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E.P.P. 020 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 20 SUBJECT: ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 12, 2000 REVISED: FEBRUARY 1, 2022 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 1 of 6 I. PURPOSE: It is the purpose of this directive to describe the circumstances warranting the use of roadway restrictions and the procedures for their implementation. Note: specific guidelines for the operation of sobriety check points are part of the Enforcement Policy and Procedure "D.U.I. Countermeasures Program." Furthermore, specific guidelines for tactical vehicle positioning are part of the Enforcement Policy and Procedure “Motor Vehicle Apprehension”. II. SCOPE: Employees are cautioned in regard to the inherent danger of implementing roadway restrictions. The policy of the Police Department is that roadway restrictions may only be used after lesser means of traffic control have failed or there are no other means in which to execute a law enforcement function. III. GENERAL: A. Roadway restrictions shall not be used when the hazards or risks to the public would be greater than if the roadway restrictions were not used. B. Roadway restrictions shall be immediately discontinued upon accomplishing the established goal. C. An officer(s) manning a roadway restriction will be in uniform attire to assure motorists that the event is a legitimate and official law enforcement operation. IV. NON-EMERGENCY ROADWAY RESTRICTIONS: A. Non-emergency roadway restrictions may be established for the purpose of interdicting unlicensed drivers and vehicles, containing or isolating a crime scene for a lengthy period of time, providing security at known civil demonstrations, and ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 2 of 6 for other purposes. B. Non-emergency roadway restrictions will not be conducted without the prior approval of the chief of police or his / her designee. C. A written justification shall be presented to the chief of police or his/her designee for review and approval. 1. Said justification should include an explanation of why a roadway restriction is requested and any available statistical summaries that support the request; 2. Said justification should also include an explanation of how the roadway restriction will be a more effective alternative in solving the problem than other means; and, 3. The name of the supervisor who will be the designated commander of the operation. D. The supervisor in charge of the operation shall organize available personnel and equipment to provide for: 1. The safety of the public and Police Department personnel; 2. The placement and use of safety equipment; 3. Transportation of any arrested persons; 4. The towing of vehicles; and, 5. The collection of evidence. E. All personnel assigned to the roadway restriction will be briefed beforehand by the supervisor in charge of the operation. Said briefing shall include: 1. The purpose of the roadway restriction; 2. Safety precautions to be implemented, including equipment to be utilized; 3. Any specific duty assignments of personnel; and, 4. The planned vehicle stop sequence (if any). ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 3 of 6 F. The chief of police may direct the Public Information Officer to provide notice of an impending roadway restriction operation to the public as a warning. Advance notice does not have to specify the location intended to be used. G. Personnel with appropriate safety equipment shall be assembled and ready for deployment prior to activating a roadway restriction. An equipment availability list for roadway restrictions should include: 1. Marked patrol vehicles with emergency lighting systems; 2. Flashlights; 3. Portable radios; 4. Any necessary reports or other required documentation; 5. Traffic safety vests; 6. Portable lighting (if necessary); 7. Flares; 8. Portable traffic signs (if necessary): a. "Merge"; b. "Reduce Speed Ahead"; and, c. "Prepare To Stop". 9. Safety cones/barricades as needed; and, 10. The Emergency Traffic Operations Trailer may be requested from the Longwood Department of Public Works or the Seminole County Department of Traffic Engineers to supplement Police Department operations. H. If portable traffic signs are used, they should be positioned near the driver's eye level and reflective in design. I. In establishing roadway restrictions, flares, patrol vehicles, cones, barricades, etc. should be positioned in such a manner that clearly prohibits or indicates the pathway vehicles are to take. Caution should be exercised when positioning safety equipment in order to avoid accidental contact with vehicles. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 4 of 6 J. Reflective traffic safety vests will be worn by personnel when conducting roadway restrictions. K. An officer creating a roadway restriction will make his/her patrol vehicle as visible as possible. A marked patrol vehicle should be positioned in such a way that the emergency lighting system can be easily seen. L. To ensure for the safety of motorists and Police Department personnel, if vehicles are to be detoured or stopped at the roadway restriction, they should be directed into a single lane of traffic or allowed ample room to turn around. M. If necessary, an area of sufficient size to allow for "off street" follow-up investigation should be established in the immediate vicinity of the roadway restriction. Permission shall be obtained from the owner of any private property if used for the purpose of a follow up investigation initiated at the operation. Public right-of-way should be used if there is no threat to public safety. N. Contact with Motorist: 1. If a vehicle is to be stopped for the purpose of conducting an investigation, the officer making contact with a vehicle operator will explain the purpose of the stop and request the driver's license and registration. The officer should answer any questions the driver may have. 2. The contacting officer will determine if reasonable suspicion exists for further investigation or if probable cause exists for an arrest. A decision to investigate further should be made on facts and circumstances present that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the vehicle and/or driver or passengers were involved in criminal activity or civil infraction(s) that violate the law. A flashlight or other illuminating device may be used to illuminate the interior of a vehicle to determine the condition of the driver and observe the behavior of the passengers for the officer’s safety. 3. The officer making the initial contact shall remain with the vehicle during any follow-up investigation and will document any criminal activity resulting from that investigation. 4. If the follow-up investigation determines that the officer’s reasonable suspicion warranting the follow-up investigation is not substantial enough for detention, the driver will be permitted to leave. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 5 of 6 O. Motorist Avoiding a Roadway Restrictions: 1. It is not illegal for a motorist to avoid roadway restrictions. A motorist who wishes to avoid roadway restrictions, by legally turning before entering the restriction should be allowed to do so, unless a traffic violation is observed or probable cause exists to take further action. 2. With the permission of the supervisor in charge, a motorist may be followed and stopped when suspicious or erratic driving behavior is present. 3. If a driver commits a violation, the vehicle may be stopped as a routine traffic contact. P. Supervision of the Roadway Restrictions: A supervisor will be present at roadway restrictions at all times and is responsible for: 1. Directing the roadway restriction operation; 2. Ensuring that the Police Department policy is followed; 3. Ensuring that operations flow smoothly and drivers are detained for a minimal amount of time; 4. Monitoring traffic flow and deciding if conditions require a change in the number (sequence) of vehicles stopped or if the roadway restriction needs to be terminated; and, 5. Ensuring that a sufficient number of personnel are present to adequately handle safety functions. V. EMERGENCY ROADWAY RESTRICTIONS: A. Emergency roadway restrictions may be established for the purpose of detouring motorists around roadway obstructions or damage, routing a fleeing felon away from densely populated areas, or to contain or isolate a crime scene or civil disorder. B. The use of stationary and moving/mobile roadway restrictions are prohibited for apprehending a fleeing felon who is using a moving vehicle. This does not preclude the use of tactical vehicle positioning procedures as outlined in EPP-3. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ROADWAY RESTRICTION POLICY EPP – 20 Page 6 of 6 C. Prior to establishing a roadway restriction, approval from a supervisor shall be obtained. A supervisor will be present, or shall respond to the location of the roadway restriction when it has been requested. If the roadway restriction is used to deter a fleeing felon or to block off a roadway for a lengthy period of time, the responding supervisor will notify patrol lieutenant. D. The Telecommunications Section will be advised when a roadway restriction is initiated, including the exact location, the units involved, and the time of the roadway restriction's termination. E. Reflective traffic safety vests will be worn by personnel when conducting a roadway restriction. F. An officer creating a roadway restriction will make his/her patrol vehicle as visible as possible. A marked patrol vehicle should be positioned in such a way that the emergency lighting system can be easily seen. G. To ensure for the safety of motorists and police department personnel, if vehicles are to be detoured or stopped at the roadway restriction, they should be directed into a single lane of traffic or allowed ample room to turn around. H. Assist units should be assigned as necessary.