301918

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: August 10, 2012  Amends - SO 79.0 (May 4, 2011) Number: 79.0 Distribution: All COP Personnel Review Month: February Reviewing Authority: SSD / Community Relations Subject: Citizens On Patrol This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for all Citizens on Patrol members in the performance of their volunteer duties. 2. Procedures A. Duties 1. Citizens on Patrol ( COP ) members are not sworn officers and have no law enforcement authority. At no time and under no circumstances will members identify themselves as law enforcement officers or represent themselves in any context that might lead persons to bel ieve that they have law enforcement authority. Each member shall act as the “eyes and ears” for the agency in their own community . 2. The primary functions of the COP program include, but are not limited to, these duties in their assigned neighborhood: a. Observing for possible criminal activity or persons needing assistance b. Increasing visible patrols in the neighborhood c. Reporting suspicious or criminal activity d. Enforcing parking ordinances when appropriate e. Providing assistance to the public 3. Additional duties will be determined by the Sheriff or designee . B. Organization 1. The COP shall be organized according to the needs of each community. A neighborhood team leader will be assigned in each community and shall act as the liaison between the COP volunteers and the agency . Volunteers shall follow chain of command to confirm consistency with the program. The agency COP Coordinator will be a non-sworn member of the agency and is responsible for the daily operation of the volunteers. 2. The COP Co ordinator (s) respon sibilities shall include, but ar e not limited to: a. The daily operation of the volunteers. b. Acting as liaison between the agency and volunteers. 79.0, Page 2 of 8 c. Maintaining data reflecting the monthly work product of COP members assigned to them. d. Scheduling all mandatory training as required by the agency. e. Reporting to the Community Relations Section Lieutenant any special needs or concerns involving the COP program and its volunteers. 3. The Team Leader shall: a. Act as a liaison between th e coordinator and volunteers. b. Review and turn in all paperwork to the coordinator on a monthly basis. 4. Volunteers shall: a. Patrol their respective neighborhoods and/or community. b. Complete required paperwork. c. Schedule their own patrol hours. d. Check the Community Relations Section Internet Bulletin Board for crime information prior to starting patrol. e. Enforce parking ordinances after being trained by the Traffic Section and approved by the Section Commander. Parking enforcement may be condu cted in their respective neighborhoods, in authorized special details, or in areas identified by the Sector Captain or Lieutenant. Any parking citation issued will be reflected in the monthly statistics. f. Not conduct any other parking enforcement action without the approval of the Community Relations Section Commander. g. Be available to assist patrol in directing traffic at an accident scene or special event if needed. COP Coordinators shall confirm volunteers are trained in directing traffic and that a reflective vest is issued to all personnel. h. Be available to assist with any special detail they as requested. C. Records 1. Personnel and training records will be maintained in accordance with agency directives. 2. The Community Relations Section COP Coordinator shall maintain all statistical records detailing the daily/monthly activities of the program. 3. The Community Relations Section COP Coordinator shall maintain copies of monthly information relating to recruitment and applications of personnel for the program. 4. All members are responsible for properly recording their hours worked and actions taken and for the timely submission of the data to their team leader. D. Uniforms 1. Members of the program shall not be equipped with, carry, or have access to weapons, handcuffs or chemical spray of any type. 79.0, Page 3 of 8 2. If members elect to carry agency issued chemical spray, they may after successfully completing all agency required training. 3. Personnel are expected to present a neat, clean and orderly app earance. 4. The agency shall provide two (2) collared shirts, windbreakers and ball caps to members of the program as may be required for the fulfillment of their duties. Volunteers will be responsible for providing their own shoes, and shorts or pants of a neutral color, i.e. beige, tan or white. a. The prescribed and issued clothing will be the only acceptable attire for members of the program while on duty. b. Members shall not wear their issued clothing when not on duty, except when traveling directly to and from their residence to their assigned area of patrol. c. Members will be issued appropriate agency credentials. E. Application Process 1. No application will be rejected due to an omission or error that can be corrected. 2. The COP Coordinator shall: a. The COP Coordinator shall confirm that all applications are acknowledged within five (5) working days, b. Conduct reference checks on COP applicants. c. Review applications for completeness and send to Human Resources for background and criminal history ch ecks. d. If applicable, schedule applicant for Voice Stress Analysis, non -sworn physical and fingerprint