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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: March 10, 2017  Amends SO 74.0 (September 14, 2012) Number: 74.0 Distribution: All VPEU Personnel Review Month: January Reviewing Authority: SOD / Traffic Subject: Volunteer Park ing Enforcement Unit (VPEU) This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Definition 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for Volunteer Parking Enforcement Unit members in the performance of their volunteer duties. 2. Definition A. Chemical Agent IPD (Individual Protection Device) - An aerosol spray agent approved by the agency for carry and use. B. Volunteer Parking Enforcement Officer - a citizen volunteer in a part -time non -sworn capacity who enforces county park ing ordinances and other assigned duties without compensation. 3. Procedures A. Duties The Traffic Section Commander or designee shall coordinate all operational and administrative responsibilities of the Volunteer Parking Enforcement Unit. Volunteer Parking Enforcement Unit personnel assigned shall assist law enforcement in community service functions, parking enforcement, traffic control, funeral escorts, sobriety/safety checkpoints, and safety checkpoints or any other operation as directed by the Traff ic Section Commander or designee. Additional duties may be assigned by the Traffic Section Commander or designee. B. Organization 1. The Parking Enforcement Officers shall be organized into squads. The supervisor shall be responsible for the overall manag ement of the Parking Enforcement Unit. 2. The Parking Enforcement supervisor shall appoint Parking Enforcement Officers to serve in administrative capacities to carry out Parking Enforcement Unit duties. These positions may be squad leaders, assistant squad leaders, field training officers, officer -in-charge or other names commensurate with the duties assigned. 74.0, Page 2 of 8 C. Records 1. Personnel and training records will be maintained in accordance with agency directives. 2. Statistical records detailing Parking En forcement Officer activities will be maintained by the unit supervisor or designee. 3. The unit supervisor or designee shall maintain monthly information relating to recruitment and applications of personnel for the program. This information will include , but not be limited to: a. Allocation and distribution of personnel, which will include the number of volunteers available and hours, worked in the program. b. Logistical functions such as personnel, vehicles, or equipment use, procurement, distribution, maintenance, and replacement. 4. All members are responsible for properly recording their hours worked and actions taken and for the timely submission of the data to the unit supervisor or designee. D. Uniforms 1. Members of the program shall not be equ ipped with, carry, or have access to weapons or handcuffs. Prior to being issued Chemical Agent IPD, the Parking Enforcement member shall comply with agency policy regarding training. 2. Personnel are expected to present a neat, clean and orderly appeara nce. 3. The agency will provide uniforms to members of the program as may be required for the fulfillment of their duties. The uniform will be clearly distinguishable from that of the uniform worn by sworn members of the agency. a. The issued shirt/trous er will conform to current agency policy concerning volunteer uniforms. b. The uniform will have a silver badge, which does not incorporate a five point star. c. Shoulder patches will clearly differ from those of sworn personnel. d. The prescribed and issu ed uniform will be the only acceptable attire for members of the program while on duty. e. Members shall not wear any item of the uniform when not on duty. They may wear the uniform when traveling directly to and from their residence to their assigned dut y station. f. Members shall be issued appropriate agency credentials. g. Members who choose to carry the issued Chemical Agent IPD shall wear the holder and spray on their duty belt. The Chemical Agent IPD will not be carried when not in uniform. 74.0, Page 3 of 8 h. As di rected by the Parking Enforcement Supervisor or designee, Parking Enforcement Officer members may be issued agency equipment (e.g. portable radio, flashlight, traffic vest, etc.) to support parking enforcement operations. i. The Parking Enforcement Supervi sor or designee shall confirm that all Parking Enforcement Officer members are trained in the use of agency issued equipment and shall confirm that all such training is properly documented and maintained. j. Parking Enforcement Officer members shall expedi tiously report the loss of or damage to agency identification cards or equipment to the Parking Enforcement Supervisor, who shall complete the necessary and appropriate written documentation. E. Application Process 1. The agency volunteer coordinator shal l confirm that all applications are acknowledged within five (5) working days. 2. No application will be rejected due to an omission or error that can be corrected. 3. The agency volunteer coordinator shall: a. Conduct background and criminal history che cks on Parking Enforcement Officer applicants through the Background Unit in Human Resources Division. The agency volunteer coordinator shall approve or disapprove Parking Enforcement Officer applicants based in part on the results of the background inves tigation and an interview by the unit supervisor. b. Confirm that admission or rejection of applicants is in accordance with agency directives. 4. Qualifications All volunteers shall meet the following minimum requirements for membership: a. Must be twenty -one years of age or older. b. Must