Transportation/Driver Training

Performance Outcome 8.1.

Operate agency vehicle on various road surfaces and conditions.

Training Objective Related to 8.1.

1. Given a written exercise, identify factors to consider related to the operation of a vehicle, if assigned by agency.

2. Given a practical exercise, identify or demonstrate methods of control of a vehicle while driving on dry, wet, icy, or snow covered pavement; dirt or loose gravel road; or skidpan, if assigned by agency.

3. Demonstrate the techniques for recovery from off road at various speeds during a written or practical exercise, if assigned by agency.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

Given a written exercise:

8.1.1. Identify the three components of defensive driving and their effect on vehicle accidents:

8.1.1.1. Driver

8.1.1.2. Vehicle

8.1.1.3. Environment

8.1.2. Identify the five steps of defensive driving:

8.1.2.1. Scan

8.1.2.2. Identify

8.1.2.3. Predict

8.1.2.4. Decide

8.1.2.5. Execute

8.1.3. Identify driving movements that most frequently contribute to vehicle accidents.

8.1.4. Identify the importance of seat belts, air bags, and other vehicle safety devices.

8.1.5. Identify the different characteristics of low light driving to daytime driving and how the human eye is affected.

8.1.6. Identify factors that influence the overall stopping distance of a vehicle.

8.1.7. Identify the effect speed has on observation and perception during transport.

8.1.8. Identify causes and steps to correct skids.

8.1.9. Identify liability issues related to operating a transport vehicle.

8.1.10. Identify the Code of Virginia requirements related to using emergency equipment (lights and siren).

8.1.11. Identify the requirement of vehicle operators to obey all traffic laws.

8.1.12. Identify the time limits for vehicle operators (number of hours permitted to drive within a 24 hour period). (Code of Virginia §46.2-812).

Given a practical exercise:

8.1.13. Demonstrate a physical and visual inspection of an agency vehicle.

8.1.14. Demonstrate the proper usage of a safety belt in the operation of an agency vehicle.

8.1.15. Demonstrate the proper techniques of acceptable steering methods for an agency vehicle:

8.1.15.1. Hand position on the steering wheel

8.1.15.2. Shuffle steering

8.1.16. Demonstrate the proper techniques in braking (with or without ABS) a transport vehicle:

8.1.16.1. Heat/cool

8.1.16.2. Threshold

8.1.16.3. Anti-lock braking systems

8.1.17. Demonstrate the proper techniques in backing a transport vehicle.

8.1.18. Demonstrate control a transport vehicle using acceptable techniques in the following vehicle movements:

8.1.18.1. Parking

8.1.18.2. “Y” turn

8.1.18.3. Backing

8.1.19. Operate an agency vehicle in night conditions.

8.1.20. Skid control techniques.

8.1.21. Braking control techniques.

8.1.22. Steering control techniques.

8.1.23. The techniques in correct order for recovery for two wheels off road to four wheels on road.

8.1.24. The techniques for four wheels off road to four wheels on road.

8.1.25. The areas of reduced traction.

NOTE: Academy supplied van or agency supplied transport vehicle shall be used for practical demonstrations.

NOTE: This standard is “if assigned by agency”, i.e., a trainee shall be trained under this standard if his/her employer is assigning him/her to drive the agency vehicle. Anyone assigned to drive the agency vehicle must complete a driver training program that meets this standard, however, this may not be necessary during basic academy.

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. The components of a physical and visual inspection of an agency vehicle.

2. The three components of defensive driving and their effect on transport vehicle accidents:

a. Driver

b. Vehicle

c. Environment

3. The five steps of defensive driving:

a. Scan

b. Identify

c. Predict

d. Decide

e. Execute

4. Driving movements that most frequently contribute to vehicle accidents.

5. The importance of seat belts, air bags, and other vehicle safety devices.

6. The different characteristics of low light driving to daytime driving and how the human eye is affected.

7. Factors that influence the overall stopping distance of a vehicle.

8. The effect speed on observation and perception during transport.

9. Causes and steps to correct skids.

10. Liability issues related to operating a transport vehicle.

11. Identify the Code of Virginia requirements related to using emergency equipment (lights and siren).

12. Identify the requirement of transport vehicle operators to obey all traffic laws.

13. Identify the time limits for transport vehicle operators (number of hours permitted to drive within a 24 hour period).

Practical:

14. Demonstration of a physical and visual inspection of a transport vehicle.

15. Demonstration of the proper usage of a safety belt in the operation of a transport vehicle.

16. Demonstration of the proper techniques of acceptable steering methods:

a. Hand position on the steering wheel

b. Shuffle steering

17. Demonstration of proper techniques in braking (with/without ABS) a transport vehicle:

a. Heat/cool

b. Threshold

c. Anti-lock braking systems

18. Demonstration of the proper techniques in backing a transport vehicle.

19. Demonstration of the control of a transport vehicle using acceptable techniques in the following vehicle movements:

a. Parking

b. “Y” turn

c. Backing

20. Operation of a transport vehicle in night conditions.

21. Skid control techniques.

22. Braking control techniques.

23. Steering control techniques.

24. The techniques in correct order for recovery for two wheels off road to four wheels on road.

25. The techniques for four wheels off road to four wheels on road.

26. The areas of reduced traction.

NOTE: This standard is “if assigned by agency”, i.e., a trainee shall be trained under this standard if his/her employer is assigning him/her to drive the agency vehicle. Anyone assigned to drive the agency vehicle must complete a driver training program that meets this standard, however, this may not be necessary during basic academy.

Performance Outcome 8.2.

Transport person(s) to various locations.

Training Objective Related to 8.2.

1. Given a written or practical exercise, identify the steps involved in transporting person(s) in custody to various locations.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.2.1. Use proper escort techniques during movement by foot and vehicle from place to place for person(s) in custody:

8.2.1.1. Secure subject with multiple restraints (handcuffs, leg irons, waist belt or chain).

8.2.1.2. Ensure subject has been properly searched.

8.2.1.3. Allow reaction space if possible.

8.2.1.4. Check security of transport vehicle before and after transport entire interior.

8.2.1.5. Vehicle with cage:

8.2.1.5.1. Place subject in right rear with proper restraints and seatbelt.

8.2.1.5.2. Adjust inside mirror to provide visual observation of subject.

8.2.1.6. Vehicle without cage.

Option One:

8.2.1.6.1. Place in right front seat with proper restraints (cuffs, leg chains, waist chain) and seatbelt.

8.2.1.6.2. Make sure weapon is secure or placed away from potential access by subject.

Option Two:

8.2.1.6.3. Place in right rear seat with proper restraints (cuffs, leg chains, waist chain) and seatbelt.

8.2.1.6.4. Make sure weapon is secure or placed away from potential access by subject.

8.2.1.6.5. Adjust the rearview mirror to allow surveillance of subject movement.

8.2.1.7. Upon arriving at destination, visually check area for possible security risks then unload subject and move subject to appropriate area.

8.2.1.8 .Walk behind subject with weapon side away; if necessary for balance, assist subject by supporting under arm.

8.2.1.9. Observe subject and surroundings to ensure security and officer safety.

8.2.1.10. Do not allow yourself to be distracted from subject observation and control:

8.2.1.10.1. Do not relax after cuffing.

8.2.1.10.2. Do not let arrestee out of your sight.

8.2.2. Identify any statements or behavioral observations that indicate danger by the subject to him/herself or to others and the need to communicate these to person assuming custody.

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. Use proper escort techniques during movement by foot and vehicle from place to place for person(s) in custody:

a. Handcuff subject with hands to rear if injury/illness permits, otherwise restrain as appropriate (on gurney, if needed).

b. Ensure subject/arrestee has been properly searched.

c. Allow reaction space if possible.

d. Load into transport vehicle and check security of entire interior.

e. Vehicle with cage:

1. Place in right rear with proper restraints and seatbelt.

2. Adjust inside mirror to provide visual observation of subject/arrestee.

f. Vehicle without cage.

Option One:

1. Place in right front seat with proper restraints (cuffs, leg chains, waist chain) and seatbelt.

2. Make sure weapon is secure or placed away from potential access by subject.

Option Two:

1. Place in right rear seat with proper restraints (cuffs, leg irons, waist chain) and seatbelt.

2. Make sure weapon is secure or placed away from potential access by subject.

3. Adjust the rearview mirror to allow surveillance of subject movement.

g. Upon arriving at destination, visually check area for possible security risks then unload and move arrestee to appropriate medical area.

h. Walk behind with weapon side away; if necessary for balance, assist subject by supporting under arm.

i. Observe subject and surroundings to ensure security and officer safety.

j. Do not allow yourself to be distracted from arrestee observation and control.

1. Do not relax after cuffing.

2. Do not let arrestee out of your sight.

2. Identify any statements or behavioral observations that indicate danger by the subject to him/herself or to others and the need to communicate these to person assuming custody:

a. It is critical to communicate the statements or behavioral observations to person assuming custody since the individual being transported may attempt to do violence to him/herself or others.

b. If no one appears to be paying attention to the information you are giving, write it down and leave it. Make a field note regarding this. This will provide some protection with respect to liability.

Performance Outcome 8.3.

Transport ill or injured subject to receive medical care.

Training Objective Related to 8.3.

1. Given a written exercise, identify the steps involved to transport an ill or injured subject to receive medical care.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.3.1. Identify appropriate medical and biohazard precautions to take should subject/arrestee possibly have an airborne or bloodborne pathogen (tuberculosis, HIV, etc.):

8.3.1.1. Protective masks and personal protective equipment.

8.3.1.2.Cleaning hands, face, masks and vehicle after transport.

8.3.2. Secure subject/arrestee as injury/illness permits.

8.3.3. Use all other security practices noted in standard 8.2.

8.3.4. Do not allow yourself to be distracted from subject observation and control even though responding to a medical need of the subject/arrestee.

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. Identify appropriate medical and biohazard precautions to take should subject/arrestee possibly have an airborne or blood borne pathogen.

a. Protective masks and personal protective equipment.

b. Cleaning hands, face, masks and vehicle after transport.

2. Secure subject/arrestee as injury/illness permits.

3. Use all other security practices noted in standard 8.2.

4. Do not allow yourself to be distracted from subject/arrestee observation and control even though responding to a medical need of the subject/arrestee.

Instructor Notes: 1. Advise trainees to identify department policy related to medical transports involving rescue squad or other non-agency vehicle. 2. Advise trainees to identify department policy related to non-traditional medical transports, i.e. pregnant subject, disabled subject (various disabilities).