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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIVIL VOL PROG 25.2 TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM GENERAL ORDER: 25.2C EFFECTIVE: October 19, 2009 REPLACES: 25.2B PAGES: 4 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. GENERAL II. CLERICAL VOLUNTEERS III CITIZEN OBSERVER PATROL IV GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To establish guidelines for the utilization of civilian volunteers, who provide unpaid services to the Tequesta Police Department. SCOPE: This order applies to all Police Department members. POLICY: Civilian volunteers will be used wherever possible to perform duties that do not require sworn law enforcement status. They will receive training appropriate to the duties we may call upon them to perform. These duties may include clerical work, volunteering with the Citizen Observer Patrol, or others as described by policy or need. The civilian volunteer program is designed to supplement, not substitute, for salaried agency members. PROCEDURE: I. GENERAL: A. For purposes of this general order, the term “civilian volunteers” and “Citizen Observer Patrol” will not include reserve officers, who have either full or limited law enforcement authority by virtue of their specific certification and training. B. Civilian volunteers serve at the pleasure of the Chief and do not receive any salary or benefits except workers' compensation coverage. C. There will be no discrimination as to age, sex, race, or physical handicap in the selection of civilian volunteers. However, minimum age restrictions will be enforced. D. Prospective volunteers for programs covered herein must submit to an agency background investigation including, but not limited to, fingerprinting, driver license check, and an FCIC/NCIC check. E. Civilians accepted for volunteer programs will be issued an agency photo ID card identifying their volunteer status. The card is agency property and must be returned to the agency at the end of the volunteer service. G.O. 25.2C F. Volunteers are expected to have the ability, aptitude, and skills commensurate with their assigned duties. The volunteer's supervisor will be responsible for providing or coordinating a job orientation and any instruction or training necessary to accomplish assigned duties. II. CLERICAL VOLUNTEERS: The Support Services Division is responsible for administering the clerical volunteer program to include recruitment, selection, and assignment of volunteers. A. To serve as volunteer, individuals must be 18 years of age, or 17 years old if a high school diploma has already been awarded. B. Clerical volunteers will be assigned to duty upon successful completion of the application, screening process, and interview with the requesting supervisor. C. When a clerical volunteer is needed, the request will include a job description and outline the specific duties of the position, any special qualifications required, and the days and work hours involved. The position will be filled either by a civilian who applied directly to the agency, or by an individual on file with the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Person. D. Clerical volunteers will not be issued equipment, or be permitted to carry a weapon. A uniform shirt, distinctly marked and of a different color than that issued to regular and full time members, shall be issued. II CITIZEN OBSERVER PATROL (COP): The operations division is responsible for administering the citizen observer patrol to include recruitment, selection, and assignment of volunteers. A . Member Requirements: 1 . Must be at least 18 years of age 2 . Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate 3 . Have been interviewed by the Chief or his designee 4. Complete the process outlined in Section I, paragraph D of this General Order; i.e. background investigation etc. B. Training Requirements: 1. A minimum of sixteen hours of ride-along time with a sworn officer will be required prior to volunteer assignment. 2. Attend, at their earliest convenience, the Tequesta Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy. 3. Volunteer at least 8 hours a month, to include time spent at associated meetings. 4. Prior to assignment volunteers will be instructed on the proper use of the police mobile and portable radios, to include but not limited to, radio procedure, radio emergency traffic, proper fundamental operation, and the use of codes and signals. In addition to radio communications volunteers will also have access to a department cell phone to be used for official business. C. Dress Code and Equipment: 1. Volunteers will not be issued tactical law enforcement equipment, or be permitted to carry a weapon. 2 G.O. 25.2C 2. When uniforms are required, they will be provided by the Police Department. The uniform shirt will be distinctly different than that issued to a sworn officer 3. Citizen Observer Patrol volunteers shall wear their hair in accordance with departmental standards for uniform personnel and will only wear jewelry, while on duty, that is commensurate with department standards for all uniform personnel. They will keep their personal hygiene in accordance with department standards for uniform personnel, while on duty 4. Police radio and cell phone will be available 5. Black shoes and a black belt will be the responsibility of the volunteer. D. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Assist road patrol as required and within the scope of their training 2. Perform closed home checks a. While performing closed home checks if the volunteer discovers an open door or window or anything that appears suspicious, they will immediately notify communications. Under no circumstances are they to enter the dwelling 3. Parking enforcement and traffic control (once certified in accordance with FDLE and CJSTC standards) 4. Routine patrol in areas in which crimes have been occurring for the purpose of distributing crime prevention literature and to report any suspicious activity 5. It is expressly prohibited for a volunteer to respond to or be dispatched to any calls for service unless requested by the on-duty supervisor. In the event a potentially dangerous or hazardous call is dispatched, to zone units volunteers will promptly leave the area. At no time should a volunteer confront violators, suspicious persons, suspects, or persons confrontational totheirpolice association and / or activity. 6. Assist in special events such as National Night Out, Harvest Fest and etc. at the discretion of the event coordinator 7. Upon reporting for duty the volunteers shall meet with the on-duty shift supervisor to receive his assignment and/or any special instructions. The supervisor will inspect the volunteers’ patrol unit prior to deployment to ensure the shotgun has been removed. If for some reason an inspection has not been conducted and the volunteer observes that the shotgun is present it will be the responsibility of the volunteer to immediately notify the on-duty supervisor to facilitate its’ removal prior to any vehicle operation. Under no circumstances shall the vehicle be operated by the volunteer with the shotgun in the vehicle. While on patrol the COP patrol unit will always be staffed by two members of the volunteer group. Volunteers may ride singularly with sworn personnel E . Vehicles: 1. Citizen Observer Patrol Volunteers will patrol in a marked patrol car that has the words CITIZEN OBSERVER PATROL in large print displayed on both sides of the vehicle. This procedure may be modified by the Chief of Police or his designee to incorporate the use of any other fleet vehicle for special assignments or duties The AMBER lights of a patrol unit will be utilized in potentially hazardous situations for visibility purposes, such as on the roadway at the scene of a crash. . During assigned patrols the emergency lights or siren of any patrol unit will not be utilized by a volunteer unless specific permission has been given by the Chief of Police or his designee; i.e when assisting or participating in special events or duties. 2. Volunteers will be responsible for checking all patrol vehicle fluids prior vehicle operation. An inspection of 3 G.O. 25.2C the exterior of the vehicle shall be conducted that includes light operation, tire condition, and any vehicle damage. Any defects will be immediately reported to the on-duty supervisor. The vehicle will not be operated if any defect that would be present a safety hazard, such as worn tires or inoperable lights. III. GLOSSARY: AARP - The American Association of Retired Persons is an organization for senior citizens. The local chapter operates a Senior Community Service Employment Program that pays the individual worker, at no cost to the department. TACTICAL EQUIPMENT - This category includes but is not limited to handcuffs, chemical agents, impact weapons, electronic control weapons (ECW), or any other lethal of less-lethal weapon. INDEXING: CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS CCITIZEN OBSERVER PATROL VOLUNTEERS DRAFTED: DJR/October 2009/Filed: Civil25.2 APPROVED: Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011 Tequesta, Florida 4