Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 01/24/201 1 12/01/201 8 12/01/2020
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
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815 - Police Volunteer Program 1 POLICY 815 POLICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
815.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
It is the policy of the Tustin Police Department to use qualified volunteers for specific tasks and
duties in order to create efficiencies for the department and improve services to the commun ity.
Volunteers are intended to supplement and support, rather than supplant, sworn and civilian
personnel. Volunteers are an important part of the organization and have proven to be a valuable
asset to law enforcement. Volunteers help to increase departm ental responsiveness, delivery of
services, and information input, and provide new program opportunities. In addition, volunteers
bring new skills and expertise and renewed enthusiasm to the department.
815.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section perta ins to the following CALEA Standards: 16.4.1, 16.4.2, 16.4.3 , 45.3.1 , 45.3.2 ,
45.3.3
This policy pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
815.1.2 DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER
A volunteer is an individual who performs a service for the department without promise,
expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. This may include unpaid
Chapl ains, interns, persons providing administrative support, and youth involved in a law
enforcement Explorer Post, among others.
815.2 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Tustin Police Department utilizes volunteer personnel to perform a wide variety of
departmental and community service assignments to support the day -to-day operations of the
department, assist the agency, and to benefit the citizens of Tustin.
Tustin Police Vol unteers are not sworn officers and have no powers of arrest beyond those of any
private person. Volunteers do not carry firearms or weapons of any kind, and are prohibited from
contacting, detaining, or arresting suspicious persons and/or criminals.
815.2 .1 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Volunteer Coordinator shall be appointed by the Professional Standards Division
Commander. The function of the 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 Volunteer Coordinator should
work with other department staff on an on -going basis to assist in the development and
implementation of volunteer -staffed positions.
The Volunteer Coordinator, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for the following:
a) Recruiting, selecting and training qualified volunteers for various positions ;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 01/24/201 1 12/01/201 8 12/01/2020
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____ _____________________
815 - Police Volunteer Program 2 b) Facilitating the implementation of new volunteer activities and assi gnments ;
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 of volunteer sche dules and work hours ;
g) Completin g and disseminati ng as appropriate all necessary paperwork and information;
h) Planning periodic recognition events ;
i) Administering discipline when warranted ;
j) Maintaining liaison with other volunteer -utilizing programs in the com munity and assisting
in community -wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering.
815.3 VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION
Police Volunteers should be recruited on a continuous and ongoing basis consistent with
department policy on equal opportu nity 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. Police Volunteers must be of sound mind and morale character,
and free from affiliation with criminals or personal criminal history that would indicate
incompatibility with department membership.
All Tustin Police Department Volunteers must be “authorized Volunteers”. This means they must
have successfully complete d the following steps:
a) Application ;
b) Personal history statement ;
c) Live scan fingerprint check ;
d) Background investigation ;
e) Oral interview ;
f) Complete and sign a “Volunteer Participation Agreement .”
815.3.1 TRAINING AND ACADEMY
Service as a volunteer shall beg in with an official notice of acceptance or appointment to a
volunteer position. Notice should be given by an authorized representative of the department,
normally the Volunteer Coordinator. No volunteer should begin any assignment until they have
been off icially accepted for that position and have completed all required screening and
paperwork. At the time of final acceptance, each volunteer shall receive a copy of the Volunteer
Handbook and shall be required to sign a Volunteer Participation Agreement.
Due to the nature and variety of Volunteer assignments, the agency recognizes that special
training is necessary to provide Volunteers with the knowledge, skill and ability to perform their
duties in a safe, competent, and professional manner. All Voluntee rs are encouraged to attend
the Citizen Academy, CERT, or other department program in order to provide an overview of the
department and law enforcement processes, as well as specific information about Volunteer roles
and assignments.
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