Policy Text
Ref: CALEA
Standard
16.4.1-3
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER B-19 14 Oct 99
Index as:
Volunteers in Policing Program
Page 1 of 4
VOLUNTEERS IN POLICING PROGRAM
The purpose of this order is to set fort h objectives, requirements for appointment,
assignments and training of qualified vo lunteer candidates and to prescribe the
responsibilities of the units, within the Oakland Police Department, requesting their assistance. I. OBJECTIVE
The VIP program has been designed to combine the professionalism and experience of police department personnel, with the creativity and enthusiasm
of community volunteers in an effort to enhance police services by offering
volunteer opportunities within the Department to citizens. Volunteers do not
have peace officer status. Those wishing to be volunteer peace officers shall be
referred to the Reserve Coordinator.
II. APPLICATION AND SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
A. The applicant must: 1. Be 18 years of age or older.
2. Have no felony criminal convictions and no misdemeanors within three years.
3. Possess a valid unrestricted California driver's license or be eligible to receive one by the date of appointment if driving is a part of their duties. Volunteers who drive on duty shall be subject to the pertinent
provisions of City Administrative Instruction No.528, "Employee Loss of Required California Driver's License."
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-19 14 Oct 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. Qualified applicants must pass the following:
1. Oral and Personal History Questionnaire interviews
2. Background investigation (levels two and three).
III. ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING
A. The Volunteers in Police Program shall be the responsibility of the VIP
Coordinator assigned to the Community Services Unit.
B. The VIP Coordinator shall conduct, for all new volunteers, an academy
consisting of 10 hours of law enforcement related training. Additional training may be required by the unit in which the volunteer is assigned.
C. Volunteers classified as level three will be required to undergo additional
training consisting of report writing and police communications.
IV. DUTIES OF THE VOLUNTEER
Duties of the volunteer will vary according to their level of clearance and job assignments. There shall be three levels of clearance with increasing requirements.
A. The level one (1) volunteer shall be required to complete the VIP
application and be subject to a reference check. These volunteers may answer telephones, take messages, work as a receptionist and perform light administrative tasks. They are n~ pri vy to confidential information, nor
should they be allowed to enter any data including crime reports and statistics. These volunteers will be distinguished by an identification card
with the words "LEVEL 1 VOLUNTEER" printed and bordered in blue
and worn on the outer clothing.
B. The level two (2) volunteer shall be required to complete the VIP
application and undergo a partial back ground investigation which consists
of reference checks, FBI, DMV, C II, and warrant(s) checks. These
volunteers may answer telephones, take messages, shred confidential documents, purge files and complete typing and filing assignments. These
Page 2 of 4
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-19 14 Oct 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
volunteers will be distinguished by an identification card with the words
"LEVEL 2 VOLUNTEER" printed and bordered in yellow and worn on
the outer clothing.
C. The level three (3) volunteer shall be required to complete the VIP
application and a modified version of the Personal History Questionnaire
that is used for regular employ ees, undergo a complete background
investigation and be subject to all le gal checks used when hiring regular
employees. These volunteers may enter confidential data, take select crime reports, and do general office duties.
D. These volunteers will be distinguished by an identification card with the
words "LEVEL 3 VOLUNTEER" printed and bordered in red and worn on the outer clothing.
V. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
A. The Community Services Unit shall be responsible for the training, overall
supervision and assignment of all volunteers. Volunteers assigned to a regular unit will be directly supervised by the Unit's commander.
B. Under the direction of the Community Services Unit commander, the VIP
Coordinator shall:
1. Perform all administrative tasks related to the program.
2. Perform semi-annual program evaluati ons to ensure that the needs of
both the volunteers and the police department are being met.
3. Maintain volunteer personnel files.
4. The immediate supervisor of the volunteer will be required to submit a written performance evaluation annually.
VI. UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
When in a working capacity, all volunteers shall follow the guidelines set forth in Departmental General Order C-1, UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT, Part V, A, 2-3, Civilian Dress for Employees and Personal Appearance.
Page 3 of 4
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-19 14 Oct 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
VII. PROCEDURE FOR UNITS REQU ESTING VOLUNTEER SERVICES
A. Any unit seeking volunteer assistance shall complete a Request for
Volunteer Services form (TF-3056) lo cated in the Community Services
Unit.
B. The VIP coordinator shall match a volunteer with the needs of the
requesting unit and the appropriate appointment shall be made pending
results of the background investigation.
C. Any person interested in becoming a volunteer with the Oakland Police
Department must be directed to the Community Services Unit and follow the application process. No one shall be accepted as volunteer for any unit within the police department without knowledge of the VIP Coordinator.
VIII. REASONS FOR