Policy Text
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GGEENNEERRAALL OORRDDEERR 55..55
TITLE: Volunteers in Policing (VIP)
INDEXING: Volunteer in Policing Program
ISSUED: 08/26/10 REVISED: 4/29/2024 RESCINDS: 04/09/2018
C.A.L.E.A. STANDARDS: 45 PAGES: 8
CONTENTS
This general order contains the following sections:
I. Definitions
II. Procedures
PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish a Volunteers in Policing program for the Fort Myers Police
Department, define the volunteers’ role and describe the scope of duties and responsibilities, limitations of
authority, and guidelines for operation of the programs. (CALEA 45.3.1)
SCOPE
These procedures shall apply to all Fort Myers Police Department personnel.
DISCUSSION
The Fort Myers Police Department Volunteer in Policing Program is designed to enhance the department’s
service delivery by allowing enthusiastic, dependable, committed people to work alongside full time
members of the department.
Volunteers in Policing perform several invaluable services: They act as “goodwill ambassadors” for the
department, serve as additional “eyes and ears” for full time members and serve in clerical and support
roles.
The Volunteers in Policing Program is staffed by persons who volunteer their time to work without
compensation. The program allows for citizens who wish to serve their community to do so in the public
safety arena and those citizens will be used to supplement and complement, but not replace paid staff.
In order to provide for continuity in the use of Volunteers in Policing to perform or enhance the services
provided to the public, it is necessary to establish basic guidelines for Volunteers in Policing. All Volunteers
in Policing are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the Fort Myers Police Department.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Fort Myers Police Department to prohibit the assignment of Volunteers in
Policing to any duties requiring sworn officer status. (CALEA 45.3.1 a) Volunteers in Policing shall be
utilized for day to day clerical and support functions, and to assist law enforcement related community
service functions as needed.
G.O. 5.5 Volunteers in Policing 1 o f 8 04/29/2024\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nSECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
CJSTC: Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. The official body that regulates criminal
justice training and certification.
Community Engagement Bureau: The Community Engagement Bureau Captain shall serve as
coordinator of the entire volunteer program. However, nothing shall prohibit the supervision of volunteer
members from being diversified throughout the agency to better suit the needs of the agency and the
citizens.
Program Liaison: A volunteer, appointed by the Community Engagement Bureau Captain or Chief of
Police who is responsible for assisting with the coordination, scheduling and other duties of the program.
Volunteer in Policing: A volunteer in policing is a non-paid citizen of the United States who is willing to
volunteer their time in a specific area of the police department. The volunteer in policing, while not an
employee, is an agent of the police department and will be treated with respect and courtesy. Volunteers
in policing must express a desire in a particular area of the police department function and the apparent
ability to assist the department in that area. (CALEA 45.3.1)
SECTION II: PROCEDURES
A. Volunteers in Policing Qualifications:
1. All Volunteers in Policing must meet the following qualifications:
a. Applicants must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.
b. Applicants must be of good moral character.
c. Possess a valid Florida driver’s license.
d. Be a citizen of the United States.
e. Not have a significant history of prior unlawful or immoral conduct involving
moral turpitude, perjury, a false statement, or have received a dishonorable or
undesirable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. This
does not include minor traffic infractions; however, the decision to approve or
deny a Citizen Volunteer application shall rest with the Chief of Police.
f. Applicants must have on file a completed, processed application.
g. Applicants shall have the mental and physical capacities to perform the
functional requirements of assigned duties.
2. Members of the Fort Myers Police Department are not eligible to participate in the
Volunteers in Policing Program.
B. Volunteers in Policing Processing and Selection:
1. Volunteers in Policing are appointed by the Chief of Police.
2. Applicants shall:
a. Obtain an application from the Human Resources Department or Fort Myers
Police Department.
b. Be subject to a criminal history check as determined by the department.
G.O. 5.5 Volunteers in Policing 2 o f 8 04/29/2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\n3. If a criminal history check establishes the applicant has a significant history of prior
unlawful or immoral conduct, the applicant will not be appointed. If the information
comes to light after appointment, the volunteer shall be terminated.
C. Volunteer in Policing Organization:
1. The FMPD Volunteers in Policing Program is coordinated by the Community
Engagement Bureau Captain, or designee.
2. All Volunteers in policing shall be subject to supervisory control and follow the
designated chain of command the same as any regularly compensated employee.
FMPD organization, command, and control are described in applicable FMPD
Standard Operating Procedures.
3. The Community Engagement Bureau Captain may request a program volunteer to
assist with coordination and other aspects of the Volunteers in Policing Program. This
individual shall act as a liaison between the volunteers and the Community
Engagement Bureau Captain or designee. The volunteer liaison shall handle the day-
to-day program administration details such as scheduling, assignments, and other
duties.
4. Volunteers in Policing shall not hold any rank.
E. Authority: (CALEA 45.3.1 b)
1. Civilian Volunteers in Policing may only act within their delineated authority and shall
perform only those duties enumerated herein and for which they have received
training.
2. Civilian Volunteers in Policing may be restricted from performing any function at any
time by direct order of the Chief of Police, his designee, or the FMPD personnel under
whom they are functioning under the direct span of control.
3. A Civilian Volunteer in Policing may perform traffic direction without immediate
supervision, provided however, that supervisory control is exercised by a certified
officer with a reasonable span of control and the Civilian Volunteer in Policing has
received appropriate training in traffic control.
F. Duties: (CALEA 45.3.1 b)
1. The Community Engagement Bureau Captain or designee shall coordinate the
allocation and distribution of volunteers. This duty may be delegated to the program
liaison.
2. Volunteers in policing are expected to assist when called upon.
3. Volunteers in policing shall be assigned to positions that augment the Department’s
ability to provide services.
4. Volunteers in policing may be assigned to assist civilian members with clerical tasks
without restriction. Clerical duties are described as data entry, routine typing, filing,
copying and answering phones.
5. Volunteers in policing may be assigned to assist police officers with clerical duties
within the following guidelines:
G.O. 5.5 Volunteers in Policing 3 o f 8 04/29/2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\na. Volunteers in policing may perform only those tasks they are specifically
trained to perform.
b. The Volunteers in policing shall not carry or have access to personally owned
or Department issued weapons or physical restraint devices.
c. Volunteers in policing shall not be involved in the physical movement or
security of prisoners or suspects at any time.
6. A volunteer in policing may be assigned to assist in performing duties in other support
functions, based on his/her skills, interests and specific training.
7. Volunteers in poli