Volunteer_Program

Policy 338CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentVolunteer Program - 1Volunteer Program 338.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE It is the policy of this department to use qualified volunteers for specified tasks and duties in order to create efficiencies for the Department and improve services to the community. Volunteers are intended to supplement and support, rather than supplant, sworn officers and civilian personnel. Volunteers can be an important part of any organization and are proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies. Volunteers help to increase department responsiveness, delivery of services and information input, and provide new program opportunities. In addition, volunteers bring new skills and expertise to the Department and prompt new enthusiasm. 338.1.1 DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER An individual who performs a service for the Department without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered. This may include unpaid chaplains, unpaid reserve officers, interns, persons providing administrative support and youth involved in a law enforcement Explorer Post, among others. 338.2 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 338.2.1 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR The Volunteer Coordinator shall be appointed by the Administrative Services Division Commander. The function of the Volunteer Coordinator is to provide a central coordinating point for effective volunteer management within the Department, and to direct and assist staff and volunteer efforts to jointly provide more productive services. The Volunteer Coordinator should work with other Department staff on an ongoing basis to assist in the development and implementation of volunteer-staffed positions. The Volunteer Coordinator, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for the following: (a)Recruiting, selecting and training qualified volunteers for various positions. (b)Facilitating the implementation of new volunteer activities and assignments. (c)Maintaining records for each volunteer. (d)Tracking and evaluating the contribution of volunteers. (e)Maintaining the volunteer handbook and outlining expectations, policies and responsibilities for all volunteers. (f)Maintaining a record of volunteer schedules and work hours. (g)Completion and dissemination as appropriate of all necessary paperwork and information. (h)Planning periodic recognition events. (i)Administering discipline when warranted. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Volunteer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentVolunteer Program - 2(j)Maintaining liaison with other volunteer-utilizing programs in the community and assisting in community-wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering. 338.2.2 RECRUITMENT Volunteers should be recruited on a continuous and ongoing basis consistent with department policy on equal opportunity nondiscriminatory employment. A primary qualification for participation in the application process should be an interest in, and an ability to assist the Department in serving the public. Requests for volunteers should be submitted in writing by interested staff to the Volunteer Coordinator through the requester’s immediate supervisor. A complete position description and a requested time-frame should be included in the request. All parties should understand that the recruitment of volunteers is enhanced by creative and interesting assignments. The Volunteer Coordinator may withhold assignment of any volunteer until such time as the requesting unit is prepared to make effective use of volunteer resources. 338.2.3 SCREENING All prospective volunteers should complete the volunteer application form. The Volunteer Coordinator or designee should conduct a face-to-face interview with an applicant under consideration. A documented background investigation shall be completed on each volunteer applicant and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: (a)Traffic and criminal background check. Fingerprints shall be obtained from all applicants and processed through the California Criminal Information Index. (b)Employment (c)References (d)Credit check A polygraph exam may be required of each applicant depending on the type of assignment. 338.2.4 SELECTION AND PLACEMENT Service as a volunteer with the Department shall begin with an official notice of acceptance or appointment to a volunteer position. Notice may only be given by an authorized representative of the Department, who will normally be the Volunteer Coordinator. No volunteer should begin any assignment until they have been officially accepted for that position and completed all required screening and paperwork. At the time of final acceptance, each volunteer should complete all required enrollment paperwork and will receive a copy of their position description and agreement of service with the Department. All volunteers shall receive a copy of the volunteer handbook and shall be required to sign a volunteer agreement. Volunteers should be placed only in assignments or programs that are consistent with their knowledge, skills, abilities and the needs of the Department. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Volunteer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentVolunteer Program - 3338.2.5 TRAINING Volunteers will be provided with an orientation program to acquaint them with the Department, personnel, policies and procedures that have a direct impact on their work assignment. Volunteers should receive position-specific training to ensure they have adequate knowledge and skills to complete tasks required by the position and should receive periodic ongoing training as deemed appropriate by their supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator. Training should reinforce to volunteers that they may not intentionally represent themselves as, or by omission infer that they are sworn officers or other full-time members of the Department. They shall always represent themselves as volunteers. All volunteers shall comply with the rules of conduct and with all orders and directives, either oral or written, issued by the Department. 338.