81

Date: 02/19/07 Revision: 06/29/22 Reviewed: 08/21/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: GEN 204.05 Page: 1 of 8 SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER CITIZEN PATROL PROGRAM I. PURPOSE : The purpo se of this s tandard operating proced ure is to define recruitment and screening guidelines, selection criteria, rules , and regulations for the Sheriff's Office Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program (VCPP) . II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff’s Off ice personnel and VCPP applicants and participants . III. DISC USSION : It is widely recognized some basic law enforcement function s can be carried out by personnel other than certified la w enforcement officers . In addition to Sheriff’s Office civilian employee s and unpaid volunteers, the VCPP will contribute to the effective management of those functions. The utilization of Citizen Patrol Volunteers for basic duties will provide great benefit to the Sheriff’s Office and the community. IV. DEFINITION S: A. Citizen Pa trol Volunteer - A non -sworn VCPP volunteer employee who has no authority of arrest or detention, no authority to carry a weapon, and does not receive monetary compensation for services as defined by the National Fair Labor Standard s Act and Florida Statut es. B. Team Leader - A Team Leader is a specially selected member of the Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program who is given the responsibility of guiding new members in the program. C. Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program (VCPP) - A program utilizing volunteer citizens for administrative duties and/or certain patrol function s. D. Volunteer Coordinator - A sworn law enforcement deputy assigned to the Community Outreach Division who acts as director of the VCPP. The Volunteer Coordinator shall field questions concerning policies or procedures related to the VCPP and requests to utilize Citizen Patrol Volunteers for particular events or special details. V. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS : A. Pre-Application Screening - The Community Outreach Division shall perform this task in accordanc e with established procedures for prospective applicants for employment as set forth by the Recruitment and Screening Section . Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications: 1. Be at least 19 years of age. 2. Be a United States citizen. 3. Possess a v alid Florida driver’s license. 4. Pass a pre -employment fitness -for-duty evaluation. 5. All applicants are required to take and pass an alcohol /drug screening test as a condition of appointment. 6. Have no more than five moving traffic violations within the last three years and no more than eight moving traffic vi olations in a lifetime. 7. Have no illegal drug use within the last three years and have never sold drugs. GEN 204.05 06/29/22 Page 2 of 8 8. Pass a criminal background investigation with: a. No felony convictions. b. No misdemeanor con victions involving perjury, false statement , or domestic violence. 9. Have not received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States , National Guard, or State National Guard . * 10. VCPP positions will not be filled by applicants wishing to complete community service hours as a term of sentencing or to complete hours needed to fulfill school requirements . B. Position Requirements - Citizen Patrol Volunteers must: * 1. Devote a minimum of 12 hours per month to the VCPP. 2. Attend month ly VC PP meetings. The date, time, and locations of meetings shall be prearranged by the Volunteer Coordinator. C. Team Leader Requirements 1. Should be a member of the VCPP for no less than six months. 2. Must perform a minimum of 18 hours of patrol a month. 3. Must attend monthly meetings and any Team Lea der meetings. 4. Participate when new volunteers are in training ; attend training classes/graduation. VI. SELECTION PROCEDURES : A. Recruitment: 1. Local media shall advertise existing and projec ted vacancies via public service announcements . 2. VCPP positions will be posted on the Sheriff’s Office website. B. Selection Requirements - Applications for the VCPP shall be processed by the Community Outreach Division . Prospective Citizen Patrol Vol unteers must: 1. Successfully complete a training course . * 2. Receive a fit-for-duty clearance from a physician at the Sheriff’s Office Occupational Health and Wellness Center for participation in the VCPP. Citizen Patrol Volunteers must be able to: a. Perform various physical tasks . b. Speak clearly and have unimpeded verbal communication skills. c. Meet the Florida minimum visual standards for licensing in order to operate a VC PP vehicle , specifically: (1) Have vision better than 20/50 in either eye, wi th or witho ut corrective lenses. (2) Have v ision better than 20/70 in both eyes together, with or without corrective lenses . (3) If one eye is blind or the vision in one eye is 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better. (4) Have a field of vision of 130 degrees or better. 06/29/22 GEN 204. 05 Page 3 of 8 3. The ultimate selection of volunteer citizens