Under JSO policy, which condition allows leaving the keys in the ignition?

• A. The engine is off.
• B. The doors are locked and the operator has an extra key, or a police function is being performed.
• C. The vehicle is in a secure parking lot.
• D. The driver is inside the building.

Answer: (B)

In this policy, the main idea is balancing vehicle security with operational readiness. Normally you don’t leave ignition keys in a patrol vehicle to prevent theft or unauthorized use. Two specific allowances allow it: first, if the doors are locked and the operator has an extra key, and second, if a police function is being performed.

Leaving the keys in the ignition is allowed in that first situation because the vehicle is secured (doors locked) and an authorized spare key is available, reducing the risk of unauthorized access while still enabling legitimate access if needed. In the second situation, performing a police function may require the vehicle to be ready for rapid deployment, so the policy grants that exception to support effective operations.

The other scenarios don’t meet the approved conditions—engine status, being in a secure lot, or the driver being inside a building don’t provide the needed safeguards or operational justification, so they don’t permit leaving the keys in the ignition.