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Date: 06/28/95 Revision: 04/21/14 Reviewed: 04/03/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 536.01 Page: 1 of 2 SUBJECT: HONORARY DEPUTY PROGRAM I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define guidelines for the Honorary Deputy Program. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to members of the Honorary Dep uty Program and the Community Services Section of the Community Outreach Division . III. DISCUSSION : It is the intent of the Sheriff to recognize a cross section of our society, who supports the community and the efforts of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's O ffice. This pro gram is similar to the Federal Government’s Volunteers in Police Service Program (VIPS). The VIPS program provides resources to assist local law enforcement officials by incorporating community volunteers into the activities of the law enfor cement agencies . For this reason, the Honorary Deputy Program was created. IV. DEFINITION : Honorary Deputy - A civilian acting in a non -sworn capacity within the scope of the duties and responsibilities as provided herein for the purpose of contributing to the Sheriff 's Office in a time of need. V. QUALIFICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: A. Citizens who are interested in becoming an Honorary Deputy should complete an applicati on form, locate d in the Community Outreach Division Office. Members of the Sheriff’s Office who are familiar with the applicant may endorse them in writing. Their endorsement will be attached to the application and will become a part of their application . A th orough back ground check will be conducted, followed by an interview with a Crime Prevention Supervisor. B. Applicants who successfully complete the application and interview will be recommended to the Sheriff and/or Chief Deput ies for the ir consideration. The appointment of an Honorary Deputy is at the discretion of the Sheriff and/or Chief Deput ies and is valid for the current term of the appointing Sheriff. VI. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : A. Members of the Honorar y Deput y Program are under the supervision of a nd directly accountable to the Community Outreach Division Commander . B. All Honorary Deputies shall be required to participate in an initial training program. C. Members of the Honorary Dep uty Program may: 1. In the case of natural disasters, be called upon to assist in non -law enforcement duties (e.g. assisting injured, staffing of an emergency GEN 536.01 04/21/14 Page 2 of 2 communications center, etc.). They will work under the direct ion of the Crime Prevention Supervisor o r designee. 2. Be called upon to obtain a pulse or reading from the community so a pulse report may be initiated pursuant to Standard Operating Procedure 119.01 (Civil Unrest ). 3. Members can r equest to participate in the Citizen Observer Program more often than once per year . Honorary Deputies shall be required to complete a Release and Indemnity Agreement Form each time they participate in the C itizen Observer Program. Honorary Deputies shall abide by GEN SOP 148.00 regarding dress, assignment, conduct, supervision, and the indemnity agreement. 4. Members of the Ho norary Deputy Program will be eligible to particip ate in The Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program upon completion of specified training. VII. IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND BADGES : A. Honorary Deputies must keep their identification cards on their person while performing duties for t he Hillsborough County Sherif f's Office. B. Honorary Deputy badges are considered optional and may be displa yed for the purpose of identification only for duties directly related to the Sheriff's Office. C. Misus e of Honorary Deputy badges m ay constitute dismissal from the Honorary Deputy Program, at will of the Sheriff. Chad Chronister Sheriff Amends or Supersedes :