Honor Guard.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 13.970 HONOR GUARD Revised: May 2, 2011 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish guidelines for the officers and supervisors of the Boca Raton Police Services Department assigned to the Honor Guard. II. POLI...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 13.970 HONOR GUARD Revised: May 2, 2011 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish guidelines for the officers and supervisors of the Boca Raton Police Services Department assigned to the Honor Guard. II. POLICY: The Department established the Honor Guard to provide a positive image and representation of the Department at funerals, ceremonies, parades, dedications, special events, or any other occasion designated by the chief of police or his/her designee. III. PROCEDURE: A. SELECTION: 1. Openings for members of the Honor Guard will be posted throughout the Department. 2. Any employee, who is interested in joining the Honor Guard and meets the criteria for membership, may apply by submitting a memorandum of interest through the chain of command to the Honor Guard commander. 3. The Honor Guard commander and at least one other member of the Honor Guard will interview all Department candidates who meet the criteria for membership in the Honor Guard Unit. 4. The Honor Guard commander will consult with the members of the Honor Guard. 5. The division commander in the Honor Guard’s chain of command will approve the selection. 6. B. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the process. SELECTION CRITERIA: 1. Assignment to the Honor Guard is open to all ranks not to exceed lieutenant, once applicants have completed probation. Effective: March 1993 Revised: May 2, 2011 Honor Guard Directive No. 13.970 Page 1 of 3 2. An applicant’s most recent performance evaluation rating must be at least Exceeds Expectations. 3. Honor Guard members must maintain an at least Exceeds Expectations rating on their performance evaluations. 4. The candidate’s employment history should show evidence of being a team player. 5. Military experience is not mandatory, but may be beneficial. 6. Duties and responsibilities of the Honor Guard members will be in addition to the officers’ present assignments. 7. Good physical condition is a prerequisite for officer safety and the prevention of injury since marching with equipment is required. C. SELECTION OF HONOR GUARD COMMANDER: 1. The highest-ranking Department officer in the Honor Guard will assume the duties of the Honor Guard commander. 2. If there are no supervisory personnel assigned to the Honor Guard, the division commander will select the Honor Guard commander based on the following: a. Experience with the Department Honor Guard or prior military experience, with honor guard experience taking priority. D. b. Interest in assuming the position of Honor Guard commander. c. The employee’s latest performance evaluation. TRAINING: 1. The members of the Honor Guard will attend training sessions arranged by the Honor Guard commander. 2. Each member of the Honor Guard shall be responsible for requesting permission from their respective supervisor to attend training sessions. E. EVENT REQUEST PROCEDURE: 1. Requests for Honor Guard participation at events will be forwarded to the Honor Guard commander. 2. The commander will complete an Honor Guard Request Form for the event. 3. The request form will be forwarded through the chain of command for approval by the chief of police or his/her designee. Effective: March 1993 Revised: May 2, 2011 Honor Guard Directive No. 13.970 Page 2 of 3 F. UNIFORMS: 1. The Department will issue Honor Guard uniforms to members in accordance with Departmental Standards Directive 84.200 Agency Assets and Equipment. 2. For funerals, memorials or other mourning occasions, the uniform shall be a navy blue jacket, navy blue pants with a vertical white stripe, black braids and black gloves. The honor guard badge will be covered with a black mourning band. 3. For dedications, parades and other occasions, the uniform shall be a navy blue jacket, navy blue pants with vertical stripes, white braids, and white gloves. 4. The members of the Honor Guard will not be required to wear their ballistic vest while in their Honor Guard uniforms. G. ANNUAL REPORT: 1. Annually, during the month of February, the Honor Guard commander will prepare a documented review of the Honor Guard for the purpose of determining whether it should be continued. This report shall include: a. A statement of the purpose of the Honor Guard b. An evaluation of the condition that required the implementation of the specialized assignment c. The events for which the Honor Guard was utilized, and d. A recommendation as to whether or not the program should be continued. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: March 1993 Revised: May 2, 2011 Date: Honor Guard Directive No. 13.970 Page 3 of 3