4-220 - Cellular Phones

The Minneapolis Police Department uses cellular phones in the course of police operations to enhance departmental communication. The purpose of this policy is to provide all MPD employees with guidelines for the proper use of cellular phones.

Disruptive Activity: Any time that cell phone operations would be considered disruptive, such as in training sessions, court or public places where cell phone use would reasonably be deemed annoying and intrusive.

Distraction: Any time the use of a cell phone would unnecessarily or unreasonably divert the attention of an employee from official duties and/or cause a potentially hazardous situation.

1. This policy is supplemental to the City of Minneapolis Cell Phone Policy.
2. Cell phones issued to department employees by other agencies, jurisdictions, or entities shall be governed by the same policy and regulations as phones issued by the MPD.
3. Evidence recorded on a cell phone shall be handled in accordance with P&P 4-224 Employee Cell Phones and Recording Devices Used to Capture Evidence.

General Use of Cellular Phones

1. Cell phones are intended to supplement to the MPD’s communication system, not substitute for radio communication designated for transmission through MECC. Calls for service shall be received, coordinated and dispatched through MECC and not via an employee’s personal or department issued cell phone.

2. A cell phone shall not be used when it would unnecessarily or unreasonably divert the attention of an employee from official duties or cause a potentially hazardous situation.
3. Engagement in multiple or extended cell phone conversations, text messaging or other use of cell phone devices unrelated to police business while on duty, or similar use that interferes with the performance of an employee’s job duties, is prohibited.

1. While incidental usage of department-issued phones for non-city related business is allowed, such use should be kept to a minimum.

4. Employees’ use of a cell phone while operating City or Department vehicles shall comply with the City’s Distracted Driving Policy. Cell phone use must be directly associated with a necessary, business-related function.
5. Cell phones should not be used if they may be disruptive to others.
6. The MPD is not responsible for loss or damage occurring to personal cell phones while employees are working on or off duty.

Department-Issued Cell Phones

1. Employees issued a cell phone by the MPD shall:

1. Ensure the voicemail function is set up and able to accept messages.
2. Ensure the phone is charged.
3. Be responsible for proper care and appropriate use of the cell phone. This includes but is not limited to: reasonable minutes and data charges incurred, proper use of the department-issued protective case, and accountability for any accessories that the employee is issued associated with the cell phone.
4. Keep the phone on and in an audible or vibration mode at all times while on duty except in those circumstances where it may be considered disruptive or a distraction.
5. Keep the phone on their persons or close enough to their person to safely answer a call while on duty.
6. Check for voicemail messages periodically while on duty, to ensure that any outstanding messages are returned in a timely manner.
7. Respond to all calls related to city operations within a reasonable length of time.
8. Use password protection on the phone at all times.

2. Employees issued a cell phone by the MPD shall not:

1. List the department issued cell phone as their primary phone number. Refer to P&P 3-304 Telephone and Address Requirements.

2. Use the issued phone for calls to directory assistance except when exigent circumstances dictate otherwise.

3. Random audits of department-issued cell phones may be made at the MPD’s discretion.
4. All data sent, delivered or accessed on a department-issued cell phone are subject to data practice laws and may be considered public data. This includes but is not limited to emails, text messages and telephone calls.
5. The MPD will not be responsible for damage to or loss of a department-issued cell phone if:

1. The cell phone is not housed in the department-issued protective case.
2. If the damage or loss occurs as a result of negligence by the employee.