Omaha Police Pipe and Drum Corps Organizational Component PDF

# ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT – PIPE AND DRUM CORPS ## PREAMBLE: The Omaha Police Pipe and Drum Corps was established in 2010 as a volunteer organization devoted to positively representing the Omaha Police Department through performing ceremonial bagpipe and drum music at funerals and various civic...

# ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT – PIPE AND DRUM CORPS ## PREAMBLE: The Omaha Police Pipe and Drum Corps was established in 2010 as a volunteer organization devoted to positively representing the Omaha Police Department through performing ceremonial bagpipe and drum music at funerals and various civic functions. ## POLICY It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to provide ceremonial services that honor with dignity those of OPD's ranks, active or retired, who have died and to participate in other civic functions that promote the highest qualities of law enforcement and the OPD. The Pipe and Drum Corps will execute ceremonial functions with the utmost skill, precision, musicianship, and pride throughout the community while maintaining the highest standards of OPD and the Pipe and Drum Corps. ## PROCEDURE ### 1. Selection and Composition of the Pipe and Drum Corps * **A.** The Pipe and Drum Corps is composed of a volunteer group of sworn and non-sworn employees and has an authorized strength of 15 members; (5) drummers and (10) pipers. * 1. Members must be off probationary status and have a minimum of one year sworn law enforcement or military employment. * **B.** The Pipe and Drum Corps is an As-Needed Component (ANC) to the OPD organizational structure and is part of the Executive Services Bureau (ESB), Training and Community Services Section (TCSS). * 1. All Pipe and Drum Corps member administrative requests (Special Duty, overtime pay, travel, etc.) will be routed through the TCSS Captain. * **C.** Candidates on the Pipe and Drum Corps Eligibility List will be selected through a formal application process. * 1. Openings in the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps will be available to OPD officers and employees regardless of rank. * a. The Pipe and Drum Corps' Pipe Major will post an Information Order, requesting candidates in the first week of December. * b. Prospective members will initiate the application process by stating their request for membership to the Pipe and Drum Corps to the Pipe Major via inter-office communication. * c. The candidate's qualifications will be checked by the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps' Pipe Major. The Pipe Major will then forward a qualification questionnaire to the candidate's chain of command for their input as to the character, work ethic, and suitability of the candidate. * d. The names of the applicants will then be submitted to the current members of the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps for approval. A simple majority vote (greater than 50 percent) shall be sufficient for the proposed member's application to be advanced to the Chief of Police or their designee for review. * e. The Chief of Police, or their designee, will make the final decision with regards to assignment to the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps. * f. Membership in the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps does not automatically signify that members are eligible for public performance. Members may be required to audition for performances with the Pipe Major and/or Drum Sergeant prior to a public performance. Auditions for performances will be enforced based on the individual member's level of musicianship and attendance at band practices and training sessions. This is to ensure the highest quality of musicianship and in keeping with the goals and expectations of the Omaha Police Pipe and Drum Corps. * **D.** The Pipe and Drum Corps band members will elect chair officers consisting of a Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant. All other positions within the band are appointed by the Pipe Major for the duration of their elected terms. * 1. The Pipe Major will report directly to the TCSS Captain. * 2. The Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant will be responsible for training, equipping, staffing, and administering the functions of the Pipes and Drums. * 3. Elections will take place every two (2) years. * a. A simple majority shall be sufficient to be elected. * b. Nominations for office will be taken in January with elections in March of any odd year. * c. Newly-elected officers will take office on May 16th of that year. * d. If a chair officer is unable to fulfill their duties and resigns, the succession of the Pipe Major shall be the Pipe Sergeant, who will then complete the remainder of the term until new elections take place. * **E.** A Retention Committee will be convened when necessary to make a recommendation on a member's dismissal from the Pipe and Drum Corps based upon continual absences from practice and/or official functions or any other issues that would reflect poorly on the Pipe and Drum Corps. * 1. The Retention Committee will consist of three (3) Pipe and Drum Corps members, to include the Pipe Major, Drum Sergeant, and one at-large band member. * a. Terms of those appointed to the committee will coincide with the elected position's tenure (two (2) years). * 2. The Retention Committee will evaluate a member's performance, attendance, dependability, and appearance when deciding whether or not to recommend dismissal. * a. Misconduct that results in departmental discipline or misconduct while performing Pipe and Drum Corps duties may also be assessed by the Retention Committee. * b. The affected member(s) will be given the option to address the Retention Committee regarding the situation in question. * 3. The Retention Committee will make a recommendation to the TCSS Captain for retention, dismissal, or suspension. * a. The TCSS Captain will evaluate the Retention Committee's recommendation and will forward the recommendation along with their recommendation to the ESB Deputy Chief for final action. * **D.** Member Emeritus * 1. Upon retirement in good standing from OPD, and OPD Pipe and Drum Corps Band Member may request Emeritus status from the Pipe and Drum Corps Membership. If Emeritus status is granted, the member will retain membership in the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps. * a. A Member Emeritus shall not receive any OPD compensation for their services, and all expenses incurred while on Emeritus status shall be the responsibility of the Member Emeritus. * b. A Member Emeritus will retain all OPD Pipe and Drum Corps uniform items purchased by OPD until severing ties with the Unit. At this time, all OPD purchased uniform items shall be returned to the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps. Pipe and Drum Corps Members Emeritus leaving in good standing shall be given the option of retaining their kilt by remitting payment to the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps. ### 2. Pipes and Drums Band Member Attendance and Duty Status * **A.** Attendance Requirements. * 1. Band Members are required to attend a minimum of four (4) of the six (6) mandatory training sessions per year with no unexcused absences. * 2. Members are required to attend 50 percent of weekly band practices per month. * a. Excused absences may be granted at the Pipe Major's discretion * **B.** Special Duty Status. * 1. Pipe and Drum Corps members are granted Special Duty status while participating in designated Pipe and Drum Corps training, ceremonies, or functions when absent from their assigned duties for one full day or more. * 2. Members are responsible for obtaining approval for Special Duty status through their chain of command via email. * 3. Band Members shall be granted one (1) hour of Special Duty per week to attend weekly band practices. * **C.** Overtime Status. * 1. The Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major will attempt to utilize on-duty members to staff events. * 2. When on-duty members are unavailable, the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major may utilize members on overtime status with the approval of the TCSS Captain. ### 3. Requests for Pipe and Drum Corps Services * **A.** All requests are sent to the TCSS Captain or the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major. In either case, both will be advised of the requested event. * 1. Requests are reviewed by the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major for approval. * a. If the Pipe and Drum Corps is not able to honor the request, the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major will inform the TCSS Captain and the requesting party why the request cannot be honored. * b. Requesting parties may appeal their denial through the TCSS Captain to the ESB Deputy Chief. * 2. The Pipe and Drum Corps will not accept or honor any request for participation in any function that could potentially cause embarrassment or ridicule to any law enforcement agency, the Pipe and Drum Corps, any individual law enforcement employee, or the United States flag. * 3. The Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major or senior member participating in an event may withdraw the Pipe and Drum Corps from an event at any time if a determination is made that the event is inappropriate or continued participation in the event would compromise the integrity of the Pipe and Drum Corps. * **B.** Requests for Out of Area Events. * 1. Situations may arise in which the Pipe and Drum Corps is requested or wishes to attend an out of area event. Generally, these should be limited to within 200 miles of Omaha with the exception of events in the State of Nebraska. * a. This policy permits the Pipe and Drum Corps to attend events as far south as Kansas City, as far east as Des Moines, Iowa, and as far north as Sioux Falls, South Dakota. * b. Exceptions to this policy shall be submitted to the ESB Deputy Chief for approval via the TCSS Captain. ### 4. Requests for Funerals. * 1. The privilege of the use of the OPD Pipe and Drum Corps at funerals is restricted to: * a. OPD officers who have died in the line of duty, died while actively working, or who have retired from the OPD after 20 years of service or more. * b. Law enforcement officers who have died while working for another law enforcement agency. * c. Firefighters and other government / military officials as approved by the TCSS Captain. ### 5. Responsibilities and Procedures for Member Deaths and Funerals * **A.** Procedures for Pipe and Drum Corps presence at a Line of Duty Death of an OPD officer or a member of a neighboring/adjacent law enforcement agency. * 1. In the event of a death in the line of duty of any OPD officer, the Pipe and Drum Corps will conduct a variety of services in accordance with their Unit Manual. The Pipe Major shall be notified as soon as possible of an impending performance. * a. As soon as practical after notification, the Pipe Major will meet with the Chief of Police, or designee, to discuss the facts of the situation and to recommend pertinent Pipe and Drum Corps services that may be provided to the surviving family members. * **B.** Procedures for a Non-Line of Duty Death of an Active OPD Officer. * 1. When an active OPD officer dies, but not in the line of duty, the Pipe and Drum Corps may offer a variety of services in accordance with their Unit Manual, dependent upon availability and the wishes of the family. * a. Because the death did not happen on duty, notification to the Pipe and Drum Corps may be delayed. It is important that immediately after the OPD has been notified of the death, the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major is notified. * **C.** Procedures for the Death of a Retired OPD Officer. * 1. When a retired OPD officer with 20 years of service or more dies, the Pipe and Drum Corps may offer a variety of services in accordance with their Unit Manual dependent upon their availability and the wishes of the family. * a. Notification of the death of a retired member of the OPD may come in an untimely fashion. Once the OPD has been notified, the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major should be informed. * b. When a deceased, retired officer lived out of state or in a location that is not convenient due to traveling distances, all Pipe and Drum Corps requests will be approved by the ESB Deputy Chief via the TCSS Captain. ## 6. Training * **A.** The Pipe and Drum Corps has six (6) one (1) day mandatory training sessions each year. Training days occur in January, March, May, July, September, and November. * 1. Requests for excusal from practice will be submitted to the Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major. * 2. Special Duty status will be given for these dates. * 3. The Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major may request additional training dates that must be approved through the TCSS Captain. * **B.** The Pipe and Drum Corps Pipe Major shall issue an OPD Personnel Order to convey the actual training days, dates, and times, as well as the names of those Pipe and Drum Corps band members who are required to attend. * 1. Band members shall meet to receive training in musicianship, drill, and ceremonies, as well as other subjects that Pipe Major chooses. * 2. The individual unit supervisors of Pipe and Drum Corps band members shall make certain that a Temporary Special Duty/Change of Hours approval from the employee's chain of command is completed for the Pipe and Drum Corps band members, when necessary. ## 7. Uniforms and Equipment * **A.** Pipe and Drum Corps band members shall be issued the Pipe and Drum Corps uniform and equipment items per the OPD Uniforms and the OPD Equipment policies. * 1. The TCSS Captain will forward an inter-office communication to the Police Supply Unit (PSU) when a member requires a uniform or equipment item. * **B.** The PSU will issue and account for Pipe and Drum Corps uniform and equipment items. ## REFERENCES ### 1. Previous OPD Orders * **A.** Previous General Orders: #11-19. * **B.** Previous Information Orders: #179-22. ### 2. Accreditation Standards * **A.** Relevant CALEA Accreditation standards: 22.2.4 and 26.1.1. ### 3. Other * **A.** PPM Monthly Updates: #11-2022 and 5-2023.