273689

Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Volunteer Program - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Volunteer Program 341.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE It is the policy of this Department to use qualified volunteers for specified tasks and duties in order to create efficiencies for the Department and improve services to the community. Volunteers are intended to supplement and support, rather than supplant, sworn officers and civilian personnel. Volunteers can be an important part of any organization and are proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies. Volunteers help to increase depa rtmental responsiveness, delivery of services and information input, and provide new program opportunities. In addition, volunteers bring new skills and expertise to the Department and prompt new enthusiasm. 341.1.1 DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER An individual who perfor ms a service for the Department without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered. This may include unpaid chaplains, interns, persons providing administrative support and youth involved in a law enforcement Explorer Post, among others. 341.2 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT 341.2.1 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR The Police Department Volunteer Coordinator shall be supervised by the Community Affairs Unit Supervisor. The function of the Police Department Volunteer Coordinator is to provide a central coordinating point for effective volunteer management within the Department, and to direct and assist staff and volunteer efforts to jointly provide more productive services. The Police Department Volunteer Coordinator should work with other Department staff on an ongoing basis to assist in the development and implementation of volunteer -staffed positions. The Police Department Volunteer Coordinator, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for the following: (a) Recruiting, selecting and training qualified volunteers for various positions. (b) Facilitating the implementation of new volunteer act ivities and assignments. (c) Maintaining records for each volunteer. (d) Tracking and evaluating the contribution of volunteers. (e) Maintaining the volunteer handbook and outlining expectations, policies and responsibilities for all volunteers. (f) Maintaining a record o f volunteer schedules and work hours. (g) Completion and dissemination as appropriate of all necessary paperwork and information. (h) Planning periodic recognition events. Policy 341 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Volunteer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Volunteer Program - 2 (i) Administering corrective action when warranted. (j) Maintaining liaison with other volunteer -utilizing programs in the community and assisting in community -wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering. The Police Department Volunteer Coordinator will not be responsible for the Friends of Santa Monica Animal Shelter Corporation. The Public Services Administrator in charge of the Animal Control Unit shall be responsible for the listed administrative duties in Santa Monica Policy § 342.2.1 (a) through (j) and the supervision of the Friends of Santa Monica Animal Shelter Corporation. 341.2.2 RECRUITMENT Volunteers should be recruited on a continuous and ongoing basis consistent with department policy on equal opportunity nondiscriminatory employment. A primary qualification for participation in the application process should be an interest in, and an ability to assist the Department in serving the public. Requests for volunteers should be submitted in writing by interested staff to the Police Department Volunteer Coordinator through the requester's i mmediate supervisor. A complete position description and a requested time -frame should be included in the request. All parties should understand that the recruitment of volunteers is enhanced by creative and interesting assignments. The Police Department V olunteer Coordinator may withhold assignment of any volunteer until such time as the requesting unit is prepared to make effective use of volunteer resources. 341.2.3 SCREENING All prospective volunteers should complete the volunteer application form. The Voluntee r Coordinator or designee should conduct a face -to-face interview with an applicant under consideration. A documented background investigation shall be completed on each volunteer applicant and shall include but not limited to the following: (a) Local, state, and national criminal history background check. Fingerprints shall be obtained from all applicants and submitted to the California Department of Justice (Penal Code § 11105.05; Penal Code § 1110 5.002). (b) Traffic history check (c) Employment (d) References (e) Credit check A polygraph exam may be required of each applicant depending on the type of assignment. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Volunteer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Volunteer Program - 3 341.2.4 SELECTION AND PLACEMENT Service as a volunteer with the Department shall begin with an official notice of acceptance or appointment to a volunteer position. Notice may only be given by an authorized representative of the Department, who will normally be the Police Department Volunteer Coordinator. No volunteer should begin any assignment until they have been officially accepted for that position and