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Manual of Policies and Procedures / Cerritos Station's Unit Orders / Cerritos Station Unit Orders / Unit Order 2000

00-004 Hybrid Car Deployment


00-003 Radio Car Deployment Maintenance Fueling
00-005 Reports

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

STATION ORDER

Cerritos Station

 

STATION ORDER NUMBER:  00-004                                             

Subject:  Hybrid Car Deployment

Effective Date:

06/13/2000

Last Date Revised:

 

Last Date Reviewed:

03/10/2020

Next Review Date:

03/10/2021

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this order is to establish the policies and procedures governing the deployment of the “hybrid” radio cars assigned to Cerritos Station.

SCOPE OF ORDER:

The term “hybrid” radio car refers to a Sheriff’s field unit that displays the standard black & white paint scheme with all reflective insignias, but is not equipped with an overhead emergency light bar.  The emergency red light on a “hybrid” field unit is displayed through the vehicle’s front windshield and front grill.  Other emergency warning lights are mounted on the vehicle’s rear seat deck and incorporated within the vehicle’s existing lighting systems.  Hybrid field units are special purpose vehicles and are not to be placed in-service as a regular dispatchable field unit. 

ORDER:

The city of Cerritos has purchased three new “hybrid” radio cars for exclusive use by the Cerritos Special Assignment Officers.  The “hybrid” radio cars are not intended to augment the regular field fleet and will not be placed in service as a regular dispatchable field unit.  The “hybrid” vehicles shall only be deployed for directed patrol activities, special events, or other city functions as authorized by the Watch Commander.  Personnel must have the approval of the on duty Cerritos Watch Commander prior to utilizing a “hybrid” vehicle.

Drivers operating a “hybrid” radio car shall adhere to the Department’s Pursuit policy, which is delineated in M.P.P. section 5-09/210.02.   It is imperative for personnel operating a “hybrid” unit in a Code 3 mode to acknowledge that some motorist’s visibility is lost due to the configuration of the emergency lighting.  For this reason initiating a pursuit is generally prohibited.  While some incidents may be justifiable, personnel should carefully weigh all options before entering, or initiating a pursuit.  Supervisors should exercise prudent judgement in allowing “hybrid” units to become involved in pursuit actions (Deputies in hybrid units must broadcast the six (6) points to all pursuits).

This type of radio car shall follow the same pursuit guidelines for Department motorcycles and unmarked units (M.P.P. section 5-09/210.02).   Should deputy personnel initiate, they must relinquish the pursuit to the first Sheriff’s black & white radio car to arrive on scene that is equipped with a roof mounted emergency light bar.  “Hybrid” units may participate as a secondary unit only after receiving approval from a supervisor.