Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
425 Delano PD Policy Manual
Homeless Persons
425.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that personnel understand the needs and rights of the
homeless and to establish procedures to guide officers during all contacts with the homeless,
whether consensual or for enforcement purposes. The Delano Police Department recognizes that
members of the homeless community are often in need of special protection and services. The
Delano Police Department will address these needs in balance with the overall mission of this
department. Therefore, officers will consider the following when serving the homeless community.
425.1.1 POLICY
It is the policy of the Delano Police Department to provide law enforcement services to all members
of the community, while protecting the rights, dignity and private property of the homeless.
Homelessness is not a crime and members of this department will not use homelessness solely
as a basis for detention or law enforcement action.
425.2 HOMELESS COMMUNITY LIAISON
The Chief of Police will designate a member of this department to act as the Homeless Liaison
Officer. The responsibilities of the Homeless Liaison Officer include the following:
(a) Maintain and make available to all department employees a list of assistance programs
and other resources that are available to the homeless.
(b) Meet with social services and representatives of other organizations that render
assistance to the homeless.
(c) Maintain a list of the areas within and near this jurisdiction that are used as frequent
homeless encampments.
(d) Remain abreast of laws dealing with the removal and/or destruction of the personal
property of the homeless. This will include:
1. Proper posting of notices of trespass and clean-up operations.
2. Proper retention of property after clean-up, to include procedures for owners to
reclaim their property in accordance with the Property and Evidence Policy and
other established procedures.
(e) Be present during any clean-up operation conducted by this department involving the
removal of personal property of the homeless to ensure that the rights of the homeless
are not violated.
(f) Develop training to assist officers in understanding current legal and social issues
relating to the homeless.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Homeless Persons - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department