Operating an emergency vehicle under Code 3 conditions in a congested metropolitan area is an extremely dangerous undertaking, which is not to be engaged in by personnel of the Transportation Bureau, unless previously authorized by the Watch Commander through Sheriff's Communication Center.
Vehicles assigned to this Bureau shall be considered as "passenger transporting" vehicles rather than emergency vehicles. Deputies shall not initiate a Code 3 operation via Sheriff's Communication Center unless a life threatening incident occurs involving the passengers on the vehicle.
Pursuit of traffic law violators does not justify Code 3 operation of transportation vehicles. Bureau Deputies shall respond to request for assistance calls only when there are no inmates aboard the vehicle and authorization has been obtained from the Transportation Bureau Watch Commander through Sheriff's Communication Center.
Any Code 3 operation must be within the restrictions imposed by the Basic Speed Law and Department policies.