Policy Text
Ref: CALEA Standard 16.4.1-3 DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER O-8 20 May 99
Index as: Chaplaincy Coordinator Chaplaincy Program Volunteer Youth Chaplaincy Program Youth Intervention Program
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VOLUNTEER YOUTH CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
The purpose of this order is to set forth objectives, requirements for participation, assignment and training of qualified Volunteer Youth Chaplains and to prescribe the responsibilities of the Youth Services Division, Community Services Division and the Oakland Police and Clergy Together, Inc. (OPACT) in administering this program.
I. OBJECTIVES
The Volunteer Youth Chaplaincy Program is designed to: A. Assist at risk youth in the City of Oakland in identifying positive alternatives to negative peer pressure.
B. Provide mentoring/direction to children 7 - 18 years of age.
C. Lend support to the child’s parent/guardian as needed.
II. APPLICATION AND SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
A. The applicant must:
1. Be over 18 years of age.
2. Be endorsed by a recognized ecclesiastical body or other recognized faith community. The person is not required to be licensed or ordained but must be approved by the faith community for youth chaplaincy/mentoring.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER O-8 20 May 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
3. Have no convictions for felonies or sex-related offenses.
4. Possess a valid unrestricted California driver’s license or be eligible to receive one by the date of appointment, if the individual will operate a vehicle for transportation.
5. Possess current individual medical and auto insurance coverage.
B. Qualified applicants must pass the following:
1. Oral and Personal History Questionnaire interviews.
2. Background investigation developed for the Volunteer Youth Chaplaincy Program.
3. Ecclesiastical endorsement review.
4. Oakland Volunteer Youth Chaplain Academy.
C. Appointment to the position of Volunteer Youth Chaplain.
1. Qualified persons may be recommended by OPACT to the Chief of Police for appointment as Volunteer Youth Chaplains. The appointment of qualified persons to the position of Volunteer Youth Chaplain is at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
2. Upon appointment by the Chief of Police, the Volunteer
Youth Chaplain will be issued an identification card and certificate of appointment. The identification card will remain the property of the Oakland Police Department and must be surrendered to the Chief of Police or his designated representative upon demand.
III. ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING
A. The Volunteer Youth Chaplaincy Program shall be administered by the Commander of the Youth Services Division and the
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER O-8 20 May 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Department’s Chaplain Coordinator (CC), who is a member
assigned to the Community Services Division.
B. The CC shall conduct an academy consisting of a minimum of 40
hours of youth chaplaincy related training for all approved prospective Youth Chaplains. Youth Chaplains must complete the training course before they are placed in a mentoring assignment.
C. Volunteer Youth Chaplains shall be required to participate in continuing education in order to retain their status as chaplains in the program. This training will be provided by the Department. Additional training may be approved by the CC.
D. Volunteer Youth Chaplains may participate in ride-alongs with Oakland Police Department personnel.
E. Volunteer Youth Chaplains who detect or suspect an incident of child abuse or neglect are required to report such incidents in accordance with state law.
IV. DUTIES OF THE VOLUNTEER YOUTH CHAPLAIN
A. Volunteer Youth Chaplains shall make every attempt to arrange their
schedules so that they may:
1. Attend court visits with their assigned child and the child’s
parent/guardian.
2. Attend the probation hearings of their assigned child.
3. Make in-home service visits/telephone calls to their assigned child.
4. Make school checks (when appropriate) on their assigned child.
5. Accompany their assigned child to Police Activities League (PAL) events and other activities.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER O-8 20 May 99
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. Requests or activities other than those listed above must be approved
in advance by the Chaplain Coordinator.
V. REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
The Volunteer Youth Chaplain: A. Is not a law enforcement officer, and shall not in any way interfere with an officer in the performance of his/her duties.
B. Shall properly identify him/herself when on duty and/or at the PAB, and shall be courteous and conduct him/herself in accordance with the provisions of the Oakland Police Department Manual of Rules.
C. Shall have a basic knowledge of the juvenile justice system and the Youth Services Division policies and procedures. He/she must be willing to attend training sessions and programs conducted by the Police Department.
D. Shall maintain the personal privacy of any child assigned to them for mentoring. Such privacy is not privileged communication (confidential) under Evidence Code Section 1034 unless he/she is a duly ordained minister and all conditions of the section have been met. In no case are matters of child abuse protected as private or confidential and must be reported immediately in accordance with state law.
E. Shall not conduct any overnight activities with children assigned to
them unless it is part of a sanctioned Youth Intervention Program activity approved by the CC (e.g., overnight ski trip, camping at PAL camp).
VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
A. The Volunteer Youth Chaplaincy Program operates under the
guidelines set forth by the constitution and by