Skip to main content

Public Safety Policy Manual

SMCCCD Home Public Safety Public Safety Policy Manual Chapter 4 - Patrol Operations

Chapter 4 - Patrol Operations

Policy 400: Patrol Function

400.1   FUNCTION

Officers will generally patrol in clearly marked vehicles, patrol designated areas of District property, respond to calls for assistance, observe and report campus safety during hours of operation. Patrol will generally provide the following services consistent with available resources:

  1. Patrol that is directed at the maintenance of public safety, the maintenance of public order, and the discovery of hazardous situations or conditions
  2. Calls for service, both routine and emergency in nature
  3. Community Oriented activities such as public assists and community member contacts of a positive nature
  4. The application of resources to specific problems or situations within the community

400.2   PATROL INFORMATION SHARING PROCEDURES

The following guidelines are intended to develop and maintain intra-department cooperation and information flow between the various sections of the Department.

400.2.1   PATROL BRIEFINGS

Supervisors and/or officers will be provided an opportunity to share information at Briefings as time permits.

400.3   CROWDS, EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

Officers may encounter gatherings of people, including but not limited to, civil demonstrations, civic, social and business events, public displays, parades and sporting events. Officers should monitor such events as time permits in an effort to keep the peace and protect the safety and rights of those present. A supervisor should be notified when it becomes reasonably foreseeable that such an event may require increased monitoring, contact or intervention. Officers responding to an event or gathering that warrants law enforcement involvement should carefully balance the speech and association rights of those present with applicable public safety concerns before taking enforcement action. Officers are encouraged to contact organizers or responsible persons to seek voluntary compliance that may address relevant public safety/order concerns.

Policy 401: Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity

401.1   PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in handling a major crime or disaster.

401.2   POLICY

It is the policy of the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety to refer the incident to local law enforcement and emergency services as soon as the scene is discovered.

401.3   SCENE RESPONSIBILITY

The first officer at the scene of a crime or major incident is generally responsible for the immediate safety of the public and preservation of the scene. Officers shall also consider officer safety and the safety of those persons entering or exiting the area, including those rendering medical aid to any injured parties. Once an officer has assumed or been assigned to maintain the integrity and security of the crime or disaster scene, the officer shall maintain the crime or disaster scene until he/she is properly relieved by a supervisor or other designated person.

401.4   FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS

The following list generally describes the first responder's function at a crime or disaster scene. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, is not necessarily in order and may be altered according to the demands of each situation:

  1. Broadcast emergency information, including requests for additional assistance and resources. 
  2. Provide for the general safety of those within the immediate area by mitigating, reducing or eliminating threats or dangers. 
  3. Locate or identify suspects and determine whether dangerous suspects are still within the area. 
  4. Provide first aid to injured parties if it can be done safely. 
  5. Evacuate the location safely as required or appropriate. 
  6. Secure the outer perimeter. 
  7. Protect items of apparent evidentiary value.
  8. Identify potential witnesses.

Policy 402: Hazardous Material Response

402.1   PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Hazardous materials present a potential harm to employees resulting from their exposure.

402.1.1   HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DEFINED

A hazardous material is a substance which by its nature, containment and reactivity, has the capability of inflicting harm during exposure; characterized as being toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, an irritant or strong sensitizer and thereby posing a threat to health when improperly managed.

402.2   HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RESPONSE

Employees may encounter situations involving suspected hazardous materials, such as at the scene of a traffic accident, chemical spill, or fire. When employees come into contact with a suspected hazardous material, certain steps should be taken to protect themselves and the public. The following steps should be considered at any scene involving suspected hazardous materials:

  1. Notify District Emergency Management 
  2. Notify Fire Department 
  3. Provide first-aid for injured parties if it can be done safely and without contamination 
  4. Begin evacuation of immediate area and surrounding areas dependent on substance. Voluntary evacuation should be considered; however depending on the substance, mandatory evacuation may be necessary 

402.3   REPORTING EXPOSURE(S)

Department personnel who believe that they have been exposed to a hazardous material shall immediately report the exposure to a supervisor. Each exposure shall be documented by the employee in an employee memorandum that shall be forwarded via chain of command. Should the affected employee be unable to document the exposure for any reason, it shall be the responsibility of the notified supervisor to complete the memorandum.

Injury or illness caused or believed to be caused from exposure to hazardous materials shall be reported the same as any other on-duty injury or illness in addition to an incident report.

402.3.1   SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

When a supervisor has been informed that an employee has been exposed to a hazardous material, s/he shall ensure that immediate medical treatment is obtained and appropriate action is taken to lessen the exposure.

Policy 403 Response to Bomb Calls

403.1   PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assist members of the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety in their initial response to incidents involving explosives, explosive devices, explosion/bombing incidents or threats of such incidents. Under no circumstances should these guidelines be interpreted as compromising the safety of first responders or the public. When confronted with an incident involving explosives, safety should always be the primary consideration.

403.2   POLICY

It is the policy of the San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety to place a higher priority on the safety of persons and the public over damage or destruction to public or private property.

403.3   EXPLOSION/BOMBING INCIDENTS

When an explosion has occurred, there are multitudes of considerations which may confront the responding officers. As in other catastrophic incidents, a rapid response may help to minimize injury to victims, contamination of the scene by gathering crowds, or additional damage by resulting fires or unstable structures. Whether the explosion was the result of an accident or a criminal act, the responding officers should consider the following actions:

  • Assess the scope of the incident, including the number of victims and extent of injuries.
  • Assist with first aid (Fire Department has primary responsibility).
  • Assist with evacuation of victims (Fire Department has primary responsibility).
  • Identify and take appropriate precautions to mitigate scene hazards such as collapsed structures, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials and secondary explosive devices.
  • Request additional resources as needed.
  • Identify witnesses.
  • Preserve evidence.

403.3.1   NOTIFICATIONS

When an explosion has occurred, the following people shall be notified as soon as practicable if their assistance is needed:

  1. Fire Department 
  2. Law Enforcement 
  3. Additional officers
  4. Supervisor

403.3.2   CROWD CONTROL

Only authorized personnel with a legitimate need should be permitted access to the scene. Spectators and other unauthorized individuals should be excluded to a safe distance as is reasonably practicable given the available resources and personnel.

403.3.3   SCENE OF INCIDENT

As in any other crime scene, steps should immediately be taken to preserve the scene. The scene could extend over a long distance. Evidence may be imbedded in nearby structures or hanging in trees and bushes.

403.4   DISTRICT FACILITY OR PROPERTY

When a member of this department receives notification of a bomb threat at a location in the District of San Mateo County Community College District Department of Public Safety, the member receiving the notification should obtain as much information as reasonably possible from the notifying individual, including:

  1. The location of the facility. 
  2. The nature of the threat. 
  3. Whether the type and detonation time of the device is known.
  4. Whether the facility is occupied and, if so, the number of occupants currently on-scene. 
  5. Whether the individual is requesting Department of Public Safety assistance at the facility. 

The member receiving the bomb threat information should ensure that the Supervisor is immediately notified so that he/she can communicate with the person in charge of the threatened facility.

403.5   FOUND DEVICE

When handling an incident involving a suspected explosive device, the following guidelines, while not all inclusive, should be followed:

  1. No suspected explosive item should be considered safe regardless of its size or apparent packaging.
  2. The device should not be touched or moved except by the bomb squad or military explosive ordnance disposal team.
  3. Personnel should not transmit on any equipment that is capable of producing radio frequency energy within the evacuation area around the suspected device. This includes the following:
    1. Two-way radios
    2. Cell phones 
    3. Other personal communication devices
  4. The appropriate bomb squad or military explosive ordnance disposal team should be summoned for assistance.
  5. The largest perimeter reasonably possible should initially be established around the device based upon available personnel and the anticipated danger zone. 
  6. A safe access route should be provided for support personnel and equipment. 
  7. Consider evacuation of buildings and personnel near the device or inside the danger zone and the safest exit route. 
  8. Promptly inform a member of the Command Staff including:
    1. The time of discovery.
    2. The exact location of the device.
    3. A full description of the device (e.g., size, shape, markings, construction).
    4. The anticipated danger zone and perimeter. 
    5. The areas to be evacuated or cleared.

Policy 404: Ride-Along Policy

404.1   PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Ride-Along Program provides an opportunity for citizens to experience the law enforcement function first hand. This policy provides the requirements, approval process, and hours of operation for the Ride-Along Program.

404.1.1   ELIGIBILITY

The San Mateo County Community College District - Department of Public Safety Ride-Along Program is offered to residents, students and those employed within the District. Every attempt will be made to accommodate interested persons however any applicant may be disqualified without cause. The following factors may be considered in disqualifying an applicant and are not limited to:

  • Being under 15 years of age
  • Prior criminal history
  • Pending criminal action
  • Pending lawsuit against the Department
  • Denial by any supervisor

404.1.2   AVAILABILITY

The Ride-Along Program is available on an individual basis as scheduling permits.

404.2   PROCEDURE TO REQUEST A RIDE-ALONG

Generally, ride-along requests will be scheduled by the Command Staff. The Command Staff will schedule a date, based on availability, at least one week after the date of application. If approved, a copy will be forwarded to the respective Supervisor as soon as possible for his/her scheduling considerations. If the ride-along is denied after the request has been made, a representative of the Department will contact the applicant and advise him/her of the denial.

404.2.1   PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Once approved, ride-alongs will be allowed to ride no more than once every six months. An effort will be made to ensure that no more than one person will participate in a ride-along during any given time period.

404.2.2   SUITABLE ATTIRE

The Supervisor may refuse a ride along to anyone not properly dressed.

404.3   OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY

The officer shall advise the dispatcher that a ride-along is present in the vehicle before going into service. Officers shall consider the safety of the ride-along at all times. Officers should use sound discretion when encountering a potentially dangerous situation, and if feasible, let the participant out of the vehicle in a well-lighted place of safety. The dispatcher will be advised of the situation and as soon as practical have another Department of Public Safety unit respond to pick up the participant at that location. The ride-along may be continued or terminated at this time.

404.4   CONTROL OF RIDE-ALONG

The assigned employee shall maintain control over the ride-along at all times and instruct him/her in the conditions that necessarily limit their participation. These instructions should include:

  1. The ride-along will follow the directions of the officer
  2. The ride-along will not become involved in any investigation, handling of evidence, discussions with victims or suspects, or handling any Department of Public Safety equipment
  3. The ride-along may terminate the ride at any time

404.5   RIDE-ALONG WAIVER AND EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK

All observers must be over the age of eighteen years, or having consent of a parent/guardian if under the age of eighteen, and not being an employee of the San Mateo County Community College District (the "District"), have made a voluntary request to ride as a guest in a District vehicle and to accompany an employee or employees of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) during the performance of their duties. Information requested will include a valid ID or California driver's license, address, and telephone number. If the participant is under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must be present to complete the Ride-Along Form.

All observers acknowledge the work of DPS is inherently dangerous and that I may be subject to the risk of death or personal injury, or damage to my property by accompanying public safety officers/s while on duty. I freely, voluntarily and with such knowledge assume the risk of death, personal injury and/or property damage arising from, or in any way connected with the use of vehicles, weapons, unlawful acts of force or forcible resistance by violators of the law or suspected law violators. I also assume the risk of assault, riot, breach of the peace, fire, explosion, gas, electrocution, radioactive substances and every other dangerous situation that may occur in the course of said ride-along.

Observers must acknowledge that the District, all employees of the Department of the District, and each of them, shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, damage, loss or expense, either to me or to my property, while riding in any District vehicle or while accompanying any employee(s) of the District and resulting from any neglect, act or omission on the part of any employee of the District whether within or outside of their scope of employment. I expressly relive as such putative defendants from any duty of care to my person or property and consent to bear the consequences and risks of being a participant in this program.

All observers acknowledge for themselves, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to defend and indemnify the District, all employees of the District, including employees of the Department of Public Safety, and each of them, against any and all manner of actions, cause of actions, suits, debts, claims, demands, or damages or liability of expense of every kind and nature incurred or arising by reason of actual or claimed negligent or wrongful act or omission on my part while riding in any District vehicle or while accompanying any employee of the District.

Ride Along Waiver Form Page 232