8-211 - Transportation and Car Seats

Policy

1. When any child being transported by MPD is both under the age of eight and shorter than four feet nine inches, the child shall be transported and properly fastened in a child passenger restraint system (car seat) meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards (in accordance with MN Statute section 169.685).

1. When an incident requires transportation in an MPD vehicle (regardless of the destination) of a child who is both under the age of eight and shorter than four feet nine inches, the officer shall notify a supervisor.

2. The supervisor who receives notification shall arrange for a response to the scene with the appropriate child passenger restraint system (car seat) and a vehicle equipped to safely secure the system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. If an emergency requires transportation of a child meeting the stated criteria and a child passenger restraint system (car seat) and appropriate vehicle are not available, the child must be secured using a seat belt.
3. Any employee transporting a child in an MPD vehicle shall document the transport in a supplement if a Police Report is being made for the incident. If no Police Report will be made, the employee shall document the transport in CAD via added remarks to the call. The documentation shall include:

• Where the child was transported from
• Where the child was transported to
• The age and approximate height of the child
• Whether the child was secured with a child passenger restraint system (car seat) or a seat belt
• If the child met the criteria for a car seat but was secured with a seat belt, what the emergency was that required transportation without the car seat and appropriate vehicle

• Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System.