DELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief William E. Ridgway
Departmental Standards Directive
TITLE: Mobile Data Computers / Department Computers
CODIFIED:
CFA STD:
5.13
34.12 & 34.13
DATE OF ISSUE:
08/01/2011
EFFECTIVE DATE:
08/01/2011
RESCINDS /
AMENDS:
08/01/2008
PAGES:
4
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Directive is to provide Department members with guidelines for the use and
security of the Mobile Data Computers (M.D.C.) and all Department computers.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the DeLand Police Department to use the Mobile Data computers
(M.D.C.) and Departmental computers in combination with sound professional judgment and the
procedures outlined within this policy.
Due to the ever-increasing need for rapid access to information, it is the policy of this Department
to utilize Mobile Data Computers and Departmental computers in order to provide officers with
the quickest means to obtain necessary information. It is also the policy of this Department to
regulate the use of the Mobile Data Computers and Departmental computers in order to promote
officer safety, maintain records security, and records confidentiality.
DEFINITIONS
D.A.V.I.D (DRIVER AND VEHICLE INFORMATION DATABASE) – A state based
computer system that contains information on persons with a Florida Driver’s License or
Identification Card. This information includes names, addresses, social security numbers,
insurance information, vehicle registrant etc.
DEPARTMENTAL COMPUTER – All computers owned by the DeLand Police Department
and the City of DeLand.
FLORIDA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER (FCIC) - A computer system which links
local, county, and state police organizations (including the FBI) that gives a state-wide wants
check.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (FDLE) - The state agency
responsible for the regulation of law enforcement services within the state.
MEMBER - Any sworn or non-sworn employee of the DeLand Police Department.
MOBILE DATA COMPUTER (M.D.C.) - A laptop computer designed to be used by members
as a transceiver of data with a main server or another mobile data computer.
NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER (NCIC) - A national computer system
located in Washington D.C. that gives a nationwide wants check.
SOFTWARE – Electronic instructions and programs that tell the computer what operations to
perform.
HARDWARE – Any mechanical, magnetic, electronic or electrical component or device in
relation to computer systems.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) - a satellite navigation system used for determining
a precise location and accurate time reference for a specific object.
PROCEDURES
5.13.1 - Mobile data computers and departmental computers shall be used only for official
departmental business and under the guidelines of this written policy. This includes
electronic mail and all approved programs on any City owned computer.
5.13.2 - The mobile data computer shall be mounted outside of the airbag zone of a vehicle to
prevent injury to the officer if the airbag was to deploy. For this reason, it is critical that
the mount not be adjusted or modified without the approval of the Chief of Police.
5.13.3 - At no time is the mobile data computer to be used while the vehicle is in motion. When
the vehicle is in motion, the mobile data computer screen will be in the closed, secured
position.
5.13.4 - The use of vehicle to vehicle messaging must be restricted to official business. Use of
vehicle to vehicle messaging may be closely monitored by supervisors who will take
appropriate disciplinary actions to curtail inappropriate, excessive or offensive
transmissions. Members shall keep in mind that vehicle to vehicle messages are
considered public record under F.S.S. 119.
5.13.5 – Members, other than those approved by the Chief of Police, are prohibited from using
the mobile data computers and departmental computers for accessing internet based web
sites that are sexual in nature, contain inflammatory terms, profanity, sexual comments
or innuendo, derogatory racial terms or any other sites that could be considered
unprofessional, inappropriate or offensive.
5.13.6 - No unauthorized documents, downloads, program files, pictures, audio or video files
shall be transmitted, received, stored or used on the mobile data computers or
departmental computers. No unauthorized hardware shall be connected or attached to
any mobile data computer or departmental computer.
5.13.7 - No documents, program files, pictures, audio, or video files shall be transmitted to nonlaw enforcement personnel.
5.13.8 - FCIC/NCIC checks for warrants, vehicle registrations, and driver’s licenses may be
performed using the mobile data computers and departmental computers.
5.13.9 - No personal information of any DeLand Police Department member shall appear on any
mobile data computers or departmental computers transmissions without the member’s
expressed consent.
5.13.10 - Any damage to any computers or any non-working computers shall be reported
immediately to a shift supervisor and turned in for repair.
5.13.11– Members operating a vehicle equipped with a GPS unit connected to its mobile data
computer shall be responsible for reporting any damage or malfunctions with the GPS
unit immediately to their supervisor.
5.13.12– At no time shall a member unplug, attempt to disable or intentionally hinder the
intended proper function of a GPS unit.
SECURITY
5.13.13 - Each member must complete a DeLand Police Department approved, basic FCIC/NCIC
and D.A.V.I.D. course before being authorized to use any departmental computers.
5.13.14 - Each member authorized to use the mobile data computer is issued a personal
identification certificate from F.D.L.E. Members requesting information shall use their
personal identification. Gaining information under another person’s certificate is
obtaining unauthorized access to computer resources and is punishable under chapter
814 Florida State Statutes.
5.13.15 - Authorized members should not leave the mobile data computer or any other
departmental computer unattended with an active FCIC/NCIC program or D.A.V.I.D
program running. Due to security considerations any known or suspected use of a
mobile data computer or departmental computer by an unauthorized person shall be
reported immediately to a shift supervisor.
5.13.16 - No member shall attempt to introduce any unauthorized new software to a mobile data
computer or alter its existing software. This includes any programs or data that can be
downloaded from the Internet.
RIGHTS TO PRIVACY
5.13.17 - Any FCIC, NCIC or D.A.V.I.D. information received from a mobile data computer is
considered confidential and not to be divulged to any non-law enforcement personnel.
5.13.18 - No member has any expectation of privacy for any type of communications or uses of
the mobile data computers or departmental computers.
5.13.19 - All electronic communications by law enforcement agencies are considered public
record. The DeLand Police Department reserves the right to monitor, inspect, and
review any use of the mobile data computers and departmental computers, at any time,
at the Department’s discretion.
Drafted: JFA - 08 / 2008
Revised: JFA – 08 / 2011