July 2024 newsletter

New Officer Handbook 📕

• We are pleased to introduce the new Officer Handbook. This handbook serves as a crucial resource for all Municipal Police officers, offering practical guidance and useful tips for effective patrol duty. It covers a wide range of topics, from patrol preparation and common incidents to report writing and de-escalation techniques. Whether you're new to the force or a veteran officer, this handbook is designed to support you in maintaining our department’s safety and professionalism.

• You can see the handbook attached here.

Patrol Jurisdiction & District Coverage 🗺️

• Throughout the past few weeks, there have been a lot of issues with the district coverage & officers utilizing the district assignments and ensuring all municipalities are being serviced. Officers can see the full policy attached here.

  • This includes:

    • Officers must reference the district assignment tab under the Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) when on patrol and prior to selecting their district of patrol.

    • Police Officers have the discretion to choose any municipality when starting their patrol. However, Police Officers must prioritize servicing municipalities with fewer units.

    • If a supervisor is available, officers can request a municipality assignment, and are encouraged to check in.

    • Patrol Supervisors have the right to request officers to change their municipality at any time.

      • Police Officers may face disciplinary action if they fail to comply with a supervisor’s requests.

• Officers can see the full policy attached here.

Duty to Intervene Policy 🛑

• Effective on June 9, 2024, our Duty to Intervene policy had changes made to include the following additions:

  • Unlawful Police Actions

  • Use of Force Violations

  • Constitutional Rights Violations

  • Municipal Police Code of Ethics Violations

• You can see the policy attached below:
  All officers present and observing another officer using physical force, including deadly force, beyond that which is necessary or objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances, or engaging in any unlawful police actions, constitutional rights violations, violations of the Municipal Police Code of Ethics, are required to intervene to prevent the use of unreasonable force or unlawful conduct unless intervening would result in imminent harm to the officer or another identifiable individual.
  
  Witnessing officers must report such incidents to an appropriate supervisor or file the Municipal Police Complaint Form as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than the end of their shift. A detailed written statement describing the incident must be prepared and included in the supervisor’s report or the Municipal Police Incident Report.

  • • Officers will face disciplinary action if clear and convincing evidence is found that they failed to intervene or attempted to intervene to prevent another officer from engaging in prohibited conduct or behavior. ⚠️ 

Voluntary Encounters and Investigative Detentions 🧍

• Voluntary Encounters - An encounter between a police officer and a civilian, In which a reasonable person would believe, based upon the circumstances of the encounter, that compliance is not mandatory and he or she is free to decline to talk to the officer and is free to leave. (If the officer restrains the freedom to walk away, he has 'seized' that person).

  • Contact with an individual specifically for law enforcement purposes, but there is no reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause to detain or arrest the individual.

  • An officer may approach any stopped vehicle (a vehicle that is stopped by the operator’s own volition prior to law enforcement contact) and attempt to speak to person(s) in the vehicle.

    • This means that at no point can you require them to identify, or stay, because it will turn into an Investigative Detention

    • Furthermore, if you activate your emergency lights or even takedowns, or say "Come here" or "stop!", it is a signal to stop, and therefore is an Investigative Detention.

• Investigative Detention - A temporary seizure of a suspect for the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to make an arrest, further investigation is necessary, or the officer's suspicions were unfounded. 

  • If a reasonable person in the suspect's position would believe he is not free to "decline the officer's" requests or otherwise terminate the encounter, then it is an Investigative Detention.

  • Investigative Detentions are only authorized when an officer has reasonable suspicion that a person is committing or has committed a crime. 

    • Furthermore, someone merely being "suspicious" does not constitute reasonable suspicion unless you have specific articulable facts that you believe they are committing a crime or have committed a crime. (Ex: If a subject is actively pulling on car door handles as they walk down the street, this is enough to stop them under an investigative detention, however, if they are just out standing near a traffic stop that is not enough.)

  • Officers are reminded and encouraged to reference the WorldwideRP Penal Code under Chapter 101, Section 17 for information on Search Warrants.

Emergency Vehicle Operations 🚔

• When operating an emergency vehicle, officers are reminded to always prioritize the safety of everyone involved. Activate all emergency equipment before initiating a traffic stop or pursuit. Exercise reasonable care and avoid driving recklessly. Off-road driving should be limited to SUVs and trucks during emergencies and should be done at safe speeds to maintain control.

Pursuits 🚨

• Primary and Secondary Units: The primary unit initiates or controls the pursuit, while the secondary unit follows at a safe distance as backup.

• Prohibited Actions: Officers may not drive in opposite lanes unless under exigent circumstances for violent/felony pursuits or when maintaining visual contact is essential.

• Speed Limits for Non-Felony Pursuits: Pursuits for non-felony subjects must be terminated if speeds reach 120 mph.

• Use of Force Restrictions: Officers are not authorized to shoot from a patrol vehicle during a pursuit unless there is an active and immediate threat to public safety or officers, and only under clear conditions with minimal traffic.

Bureau of Professional Development:

• • We are pleased to announce the launch of our new reward & ticket system for Field Training Officers (FTOs) and Sergeant Entrance Program (SEP) Staff, who play a crucial role in mentoring and guiding our officers. This initiative aims to recognize and reward the outstanding performance and dedication of these individuals! Field Training Officers will be able to redeem and purchase rewards and perks with the tickets they earn for completing work within the bureau!

    • Check out the rewards & perks in this infographic!

  • Do you want to have a chance at these perks and rewards? Are you interested in mentoring and helping new trainees become fully trained Patrol Officers? Do you like meeting new people and making new friends in the community? Becoming a field training officer sounds like a great opportunity for you!

    • Fill out the short application here!

Bureau of Investigative Services:

• A revamp to our Bureau of Investigative Services is underway, and progress is quickly being made to BIS.

  • Municipal Police Administration congratulates Dylan H. 205 & Hank V. 247 on their promotion to supervisor positions within BIS.

• Gang Unit Documentation has completed Municipal Administration Review and is currently awaiting Community Leadership & Senior Administration review.

• Officers who are interested in following along with occasional updates and seeing changes can join the Fusion Center Discord.

Bureau of Field Services:

• Canine Unit:

  • Municipal Police Administration congratulates Chris L. 18 on his promotion to Canine Division Commander.

  • Applications are open, which can be found here.

• Drone Unit:

  • Applications are open, which can be found here.

Bureau of Transportation:

• San Andreas Bay Transportation Authority:

  • Applications are open, which can be found here.

• Traffic Enforcement Division:

  • Applications are open until the 15th of the month. Eligible officers can apply here!