go-41.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Volunteer Program CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 41 05/15/2003 11/15/2024 11 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES COT Administrative Policy 705, Alcohol and Drugs General Order 2, Chain of Command – General Management General Order 4, Appearance and Uniform Regulations General Order 46, Rules of Conduct General Order 77, Computer and Data Utilization ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 16 KEY WORD INDEX Application Process Procedure III Discipline/Separation From Volunteer Program Procedure VIII Objective and Purpose of Program Procedure I Placement, Training, and Retention Procedure IV Qualifications Procedure II Unit Supervisor Responsibilities Procedure VI Volunteer Coordinator Responsibilities Procedure V Volunteer Responsibilities Procedure VII POLICY In an effort to improve efficiency and services to the community, the Department has established a volunteer program which utilizes qualified persons in support of the Department’s mission. Volunteers perform specified tasks and duties which supplement and support the work of Department employees. Members are responsible for adhering to the protocols of this written directive in support of the Volunteer Program.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEFINITIONS Member: Any employee or volunteer of the Department. Volunteer: A person who performs services for the Department without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. Volunteer Coordinator: A member (employee or volunteer) who serves as a central coordinating point (Background & Recruiting supervisor) PROCEDURES I. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE A. The objective of the volunteer program is to provide the Department with assistance from those looking to gain knowledge in a particular field of interest and contribute to the needs of the department. 1. Volunteers can be an important part of any organization and are proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies. 2. Volunteers can bring new skills and expertise to the job and prompt new enthusiasm. 3. Volunteers are involved in a wide range of administrative, clerical, and technical duties throughout the Department. B. This written directive establishes the Department’s utility and management of the volunteer program and provides guidance on the program’s management and administration. C. Volunteers supplement the efforts of Department employees but are not sworn officers. II. QUALIFICATIONS A. A person’s primary qualification for participation in the volunteer program is an interest in, and an ability to assist the agency. B. Persons interested in becoming a volunteer are required to contact the volunteer coordinator and if there is availability then complete an application and submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator (VC) along with a Personal History Statement (PHS) GENERAL ORDER 41 PAGE 2 of 11 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM NOVEMBER 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT C. Persons who apply for a volunteer assignment in order to fulfill a court- mandated community service requirement, or hours for a school requirement, will not be accepted into the volunteer program. D. Persons interested in becoming a volunteer must commit to a minimum of 16 hours of volunteer service per year. E. In order to be selected, a volunteer must meet the following qualifications and submit to a background investigation: 1. Be a citizen of the United States, 2. Be eighteen (18) years of age or older, 3. Have at least a high school diploma or GED, 4. Be of good moral character, 5. Not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, 6. Not have been convicted or pled no contest, or had adjudication withheld to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Florida, 7. Not have used or possessed marijuana in the past one (1) year. 8. Not have illegally used or possessed any controlled substance within the past 7 years and NO sale of controlled substance history is permitted. 9. Have on file with the Department a completed, processed application, and 10. Be able to perform the essential functions required of assigned duties. F. The background investigation may include, but is not necessarily limited to: 1. Employment and/or military history and status, 2. State and national criminal history records (FCIC/NCIC), 3. Local criminal history records (JIS), GENERAL ORDER 41 PAGE 3 of 11 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM NOVEMBER 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 4. Department intelligence records, G. Notwithstanding the mandate of subsection E 6 above, any criminal history revealed in the background investigation will be reviewed and taken into consideration in the selection decision of the prospective volunteer. H. The Department reserves the right to deny a person participation in the volunteer program if it is determined the person’s participation in the program will, or will likely: 1. Bring discredit or harm to the City of Tallahassee, the Department, members, or the policing profession, or 2. Adversely affect the harmony among members in the workplace. III. APPLICATION PROCESS A. A person wanting to become a volunteer with the Department should contact the Volunteer Coordinator (VC). B. After conducting a brief initial screening (telephone or in-person), and there is availability in the field the person is interested in, the VC will provide the applicant the volunteer application along with the PHS. C. The potential volunteer must complete the application and PHS and return it to the VC. D. After receipt of the application and PHS, the VC will assign the application to a background investigator for a background check. E. If the applicant successfully completes the background process, they will be notified of a date to report to the department to meet their supervisor and discuss what work will be expected. F. Contemporaneous to the volunteer’s start of service, the VC or their designee, is responsible for providing the person with: 1. Copies of general orders applicable to their volunteer service, such as: a. GO-4 (Appearance and Uniform Regulations), b. GO-41 (Citizen and Policing Program), GENERAL ORDER 41 PAGE 4 of 11 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM NOVEMBER 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT c. GO-46 (Rules of Conduct), and d. GO-77 (Computer and Data Utilization). G. The VC will ensure the new volunteer receives an ID/access card with the appropriate level of access based on where the volunteer is assigned. IV. PLACEMENT, TRAINING, AND RETENTION A. The success of the volunteer program is directly related to the supervision of the volunteers. B. Unit supervisors are responsible for ensuring a planned, specific job is ready and waiting for each volunteer when they arrive at their workstation. C. PLACEMENT – 1. Volunteers will be placed in assignments based upon the needs of the department and availability at the time of request. 2. Volunteers will be placed in assignments based on their interest and availability. D. TRAINING – 1. The unit supervisor, or designee, shall provide orientation and policy training specific to the volunteer’s assignment. 2. Volunteers shall receive periodic training as deemed appropriate by their unit supervisor. E. RETENTION – 1. The Department accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding such service may be terminated at any time, for any reason. 2. A volunteer may resign at any time but should provide advance notice whenever possible. 3. Volunteers shall not be placed into any job assignment without first consulting the VC. GENERAL ORDER 41 PAGE 5 of 11 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM NOVEMBER 15, 2024\n\n--- Page 6 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 4. Volunteers shall be supervised by the sworn or civilian supervisor of the unit to which they are assigned. 5. The affected unit supervisor is responsi