additionally, it is inherently dangerous for a child seated in a child safety seat to be placed directly in front of an air bag device. Air bags inflate at an extremely rapid rate and have caused serious injury to children seated in child safety seats.
Department personnel shall not place child safety seats in the rear of a patrol unit with hard plastic seats. Additionally, personnel shall not place child safety seats in the front passenger side of a vehicle where an air bag is present (27363 (f) CVC).
Department personnel who must transport juveniles in a child passenger restraint system and cannot do so in their assigned patrol unit shall request another patrol unit where child passenger restraint systems can be used (cushioned rear seats, no passenger air bag).
If another patrol unit cannot be located in which it is safe to place a child passenger restraint system, Department personnel shall attempt to locate a vehicle at the station/unit and have station/unit personnel respond with a station/unit solid color sedan (solid sedans have cushioned back seats).
If Department personnel cannot locate a solid color sedan from their assigned station/unit, the station/unit desk shall be notified. Desk personnel shall attempt to locate either a patrol unit suitable for the use of child passenger restraint systems or a Department solid color sedan from another Department station/unit. If a suitable vehicle is located, desk personnel shall contact the other station/unit watch commander and request approval for the use of the vehicle.