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GUIDANCE FOR POLICE VEHICLE RECOVERY
This document is Appendix 3 of Cumbria Constabulary’s
Removal, Storage & Disposal of Vehicles Policy
From January 1st 2012 Cumbria Police Vehicle Recovery Operators (VRO’s) will now be requested to attend, diagnose and repair minor vehicle faults such as flat batteries and punctures requiring a wheel change. All force vehicles will be fitted with an identifying sticker within the driver’s door aperture to identify whether or not the vehicle is carrying a spare wheel.
Bulb kits will be provided and located in the vehicle glove box. There is an expectation that vehicle users should be capable of simple bulb replacements without contacting the VRO’s. Note that some vehicles – Volvo’s etc will not fall into this category.
Where repair is not possible, the VRO will recover the vehicle to the required 24/7 staffed location such as a Police Station, VMU or within their own secure premises.
Breakdowns within office hours – within the County
In the event of a vehicle breakdown, the driver must, if possible, position the vehicle where it will not cause either obstruction or danger to other road users.
If the vehicle breakdown occurs within garage working hours then a vehicle defect form must be completed by the vehicle user. Please ensure that the reported fault, including vehicle registration and outcome of the casualty vehicle are included on the defect form and that it is submitted via SharePoint to Fleet Services Department.
The Fleet Services Manager or nominated representative will decide the most cost effective way to recover the vehicle and advise the user of this decision.
Breakdowns out of office hours – within the County
If the vehicle breakdown occurs outside garage working hours then a request to recover the vehicle must be made through the Communications Centre either by radio or mobile telephone.
The driver must remain with the vehicle until the recovery vehicle arrives. A roadside repair will be attempted wherever possible prior to recovery. Where repair is not possible the Constabulary’s vehicle recovery operator will recover the vehicle to an NPT deployment centre or their own secure premises.
All Breakdowns
In all cases of vehicle breakdown, the vehicle defect form must be completed by the vehicle user and submitted via SharePoint to Fleet Services Department as soon as is reasonably practicable and in all cases before the end of the shift or working day during which the breakdown occurred.
Where a vehicle is damaged a vehicle accident form must be completed by the vehicle user and submitted via SharePoint to Fleet Services Department.
Sensitive equipment should be removed from the police vehicle where possible (e.g. ARV firearms & ammunition).
Changing wheels on police vehicles
The Constabulary’s vehicle recovery operator is authorised to change wheels on all Constabulary vehicles that carry a spare wheel to assist with out of hours breakdowns.
Whenever a wheel is changed by the Constabulary’s vehicle recovery operator a vehicle defect form must be completed by the vehicle user requesting that the wheel bolt torque settings need to be re-checked.
The form must be submitted via SharePoint to Fleet Services Department as soon as is reasonably practicable and in all cases before the end of the shift or working day during which the wheel change occurred.
The vehicle user must also check the tyre pressures at their earliest convenience as per the published sticker readings located on the vehicle door aperture.
The VRO will ask the vehicle user to sign a job sheet as an acknowledgement that he or she has been given the relevant advice or guidance and will take the appropriate action.
Under no circumstances must Police Officers or Staff attempt to change wheels on Fleet vehicles.
Breakdowns outside the County
An arrangement exists for Police Vehicle recoveries by Green Flag.
Telephone for recovery is 0800 400 600 and our account number POU57091 must be quoted – (Arranged via HQ Comms).