SNOW HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS DIRECTIVE Speed Measuring Equipment Distribution: All Sworn Index: OPS 03.11 Issued: 03/01/2017 Revised: 03/28/2017 Reviewed: N/A Next Review: 03/01/2018.01 Purpose To provide officers guidance when conducting traffic enforcement using speed measuring equipment..02 Policy Officers will operate speed-measuring devices in accordance with this directive..03 Definitions LIDAR (LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING): a device used to measure the speed of a moving vehicle by transmitting a beam of infrared light at an object and calculating the amount of time it takes the reflected light to return to the unit. RADAR (RADIO DETECTION AND RANGING): a device used to measure the speed of a moving object by detecting a change in radio frequencies caused by the Doppler effect, whereby the frequency of the returned radio signal is increased in proportion to the object s speed of approach if the object is approaching, and lowered if the object is receding..04 Procedures A. Speed Enforcement Strategies 1. The role of the officer is to enhance safety through the proper use of accurate speed measuring methods and devices. 2. Officer safety and the safety of the public will be the primary consideration at all times when speed enforcement operations are conducted. 3. Speed measuring devices should generally be used for enforcement in areas where: a. a high rate of traffic collisions are attributable to speed; b. speed limit violations and aggressive driving are prevalent; and/or c. a large number of citizen complaints concerning speed or aggressive driving are prevalent. B. Responsibilities 1. C o m m a n d e r s will: a. have overall responsibility for the use and maintenance of the D e p a r t m e n t s speed enforcement program; b. appoint a RADAR and LIDAR-certified officer as the D e p a r t m e n t s RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. 2. RADAR/LIDAR Supervisors will be responsible for: a. care, upkeep, and accountability of all speed measuring equipment;
b. programmed maintenance, testing and calibration of all speed-measuring equipment; c. submission of required reports; d. supervision of all speed enforcement activities; e. maintaining all records in a manner suitable for introduction as evidence into court; and 3. S upervisors will be responsible for monitoring the use of speed-measuring equipment by officers assigned to them and reporting concerns to the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. C. Request for Training & Certification 1. Officers must: a. complete patrolling alone for a minimum of one year after being released from field training prior to attending RADAR/LIDAR training. b. have completed a total of one year of patrolling alone if previously employed as a sworn police officer. 2.When a class becomes available, officers who wish to become a RADAR/LIDAR operator will submit a request via email to their immediate supervisor for approval. 3. Supervisors will: a. recommend approval or disapproval of the request based on the officer s performance and demonstrated abilities; and b. forward the recommendation to his Commander for final approval or denial. 4. The Commander will promptly forward his final decision to the officer so that he may register for the class if approved. D. Approved Training Courses 1. Officers approved for training will attend a course of instruction approved b y the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC). 2. Officers who do not complete any required hands-on training within 60 days will not receive final certification and will be required to re-take the classroom training. E. Suspension or Revocation of Certifications 1. Any time an officer demonstrates unsatisfactory performance or knowledge in the operation of a speed-measuring device, to include mishandling of equipment, it will immediately be brought to the attention of the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. 2. Suspension or Revocation of Privileges a. The RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor will determine the best course of action including: (1) suspension of the officer s certification pending re-training; or (2) revocation of the officer s certification. b. The RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor will submit a recommended course of action to the commander who will make the final determination based on the recommendation. c. Suspension or revocation of privileges are not considered punitive and will remain in effect pending the outcome of any administrative investigation. d. An officer whose privileges have been suspended pending retraining will surrender his card to the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor until the has satisfactorily completed retraining. 2 of 5
e. An officer whose privileges have been revoked will relinquish their certification card to the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor who will forward the card to the commander. G. Reinstatement of RADAR/LIDAR Privileges 1. Officers whose certification was suspended, revoked or became inactive may have an opportunity to have their privileges reinstated. 2. Officers whose certification has been inactive or expired for one year or less may have their certifications reinstated. 3. Officers whose certification has been inactive or expired for longer than one year will demonstrate hands-on proficiency to the unit RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. 4. The RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor will complete a Form 19, and forward it to the commander who will prepare the issuance of a new card. I. RADAR/LIDAR Equipment 1. Specifications a. The SHPD authorizes the use of stationary and moving Doppler radar operating on the X, K, and KA bands as well as handheld LIDAR devices. b. All units must be equipped with software designed to perform a self-test including verification of crystal accuracy. c. Each unit must provide a minimum range of one mile on a straight, open, two-lane roadway with an average size vehicle and display the target speed on an LCD display. d. Each RADAR unit will have a minimum of two tuning forks, provided by the manufacturer, for field-testing the units by the operator. 2. Testing and Evaluation of RADAR Units a. Officers will ensure the accuracy and integrity of both the speed measuring equipment and the method of operation of such equipment at all times. b. Equipment will be tested before and after operation using both internal calibration checks and, if equipped, tuning forks or other equipment provided for calibration. c. Should the device fail any test, it will be deemed inoperable and will not be used for enforcement function. d. Any devices provided to officers for evaluation and testing purposes will not be used for any type of enforcement function. 3. Testing and Evaluation of LIDAR Equipment a. All LIDAR equipment will be tested before and after each operation by completing the following tests: (1) Self Test (built-in). (2) Display Test. (3) Scope Alignment Test. b. Calibration Test (1) The calibration test will be conducted on a certified, measured course located at an MSP installation or other certified location. (2) The courses are measured by the State Highway Administration and witnessed by the unit RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. 3 of 5
4. RADAR/LIDAR Use J. Care and Upkeep OPS 03.11 (3) Certification documents are retained in OPS 40-1. a. Officers will operate the equipment only in accordance with their training, knowledge and experience. b. Officers who do not possess the training or current certification will not operate any type of speed measuring device for enforcement purposes. c. The SHPD operates numerous types of RADAR and LIDAR units; officers will only operate those units for which they have received training and are familiar with its calibration and operation. d. Permanent devices will be installed according to the manufacturer s recommendation by designated personnel and will not be used in handheld mode at any time. e. Officers will only use the equipment and accessories supplied by the Department. f. Speed measuring devices will not be used outside a vehicle during inclement weather. g. Officers will not attempt to use any type of handheld RADAR or LIDAR unit while their vehicle is in motion. 1. Do not subject speed measuring devices to extremes of temperature, humidity or vibration. 2. While operating the equipment, operators must ensure that the units are not exposed to liquids. 3. RADAR and LIDAR units will be stored in their original carrying case when not mounted in the vehicle or being actively used. 4. Damaged or inoperative units will be immediately taken out of service and the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor notified. K. Calibration or Repairs L. Records 1. All units that require repair or calibration will be delivered to the RADAR/LIDAR supervisor who will ensure equipment is sent and returned for service. 2. All SHPD RADAR units must be calibrated annually. 3. T h e RADAR/LIDAR supervisor is responsible for scheduling RADAR/LIDAR units for calibration or repair with the appropriate vendor. 1. Form 19, Certification of RADAR Operator a. The Form 19 serves as a record of training and is used for both initial certification and re-certification every 36 months. b. The form is completed by the RADAR/LIDAR supervisor and endorsed by the commander. c. The original copy is retained in the officer s auxiliary personnel file and a copy is forwarded to the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor. 2. Form 20, Equipment Sign-Out Log a. The Form 20 will be placed in a conspicuous location and used each time a RADAR/LIDAR unit is removed or returned. 4 of 5
b. Due to the limited number of devices, equipment that is not permanently mounted in a vehicle will be returned by the end of the officer s shift. c. Officers who transfer equipment at a location other than the Department will ensure the Form 20 is updated immediately upon returning to the Department. d. The Form 20 will be retained by the RADAR/LIDAR Supervisor in the OPS 40 file. 3. Form 34-1, RADAR Speed Calibration Record a. The Form 34-1 is completed when a RADAR unit calibrated. b. Upon completion, the calibrating technician will enclose with the RADAR unit two copies of the Form 34-1 stamped with the date the unit is due for calibration. M. Speedometer Calibration Checks 1. Requirements a. Commanders will ensure that all vehicles employed in speed enforcement have the calibration on their speedometers checked annually, at a minimum, for accuracy. b. Initial calibration checks should be completed as soon as practical after taking delivery of a vehicle or when modifications to the vehicle have been completed that may affect the accuracy of the speedometer. 2. Completing Calibration Checks a. Calibration checks will be accomplished using a RADAR or LIDAR device being operated by a certified RADAR/LIDAR operator. b. Vehicles should be checked on straight roadways with a clear line of sight at times where traffic volume is at a minimum. c. Officers will not conduct calibration checks during inclement weather. d. Officers will verify accuracy at 35, 55 and 75 miles per hour. 3. Documenting Checks a. Results of the calibration checks will be recorded by the RADAR/LIDAR operator on a Form 121, Speedometer Record Card. b. Should the calibration check reveal a significant error in the vehicle s calibration, the vehicle operator will complete a Form 118, Motor vehicle Maintenance/Repair, notify his supervisor and the director of Public Works to schedule repairs. Approved: Thomas G. Davis Chief 03/01/2017 5 of 5