Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A.
All personnel will properly care for and use any state vehicles issued for
their use and will also be acquainted with, and will follow established
procedures dealing with the proper operation and care of automobiles.
B. The vehicle and all equipment will be kept
orderly, accessible and clean.
C.
All department vehicles will be used strictly for official business, except as
specified in Paragraph (2) of Subsection C of 10.5.400.8 NMAC below.
(1) Permission must be obtained from the
district/bureau commander in each instance in which unauthorized,
non-departmental or non-police personnel are riding in police cars.
(a) This applies to both marked and unmarked
units.
(b) Authorized personnel
include those who are in contact with department personnel and must ride in the
vehicles due to the nature of the department business.
(2) Employees while on official business who
are away from their assigned duty station for a 24 hour minimum period may use
the department vehicle for personal purposes on a reasonable basis during
off-duty hours. Consumption of alcohol to any degree in conjunction with use of
departmental vehicle is prohibited.
(3) Vehicles will not be transported across
international borders without permission from the district/section commander
unless the officer is a captain in which case he must secure permission from
his immediate supervisor. Those at rank above captain may use own
discretion.
D. When
vehicles are being used, the employee will maintain a legal speed. When
required to exceed the speed limit, the officer will assure that the emergency
lights and siren are on unless the existing circumstances would make this
procedure inadvisable.
E. When any
major or minor repairs are necessary, every effort will be made to have the
repairs completed at the headquarters garage (for headquarters, district 1 and
district 7 personnel) or district garage (for district personnel) or nearest
state police garage. When it is necessary to complete repairs through a private
garage as determined by an employee's immediate supervisor, an itemized invoice
properly signed by the employee will be mailed to the financial banagement
bureau at headquarters by the vendor at the end of the month.
(1) Supervisors may authorize repairs under
$150.00 and only fleet management may authorize repairs costing over
$150.00.
(2) All supervisors must
be familiar with warranty provisions of the vehicle being repaired.
F. Equipment that is not state
property may be affixed to departmental vehicles but only upon written
authority of the chief. The equipment will be attached to the vehicle in such a
manner so as not to leave damage to the vehicle upon removal of the
equipment.
G. All departmental
vehicles shall be equipped with the following items at all times:
(1) flashlight, axe, shovel, first aid kit,
flares, jack, fuses and fire extinguisher;
(2) the fire extinguisher must be refilled
within a reasonable time after each use and first aid kit kept complete at all
times;
(3) the above items are
optional with vehicles assigned to C.I.D. except for fire
extinguisher.
H.
Specific equipment in addition to those listed above are assigned to certain
employees. The following lists some of that equipment and identifies the
disposition of the equipment when certain instances arise.
(1) The operation of the radio must adhere to
departmental procedures as well as federal communication commission (FCC) rules
and regulations with those vehicles which are equipped with mobile radio
equipment.
(2) The employee who is
responsible for the vehicle equipped with a mobile radio, must assure that the
trunk of the vehicle is kept clean and that other equipment is not on top of
the radio set.
(3) The radio
communications bureau of GSD is responsible for the proper maintenance and
periodic inspections of all mobile and fixed radio equipment.
(4) All officers operating citizens band
radios in state police vehicles must properly care for and maintain these
radios and use according to FCC rules and regulations. Approval for
installation must be secured from the chief if Subsection G of 10.5.400.8 NMAC
applies.
I. Tactical,
diving and explosive ordnance teams are issued equipment relative to the
functions of those teams. The commander of each team is responsible for
assuring proper maintenance and storage of equipment issued.
J. The baton is a defensive weapon that will
be used at the discretion of the officer and method of use according to
instruction received.
K. All broken
or damaged equipment will be delivered or shipped to the general services
bureau at headquarters.
L. When any
employee loses any state equipment through either misplacement or theft that
employee may be required to reimburse the department as determined in the
following and must immediately report the loss to the office of the chief.
(1) The office of professional standards and
internal affairs may conduct an investigation into all instances of reported
lost or stolen property. If the employee is scheduled for release from
employment, the investigation will be conducted by the last day of the
employee's employment.
(2) If the
loss is determined to have been a result of negligence on the part of the
employee, the employee will reimburse the department at the replacement cost.
(a) If the employee is still employed with
the department the employee must make reimbursement within 60 days after the
employee has been notified of the determination of negligence.
(b) If the employee is scheduled for
retirement or has resigned or has been terminated, the employee must make
immediate reimbursement.
(3) If the property is subsequently recovered
at any time, and the employee was required to make reimbursement, the
employee's payment may be returned. The amount of reimbursement to the employee
will be determined by the extent of damage, if any, and the operable condition
of the equipment.
