GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: MOBILE DATA TERMINALS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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MOBILE DATA TERMINALS
423.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the proper access, use and application of the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) system in order to ensure proper access to confidential records from local, state and national law enforcement databases, and to ensure effective electronic communications between department members and Communications.
423.2 POLICY
Lincoln Police Department members using the MDT shall comply with all appropriate federal and state rules and regulations and shall use the MDT in a professional manner, in accordance with this policy.
423.3 PRIVACY EXPECTATION
Members forfeit any expectation of privacy with regard to messages accessed, transmitted, received or reviewed on any department technology system (see the Information Technology Use Policy for additional guidance).
423.4 RESTRICTED ACCESS AND USE
MDT use is subject to the Information Technology Use and Protected Information policies.
Members shall not access the MDT system if they have not received prior authorization and any required training. Members shall immediately report unauthorized access or use of the MDT to their supervisors or Watch Commanders.
Use of the MDT system to access law enforcement databases or transmit messages is restricted to official activities, business-related tasks, or communications that are directly related to the business, administration or practices of the Department. In the event that a member has questions about sending a particular message or accessing a particular database, the member should seek prior approval from his/her supervisor.
Sending derogatory, defamatory, obscene, disrespectful, sexually suggestive, harassing or any other inappropriate messages on the MDT system is prohibited and may result in discipline.
It is a violation of this policy to transmit a message or access a law enforcement database under another member's name or to use the password of another member to log in to the MDT system unless directed to do so by a supervisor. Members are required to log off the MDT or secure the MDT when it is unattended. This added security measure will minimize the potential for unauthorized access or misuse.
423.4.1 USE WHILE DRIVING
Use of the MDT by the vehicle operator should be limited to times when the vehicle is stopped. Information that is required for immediate enforcement, investigative, tactical or safety needs should be transmitted over the radio.
In no case shall an operator attempt to send or review lengthy messages while the vehicle is in motion.
423.5 DOCUMENTATION OF ACTIVITY
Except as otherwise directed by the Watch Commander or other department-established protocol, all calls for service assigned by a communications officer should be communicated by voice over the police radio and electronically via the MDT unless security or confidentiality prevents such broadcasting.
MDT and voice transmissions are used to document the member's daily activity. To ensure accuracy:
(a) All contacts or activity shall be documented at the time of the contact.
(b) Whenever the activity or contact is initiated by voice, it should be documented by a communications officer.
(c) Whenever the activity or contact is not initiated by voice, the member shall document it via the MDT.
423.5.1 STATUS CHANGES
All changes in status (e.g., arrival at scene, meal periods, in service) will be transmitted over the police radio or through the MDT system.
Members responding to in-progress calls should advise changes in status over the radio to assist other members responding to the same incident. Other changes in status can be made on the MDT when the vehicle is not in motion.
423.5.2 EMERGENCY ACTIVATION
If there is an emergency activation and the member does not respond to a request for confirmation of the need for emergency assistance or confirms the need, available resources will be sent to assist in locating the member. If the location is known, the nearest available officer should respond in accordance with the Officer Response to Calls Policy.
Members should ensure a field supervisor and the Watch Commander are notified of the incident without delay.
Officers not responding to the emergency shall refrain from transmitting on the police radio until a no-further-assistance broadcast is made or if they are handling a different emergency.
423.6 EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
423.6.1 MALFUNCTIONING MDT
Whenever possible, members will not use vehicles with malfunctioning MDTs. Whenever members must drive a vehicle in which the MDT is not working, they shall notify Communications. It shall be the responsibility of the communications officer to document all information that will then be transmitted verbally over the police radio.
423.6.2 BOMB CALLS
When investigating reports of possible bombs, members should not communicate on their MDTs when in the evacuation area of a suspected explosive device. Radio frequency emitted by the MDT could cause some devices to detonate.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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