Policy Text
Policy
359Fremont Police Department
Volunteer Program
359.1 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
professional employees. 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.
359.1.1 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,interns, persons providing
administrative support and youth involved in a law enforcement Explorer Post, among others.
359.2 POLICY
The Fremont Police Department shall ensure that volunteers are properly appointed, trained, and
supervised to carry out specified tasks and duties in order to create an efficient department and
improve services to the community.
359.3 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
359.3.1 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.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentVolunteer Program - 1
Fremont Police Department
Volunteer Program
(g)Completion and dissemination as appropriate of all necessary paperwork and
information.
(h)Planning periodic recognition events.
(i)Administering discipline when warranted.
(j)Maintaining liaison with other volunteer-utilizing programs in the community and
assisting in community-wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering.
(k)Assist with the recruitment of volunteer advisors, who have oversight of specific
programs (i.e. explorers, VIPS).
359.3.2 RECRUITMENT
Volunteers should be recruited 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.
Officer 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.
359.3.3 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 limited to the following:
(a)Local, state, and national criminal history background check. Fingerprints shall be
obtained from all applicants and submitted to the California Department of Justice
(Penal Code § 11105.05; Penal Code § 11105.002).
(b)Traffic history check
(c)Employment
(d)References
A polygraph exam may be required of each applicant depending on the type of assignment.
359.3.4 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 DepartmentDepartment, 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
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentVolunteer Program - 2
Fremont Police Department
Volunteer Program
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.
359.3.5 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