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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: February 17, 2012  Amends - SO 88.0 ( November 30, 2009 ) Number: 88.0 Distribution: VMPU Personnel Review Month: February Reviewing Authority: SOD / Specialized Patrol Subject: Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit (VMPU) This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit Members in the performance of their volunteer duties. 2. Proc edures A. Duties 1. The Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit is comprised of volunteers who serve without compensation in a non -sworn capacity to augment agency components. Mounted Posse members utilize horses and support personnel during search and recovery opera tions of missing persons, limited natural disaster search operations, search for articles of evidentiary value, parades and other demonstrations of search and rescue operations . Additional duties may be assigned . B. Organization 1. The Mounted Patrol Uni t supervisor or designee shall be the program coordinator responsible for the daily operation of the Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit and shall act as liaison between the Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit and the agency . 2. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor shall appo int Volunteer Mounted Posse members to serve in the following capacities and perform the following duties. a. Civilian Posse Coordinator shall: 1. Be responsible for the overall supervision of Volunteer Mounted Posse volunteers. 2. Act as liaison between t he agency and squad members. 3. Be ava ilable by Nextel/cell phone . 4. Coordinate the daily activities of the posse. 5. Plan training and events. 6. Attend training, events and call -outs. 7. Meet with the mounted patrol supervisor. 8. Work with sworn and c ivilian members of posse. 88.0, Page 2 of 7 b. Assistant Civilian Posse Coordinator shall: 1. Assist Civilian Posse Coordinator in the day -to-day operations of the Volunteer Mounted Posse squads. 2. Be available by Nextel/cell phone access . 3. Take over in the event of the Coordinator’s absence. 4. Assist in training horses and personnel 5. Attend training, events and call -outs 6. Have proven horsemanship skills and abilities C. Uniforms and Equipment 1. Members of the program shall not be equipped with, carry, or have acce ss to firearms while on duty . Prior to being issued chemical spray the civilian volunteers shall comply with agency policy regarding training. 2. Posse members shall wear the appropriate class uniform when deployed as directed by the Mounted Patrol super visor or designee. a. Class A: Formal long sleeve gray shirt and riding pants uniform. b. Class B: Uniform short sleeve gray and riding pants uniform. c. Class C: Polo short sleeve gray and riding pants uniform. d. Class D: Training shirt and blue jean s or riding breeches. Personnel are expected to present a neat, clean and orderly appearance. 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 distinguishab le from that of the uniform worn by sworn members of the agency. a. The issued shirt/trouser will conform to current agency policy concerning volunteer uniforms. b. The uniform will have a badge, which does not incorporate a five - point star. c. Shoulder pa tches will clearly differ from those of sworn personnel. d. The prescribed and issued 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 th e uniform when traveling directly to and from their residence to their assigned duty station. f. Members will be issued appropriate agency credentials. g. Members who choose to carry issued Individual Protection Device (IPD) shall wear it on their duty bel t. The IPD will not be carried when not in uniform. h. The agency shall issue an identification card clearly marked “Mounted Posse“to all Mounted Posse members. i. As directed by the Volunteer Services liaison or designee, Posse members may be issued agen cy equipment (e.g., portable radio, compass, rope etc.) to support Posse operations. j. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor or designee shall confirm that all 88.0, Page 3 of 7 Posse members are trained in the use of agency issued equipment and shall verify that all such training is properly documented and maintained. k. Posse members shall expeditiously report the loss of or damage to agency identification cards or equipment to the liaison officer, who shall complete the necessary paperwork. D. Application Process 1. The Sheriff ’s Volunteer Coordinator shall: a. Conduct background and criminal history checks on Volunteer Mounted Posse applicants. The agency coordinator shall approve or disapprove Volunteer Mounted Posse applicants based in part on the results of the background i nvestigation and an interview by the Mounted Patrol Unit supervisor or designee . b. Confirm that admission or rejection of applicants is in accordance with agency directives. 2. Qualifications a. All volunteers shall meet the following minimum requiremen ts for membership: 1. Must be eighteen years of age or older. 2. Must own a horse that is Mounted Posse qualified and have adequate transportation . 3. Must live in Orange