Volunteer Program.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 16.03 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Revised: February 12, 2020 I. PURPOSE: Volunteers can be an important part of any organization and are proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies. The purpose of this standard operating proce...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 16.03 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Revised: February 12, 2020 I. PURPOSE: Volunteers can be an important part of any organization and are proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies. The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide guidelines for the operation of a volunteer program and to establish guidelines regarding the selection, conduct, dress, and duties of volunteers. Police volunteers are not armed and do not have arrest authority. 2.09 II. PROCEDURE: A. ORGANIZATION: 1. The Volunteer Program falls under the Community Engagement Unit and is the responsibility of the Department’s volunteer coordinator. 2. The Volunteer Program will be flexible enough to incorporate projects that suit specific expertise and qualifications possessed by individual volunteers. 3. Volunteers must perform at least twelve (12) hours of service per month, unless extenuating circumstances exist. 4. Consistent failure to meet minimum recommended hours of service will be cause for disciplinary action, including dismissal, at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. 5. Additional duty time may be authorized by the Department volunteer coordinator and shall not be construed as a strict requirement. The additional duty time may be adjusted to suit individual needs and requirements of the Department. 6. Time spent attending meetings and training pertaining to the individual's volunteer status is counted towards the minimum requirement. 7. Volunteers will be required to attend volunteer meetings unless extenuating circumstances exist. 8. There shall be no rank structure within the Volunteer Program. 9. The failure of a volunteer to comply with the operational guidelines set forth herein, any written work rules pertaining to individuals employed by the City, or the laws Effective: December 6, 2011 Revised: February 12, 2020 Volunteer Program SOP No. 16.03 Page 1 of 5 of the State of Florida, will be cause for removal from the program, at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. 10. All disciplinary action above supervisory coaching, including dismissal, will be at the direction of the chief of police or his/her designee. 11. The City of Boca Raton volunteer coordinator will be notified, when possible, prior to disciplinary action being taken. 12. Department volunteers will not be paid by the City for required court appearances but shall be entitled to any witness or subpoena fees approved by the court. B. DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: 1. The Department volunteer coordinator reports to the Community Engagement Unit supervisor. 2. C. The responsibilities of the Department volunteer coordinator are as follows: a. Create duty assignments within the Department. b. Serve as a liaison to the City of Boca Raton volunteer coordinator. c. Maintain complete and accurate activity records of volunteers. d. Establish and maintain continuous in-service training programs. e. Serve as a liaison between volunteers and Department personnel. f. Coordinate the Department’s Citizens Police Academy Program. SELECTION STANDARDS: 1. The following occupations preclude serving as a volunteer: a. Full-time law enforcement officers b. Practicing attorneys admitted to the Florida Bar c. Bill collectors d. Bail bondsmen e. Security guards f. Private investigators g. Any occupation in an establishment whose primary function is the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages, or ownership in such an establishment Effective: December 6, 2011 Revised: February 12, 2020 Volunteer Program SOP No. 16.03 Page 2 of 5 h. Elected officials or employees of the City of Boca Raton whose position in City government or employment might exert an undue influence on the operations of the Volunteer Program or the Department 2. Police volunteers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. 3. City residents will be given preference in a specialty placement, should the situation arise. 4. Completion of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is optional, but time will be credited should the volunteer choose to attend the course. 5. The appointment of volunteers from qualified candidates will be at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. Qualified candidates are those who have successfully completed the City and Department screenings and the interview process. D. APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS: 1. Volunteer applicants shall complete the volunteer application and provide any other information as may be required by the Department. 2. The Professional Standards Bureau, as a condition of appointment of an individual as a volunteer, shall conduct a background investigation after the Department volunteer coordinator interviews the candidate. E. TRAINING STANDARDS: 13.01 1. All volunteers will be issued a City of Boca Raton Orientation Packet within thirty days of their appointment as Department volunteers. 2. The material will be reviewed with the Department volunteer coordinator and then signed off upon receipt. The signature sheets shall be forwarded to Human Resources. 3. The volunteer will be assigned to a Department employee for specialized training in their area of assignment. If the volunteer is unable to fulfill that position, the volunteer shall be reassigned as needed. 4. All volunteers shall be required to attend annual in-service training/meetings. Additional training will be given to volunteers, as needed. 5. The Department volunteer coordinator will facilitate and document all required training. Training documentation is kept with the Department volunteer coordinator and reviewed by the Community Engagement Unit supervisor. F. OPERATION OF A CITY VEHICLE: 1. If authorized to drive a City vehicle, a volunteer must: Effective: December 6, 2011 Revised: February 12, 2020 Volunteer Program SOP No. 16.03 Page 3 of 5 a. Possess a valid Florida Driver License. b. Attend (or have attended) the City’s defensive driving course once every three years. 2. If a volunteer is involved in a crash while operating a City vehicle, Department employee policy and procedures will be followed. 3. If the crash is determined to have been preventable, the Department will review the volunteer’s driving status. 4. The determination may result in the termination of the volunteer’s driving privilege but does not preclude the volunteer from participating in other areas of the Volunteer Program. G. DUTY ASSIGNMENTS: 2.09, 13.01 1. The duties of the Department volunteer may include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Assist the Records Section with scanning reports, fingerprinting, clerical functions, greeting visitors, customer service and special projects b. Assist with follow-up investigations involving cases where no investigative leads were initially reported c. Assist with the Citizen’s Police Academy d. Perform technical and specialized duties, as needed, depending on the qualifications of the individual volunteer 2. Volunteers shall only perform their duties in the Department issued uniform and while on approved duty. 3. Volunteers will not be assigned to high-risk functions or other duties that require sworn officer status. H. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: 1. Volunteers will be furnished the following equipment: a. One pair of black tactical pants (Taclite or Stryke) b. At least one light gray cotton polo shirt with Department patch embroidered over the left chest, the US flag and “VOLUNTEER” embroidered over the right chest c. Effective: December 6, 2011 Revised: February 12, 2020 One City of Boca Raton volunteer picture ID Volunteer Program SOP No. 16.03 Page 4 of 5 2. All property shall remain the property of the City of Boca Raton. Items shall be returned upon leaving the program. 3. Any unauthorized use or other misuse of equipment issued to a volunteer, or of any other property belonging to the City of Boca Raton, shall be cause for disciplinary action, including dismissal, at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. 4. Volunteers shall adhere to professional appearance standards as required by the City of Boca Raton. Approved: Michele Miuccio Interim Chief of Police Effective: December 6, 2011 Revised: February 12, 2020 Date: Volunteer Program SOP No. 16.03 Page 5 of 5