Policy Text
Policy
341Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVolunteers In Policing Program - 1Volunteers In Policing Program
341.1 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, expedite
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.
341.1.1 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.
341.2 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
341.2.1 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Volunteer Coordinator shall be appointed by the Community Liaison Manager. 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 in collaboration with the Community Liaison Manager 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.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Volunteers In Policing Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVolunteers In Policing Program - 2(j)Maintaining liaison with other volunteer-utilizing programs in the community and
assisting in community-wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering.
341.2.2 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.
All Department personnel should understand that the recruitment of volunteers is enhanced
by creative and interesting assignments. The Volunteer Coordinator will routinely connect with
various units to identify potential volunteer assignments.
341.2.3 SCREENING
All prospective volunteers must complete the volunteer application form. The Volunteer
Coordinator and the Community Liaison Manager will conduct an interview (in person or virtually)
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
(e)A polygraph exam (CVSA)
341.2.4 SELECTION AND PLACEMENT
Service as a volunteer with the Department shall begin with an official notice of acceptance
or appointment into the Volunteers in Policing program. Notice may only be given by the
Volunteer Coordinator or Community Liaison Manager. No volunteer should begin any assignment
until they have been officially accepted into the program and completed all required screening
and paperwork. At the time of final acceptance, each volunteer should complete all required
Department and City enrollment paperwork and will receive a copy of the volunteer manual.
Volunteers should be placed only in assignments or programs that are consistent with their
knowledge, skills, abilities and the needs of the Department.
341.2.5 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.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Volunteers In Policing Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVolunteers In Policing Program - 3Volunteers will receive position-specific training to ensure they have adequate knowledge and
skills to complete tasks required by the position and will receive periodic ongoing training as
deemed appropriate by the Volunteer Coordinator or Community Liaison Manager.
Training should reinforce to volunteers that they may not intentionally represent themselves as,
or by omission infer that they are sworn officers or other employee 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.
341.2.6 FITNESS FOR DUTY
No volunteer shall report to work or be on-duty when his/her judgment or physical condition has
been impaired by alcohol, medication, other substances, illness, or injury.
Volunteers shall report to their supervisor any changes in status that may affect their ability