1. General Provisions
   1. All transporting officers shall have a valid California drivers’ license, complete the County’s defensive driver’s training, and be certified in CPR/First Aid.
   2. Vehicles shall be operated and maintained in compliance with Department and County policies.
   3. A visual safety inspection of the vehicle, including all lights, horn, warning lights, turn signals and brake lights and a search for contraband, shall be performed pre- and post-transport.
   4. Staff and all youth when being transported must wear seat belts.  
   5. All incidents and accidents involving a county vehicle, staff or youth shall be reported in accordance with Department and County polices and as set forth below.
   6. A written transportation log entry shall be completed for all transports of youth.  The vehicle mileage and location from/to shall be documented in the vehicle mileage log pre- and post-transport
   7. Only emergency repairs should be made while on the road.  All others should be noted in the log and done at the County garage.
2. All Transports
   1. Officers shall carry a valid California driver’s license and Department ID at all times during the transport.
   2. Officers shall be equipped with personal safety items including pepper spray, handcuffs, and cell phone/radio. 
   3. Verify prior to transport that the custody van is equipped with first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency phone numbers, flares, vest and emergency triangle signs, County gas cards, vehicle mileage log, an accident packet, plug-in cell phone charger and blank incident forms.
   4. Opposite gender transports, shall include the notification of Sheriff’s Dispatch or the Juvenile Hall on-duty Control JSO with mileage and time of departure/arrival at the beginning/end of each trip.  Additionally any stops made along the way shall require notification of Dispatch/ Control JSO to log mileage, time, place and reason for stop and restart time.
   5. The on duty supervisor will determine the number of staff required to transport a youth(s). 
   6.  The van shall be fueled so it does not go below one-half tank.  Water, oil and window washing water should be checked at each fuel stop.  Fuel stops are not to be done with youth in transit except in unusual circumstances due to distance factors.  Rest stops are not permitted with youth in the van unless it is a matter of imminent need.
   7. A log shall be kept with each trip.  The name of each staff person and the date should be entered.  The time and mileage of each arrival and departure point shall be logged.
   8. Any damage to the van or other county vehicle must be reported promptly, especially those requiring repair, and absolutely when other persons and/or property are involved when an accident occurs.  The glove box contains instructions for use in serious accidents.
   9. The van and cars shall have all trash removed from the vehicles after each run.  
3. Pregnant Youth
   1. Pursuant to Section 222 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, pregnant youth taken to a hospital or medical office outside the facility shall be transported in the least restrictive manner possible, consistent with legitimate security needs of each youth 
   2. A pregnant youth shall not be shackled by the wrist, ankles or both during labor, including during transport to the hospital
   3. Once an attending physician determines that a pregnant youth is in active labor, the youth shall not be shackled by the wrists, ankles or both, unless it is necessary for the safety and security of the youth, staff, or public.
4. In-Custody Transports
   1. In addition to all the above,
   2. In-custody transports shall be by the custody van, other caged vehicle or a non-caged vehicle with a second transport officer.
   3. Transport officers shall be equipped with their safety gear including radio, handcuffs/key, pepper spray and baton (baton applies only to officers trained and authorized to carry a baton).  
   4. Pursuant to WIC 210.6, mechanical restraints may not be used on a juvenile during transportation to/from a secure facility commitment, unless determined by a SDPO or CDPO that restraints of that kind are necessary to prevent physical harm, or that there is a substantial risk of flight.  The level of restraints shall be determined by the on-duty supervisor and the reasons supporting the decision shall be documented.   
   5. There are three levels of restraints:  
      1. Level 1 - Leg Irons only; 
      2. Level 2 – Leg Irons and Hand Cuffs (front); and 
      3. Level III – Leg irons and belly chains.  
   6. After the youth is assessed for risk factors, the on-duty supervisor will determine the level of restraint.
   7. In-custody juveniles and adults should not be transported in the same vehicle at any time.
   8. If there is a female youth, at least one female officer must accompany the youth, absent exigent circumstances.
   9. When transporting youth more than 50 miles one-way from Juvenile Hall, two Deputy Probation Officers/Juvenile Services Officers are required
   10. When it is determined that a youth is a low-risk transport to placement, doctor’s appointments or for other "non-court" reasons, one Deputy Probation Officer/Juvenile Service Officer may transport the youth. 
   11.  When a youth is in restraints, there may be occasion to take restraints off (i.e., doctor's office).  If this is the case, staff must check with the supervisor before leaving the facility to obtain approval for possible removal of restraints.  Once at location, staff must do security check of location and, if assessed to be safe, restraints may be removed.  Staff may leave the youth in the room, if the room is secure and staff can sit outside the room and still see if the youth tries to leave.
5. Transportation to Sheriff’s Downtown Court Holding Facility
   1. Youth going to Criminal Court for hearings must be escorted by two Deputy Probation Officers/Juvenile Service Officers.  
   2. The van must carry a cell phone and, upon arrival at the Custody sally port, the DPO/JSO will call the Sheriff's officers inside.  Once the sally port is opened, the custody van will proceed inside.
   3. Once inside, the youth must be secured in the holding room.  One DPO/JSO will back the van outside and park it.  The DPO/JSO will then join his/her partner inside.  Probation staff must maintain responsibility and supervision of the youth at all times.  When returning to Juvenile Hall, the reverse order must occur.
6. Armed Transports
   1. In addition to all the above: Section 830.5 of the California Penal Code allows officers to carry firearms while on duty if authorized by their employing agency.  The Chief Probation Officer retains the sole authority to grant or deny request to carry a firearm while on duty. 
   2. All officers authorized to carry a firearm must first pass a psychological examination to evaluate the individual’s suitability with regard to carrying a firearm. 
   3. Armed officers shall adhere to all Departmental Arming and Use of Force policies during an armed transport.
   4. Only officers who have been approved and completed all department required trainings on in-custody armed transports shall be assigned. When an armed transport is designated two armed officers shall be assigned. 
   5. All arming equipment shall be stored in the department approved safe. (Baton, Taser, firearm, magazines, and ammunition) 
   6.  Access to the location of the firearms safes shall only be completed by the Chief Deputy Probation Officer of the Custody Division or a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer assigned to the Juvenile Hall. 
   7. The need for armed transportation is to be pre-approved by the Chief Deputy Probation Officer of the Custody Division or the Assistant Chief.  Armed transports shall be for:
      1. Department of Juvenile Justice commitments or  for a request for emergency housing
      2. Transfer hearing taking place at the downtown courthouse
      3. Any minor transferred to the adult criminal system
      4. Or at the discretion of the Chief Deputy Probation Officer, Assistant Chief Probation Officer or Chief Probation Officer 
   8. Once the armed transport is completed the Juvenile Services Officer shall return all arming equipment to the department approved safe.
7. Emergency Room and Medical Appointment Transports
   1. The Juvenile Hall is responsible for transporting detained youth to the Community Health Clinic/Emergency Room, Behavioral Health In-patient Unit, medical or dental appointments made by or authorized by the clinic or facility nurse, adult court for youth who have been found unfit for being held in Juvenile Court or for adult court proceedings concurrent with Juvenile Court matters.  
   2. In case of a medical emergency, an ambulance will be called.  Staff will not attempt to provide transportation for emergency, dangerous or life-threatening situations.  Staff may be requested to accompany a youth in the ambulance, to a hospital.
8. Traffic Accidents-Non-Injury
   1. Staff shall follow the County vehicle accident policy.
   2. Inform Sheriff’s Dispatch if logged on and/or the on-duty Control JSO who will log the notification.  Advise location and number of vehicles involved and any injuries.
   3. Inform the on-duty or on-call Juvenile Hall Supervising Deputy Probation Officer who in turn will notify the Chief Deputy Probation Officer.
   4. Complete a vehicle accident report as soon as practical and deliver to the on-duty supervisor.
   5. Only emergency repairs may be done on the road.  All other repairs are to be performed at/by the County Garage
9. Traffic Accidents-Staff Involved Injury
   1. In addition to all the above in Section H: Advise Sheriff’s Dispatch / on-duty Control JSO of the nature of the injuries and request fire and paramedic response if necessary.
   2. If able, insure youth are secured and safely removed from the area.
   3. Obtain medical clearance prior to returning to work
10. Traffic Accidents-Youth Involved Injury
    1. In addition to all the above in Sections H and I:  Determine and seek appropriate medical attention for the youth.
    2. If youth has serious injuries, that if moved would place the youth’s health at risk, request EMS response to the accident scene
11. Escapes
    1. Alert Sheriff’s Dispatch or the nearest law enforcement agency.
    2. Give youth’s full description, clothing worn, location last seen and direction of travel.
    3. Notify the on-duty Control JSO who will notify the on-duty or on-call supervisor and the Chief Deputy.
    4. Complete incident report within 24 hours and submit to the Chief Deputy.
12. Locations of Fueling
    1. The County has several locations where fuel is available.  These are to be used whenever a County vehicle needs fuel, unless a trip out of the county and fuel is needed in order to continue the trip and meet the requirements of safety. County gas pumps are located as follows:  
       1. Adjacent to the Honor Farm.
    2. Voyager credit cards are available for use at gas stations.  Voyager cards are restricted to use when a county vehicle is out of the County.
13. Maintenance of Juvenile Hall Vehicles
    1. The van should be washed and cleaned carefully once each month.
    2.  

2. All vehicles shall follow scheduled service dates established by the County Garage.

N. Use of Vehicles by Non-Custody Staff

1. The Probation Department (non-custody) is authorized to use the secure van for transportation. 

2. Prior arrangements are required, unless an emergency or extreme urgency occurs.  

3. The use of the van by other than Juvenile Hall personnel is to be authorized by the Chief Deputy of the Custody Division.  Approval will be given based on the Juvenile Hall potential needs and priorities.