CITY OF LODI
                            ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

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SUBJECT:                                           :           ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE
                                                                        -Policy

DATE ISSUED:                                   :           July 1, 2008     

SECTION:                                           :           E

REFERENCE:                                     :           Administrative Memorandum

SECTION 1:                                        PURPOSE

             The purpose of this policy is to establish safe guidelines and criteria for electronic communication device use.  Electronic communication devices such as cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), pagers or computers, can be useful tools in assisting employees in their daily operations.  They can also be instrumental in dealing with natural disasters and other types of emergencies.

SECTION 2:                                         GENERAL POLICY GUIDELINES

No employee shall use any electronic devices (i.e., computers or personal data assistants) while driving other than a mobile phone or radio which is in accordance with the 2008 Vehicle Code § 23123, which makes it an infraction to use a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, unless it is designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and dialing and is used in that manner.  Emergency personnel are exempt under Vehicle Code § 23123 but should follow their respective department policies regarding this subject.

 The City of Lodi is committed to provide a safe and healthful work environment for our employees.  The use of mobile telephones, radios, pagers, computers, PDA’s also referred to as Mobile Office Technology or Two-way Communication devices, have become important tools in improving our communication abilities as well as our ability to work more efficiently.  For this reason, it is necessary that this policy be developed to provide safety guidelines and procedures on the use of such devices while conducting City business and operating vehicles/equipment.  It is imperative that employees use these devices safely and not put their life or the life of others at risk in order to use them.

Public Safety Officers who utilize these communication devices shall take extra care while operating vehicles/equipment.  Non-Public Safety personnel may use City authorized hand-held mobile telephones while operating vehicles/equipment only if a headset, speakerphone, ear bud, or some other technology is used that frees both hands while talking.  Drivers involved in emergency situations are exempt from this requirement.

All personnel may continue to use two-way radios while operating vehicles/equipment as long as care is taken to safely operate vehicles/equipment and all laws are adhered to.  Departments may have their own policies to this regard which will supersede this item.

Text messaging is prohibited at all times when operating vehicles/equipment.

To avoid inattention and distraction while driving, employees should allow telephone calls to be forwarded to an answering device or service until the vehicle/equipment is safely out of traffic and in a parked position.  Messages can then be retrieved and responded to accordingly.  As the alternative, the employee may make arrangement to have calls forwarded to another individual for a response. 
In the event that an incoming call must be received, an employee may accept an incoming call if they are utilizing a hands free device.   The device must be able to answer the incoming call and terminate the call with minimal disruption to the employee while driving their vehicle.   In no event should employees entertain lengthy, complex calls while their vehicle is in motion.   Never take notes while driving.  Pull off the road to jot something down; if it's a phone number, many mobile phones have an electronic scratchpad that allows you to key in a new number while having a conversation.

An employee may not initiate an outgoing call, by manually dialing a number while the vehicle is in motion.   Employees should pull their vehicles to the side of the road, parking in a safe place prior to dialing a call.  Vehicles or cellular devices equipped with hands free/voice activated dialing or single digit speed dialing may be used while a vehicle is in motion but employees must insure that their primary focus of attention is on the operation of their vehicle, not the cellular device.

Drivers are to inform passengers if their use of these devices is distracting their attention from the road.  Employees should request that the passenger not use them until such time as the vehicle/equipment is parked in a safe location, if necessary.

THE SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT SHALL TAKE PRECIDENT OVER THE USAGE OF THESE COMMUNICATION DEVICES.