Policy Text
Policy
384Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentVolunteer Program - 1Volunteer Program
384.1 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 departmental 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.
384.1.1 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, interns, persons providing administrative
support and youth involved in the Explorer Post, among others.
384.2 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
384.2.1 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Volunteer Coordinator shall be appointed by the Special Services Captain. 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.
(g)Completion and dissemination as appropriate of all necessary paperwork and
information.
(h)Planning periodic recognition events.
(i)Administering discipline when warranted.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Volunteer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentVolunteer Program - 2(j)Maintaining liaison with other volunteer-utilizing programs in the community and
assisting in community-wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering.
384.2.2 RECRUITMENT
Volunteers should be recruited in a manner 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.
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.
384.2.3 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 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
A polygraph exam or credit check may be required of each applicant depending on the type of
assignment.
384.2.4 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 Department, 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 complete all
required enrollment paperwork. 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.
384.2.5 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.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Volunteer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentVolunteer Program - 3Volunteers 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 infer that they are sworn officers or other full-time members 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.
384.2.6 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,