Policy Text
Page 1 of 4 General Order 6-15 (12/19/23 )
POLICING P LAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND RESTRICTED USE OF THE JAMES RIVER
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: POLICING PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND RESTRICTED USE
OF THE JAMES RIVER
Chapter
6 Number
15 # Pages
4
References:
CALEA Standards: N/A
Code of City of Richmond - Sections 8-265, 8-266, 8-280, 26-
382, 26 -383 & 66-312
Related Orders: Effective Date: 12/19/2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 12/30/20
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the policy and procedure for policing the City’s
playgrounds, parks and other recreation areas, including the James River.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This General Order is due for review . Richmond City code § 8-280 has been referenced in
this policy.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to pr ovide a safe and secure
environment for patrons of the City’s playgrounds, parks and other recreation areas, including
the James River , through patrol and enforcement of the city codes.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully compl y with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this general order. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action.
Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations of policy are
investigated and appropriate t raining, counseling and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or care in
an ev identiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if
proven, can only f orm the basis of a complaint by this department and then only in a non-
judicial administrative setting.
V. PROCEDURE
A. Patrolling the City’s Parks, Playgro unds and Other Recreational Areas:
Page 2 of 4 General Ord er 6-15 (12/19/23 )
POLICING PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND RESTRICTED USE OF THE JAMES RIVER 1. In each Precinct , the assigned sector officer shall be responsible for patrolling the
parks, playgrounds and recreational sites located in their sector area.
2. Requests from outside the Department for intensified po lice patrols at any
playground or park facility will be referred to a supervisor in the Precinct where the
affected playground, park or recreational site is located.
B. Hours of Operation of Parks/Penalty for Violations:
All public parks, playgrounds and recr eational areas of the City shall be open at
sunrise and close at sunset each day of the year except those listed below. (See
Richmond City Code § 8 -280.) Violations shall constitute a Class 4 Misdemeanor.
Exceptions:
1. Ancarrows Boat Ramp (open for fishing and boat launching/retrieval only, after
dark at all hours. Relevant gear must be evident and persons outside of cars.)
2. Mountain bikers with headlights and helmets may cross James River Park areas on
foot paths after dark on the way to retrieve vehicles from parking lots. This also
applies to commuter traffic to and from work.
C. Occupancy at Other Times:
1. All lighted recreational facilities , such as seasonal recreation centers,
playgrounds, ball diamonds, tennis courts, park houses and other lighted
recreational areas , shall open at sunrise and close at sunset .
2. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities or designee may
issue permits or other forms of written authorization to allow individuals to use
any recreation or park site at other t imes than ordinarily would be allowed. In
addition, the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities or designee
may also close any recreation or park site at anytime, provid ed that reasonable
notice of the fact and the duration of the closin g are given to the public.
3. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a police officer of the City or State,
an employee of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
acting in the scope of employment, or any other City employee actin g in the
scope of employment and having an authorization from the Director of Parks,
Recreation and Comm unity Facilities to go on, into or to occupy a public park,
playground or recreation facility or area during hours that it is officially closed.
A cop y of such authorization shall be forwarded to the Officer -In-Charge (OIC)
of the affected Precinct in which the recreational area is located.
D. Restrictions for Other City Parks, Playgrounds and Other Recreational Areas:
Where posted, signs shall indicat e what the prohibitions are for that area.
E. Procedure for Excluding Persons from any City Park, Playground or Recreational
Facility:
Page 3 of 4 General Ord er 6-15 (12/19/23 )
POLICING PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND RESTRICTED USE OF THE JAMES RIVER In accordance with the provisions in the City Code § 8-265, “Every person who ceases
to be amenable to efforts o f any City representative to secure good conduct