MIDDLE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 MIDDLE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure SOP #179 # OF PAGES: 6 SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS IN POLICE SERVICE/INTERNS PROGRAM EFFECTIVE DATE: November 30 th, 2011 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: REVISION DATE PAGE # Nov. 30, 2011 BY THE ORDER OF: Police Chief Christopher Leusner SUPERCEDES ORDER #: SOP #179 issued March 6 th, 2011 I. Purpose: It is the purpose of this policy to establish a "Volunteers In Police Service/Interns" (VIPS/Interns) program in the Middle Township Police Department. This policy will also govern the recruitment, training and supervision of the volunteers, interns and community service workers. II. Policy: It is the policy of the Middle Township Police Department to have volunteers/interns and community service workers who will assist the department in providing quality service to its residents and others who call upon it in time of trouble or need. It is also the policy of this department that these volunteers/interns and community service workers will receive the training necessary to efficiently accomplish tasks assigned to them. VIPS/Interns and Community Service Workers will be supervised by Unit Supervisors and a Program Coordinator. III. Definitions: A. VIPS/Interns: Volunteers In Police Service/Interns: 1. A non-paid, non-sworn member of the police department assigned to perform 1

2 tasks that will aid and support the delivery of police services to the public. B. Unit Supervisor: 1. A person, regardless of rank, who directly supervises the VIPS. The task or duties assigned to the VIPS/Interns will determine who will be the VIPS Unit Supervisor. C. Program Coordinator: 1. A person responsible for recruitment, screening, initial training and placement of the VIPS/Interns. He or she will maintain records and periodically report to the Chief of Police about the program s progress. D. Approved VIPS/Interns Position: 1. A task or duties identified by Unit Supervisors and approved by the Chief of Police for VIPS/Interns assignment. E. Community Service Workers (CSW) IV. Procedures: 1. People who are sentenced through the Municipal Courts for diorderly offenses and then referred to the Probation Office to be enforced. Said person(s) are to work off hours that have been issued to them, based on the severity of their offense. A. Recruitment: 1. VIPS will be recruited from the community. Interns will be selected from candidates referred to the Middle Township Police Department by Atlantic Cape Community College. The Program Coordinator will utilize the news media, website, and other suitable resources. B. Application: 1. Interested parties will be directed to obtain an application from the Chief s Office. Intern applicants will make an application to Atlantic Cape Community College. 2. Completed applications will be returned to the Chief s Office and forwarded to C.I.D. where a detailed background investigation will be conducted, on the same level as that of a police officer. 3. Applicants will then be contacted and invited to attend an orientation program. C. Orientation: 2

3 1. The applicants will be introduced to the program and offered an opportunity to ask questions. D. Approved VIPS Position: 1. Members of the department s supervisory staff may submit a letter of need to the Program Coordinator who will review it and forward same to the Chief of Police. E. Training: a. The letter of need will specify the task or duties to be conducted by the VIPS/Interns and provide an explanation of the advantages of having a VIPS/Interns assigned to this task, rather than an officer or paid employee. b. In most cases the supervisor submitting the letter of need will become the VIPS Unit Supervisor. 1. The Program Coordinator will instruct the VIPS/Interns during orientation and provide an introductory training session during which the VIPS/Interns will be given department Rules and Regulations and Code of Ethics. F. Conduct of the VIPS/Interns: 1. The VIPS/Interns will adhere to all the Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics and General and Special Orders of the department. 2. The VIPS/Interns will observe prescribed work hours and attire. 3. VIPS/Interns must not release or in any way divulge sensitive or confidential information. G. Duties of the Unit Supervisor: 1. The Unit Supervisor has direct first-line supervisory control over the VIPS/Interns assigned to him or her. 2. The Unit Supervisor will provide on-going training and feedback to the VIPS/Interns. 3. The Unit Supervisor will complete a quarterly evaluation on each VIPS/Interns under his or her command. 4. The Unit Supervisor must remember at all times that the VIPS/Interns, although un-paid and un-sworn, are members of the department. As such they are to be treated with dignity and respect. 3

4 I. Duties of the Program Coordinator: 1. The Program Coordinator is responsible for the implementation and day-to-day management of the program. 2. The Program Coordinator will place the volunteer in a particular job based on the need of the department, skills of the volunteer and any preference the volunteer may have expressed. 3. The Program Coordinator will collect and maintain the VIPS/Interns evaluations and regularly report to the Chief of Police on their progress and that of the program. 4. The Program Coordinator will also attempt to mediate any disputes or problems which arise between the VIPS and the Unit Supervisor. J. General guidelines for the volunteer: 1. A VIPS applicant must be at least 21 years of age. An intern applicant must be at least 18 years of age. 2. A VIPS/Interns applicant must be able to pass the police department background investigation. 3. Hours of Service: The hours a volunteer will work will be established between the Unit Supervisor and the volunteer. A volunteer must contact the Unit Supervisor if they are unable to report to work. 4. VIPS/Interns will receive an employee identification badge which must be worn while the volunteer performs assigned tasks. The badge is not to be worn outside of the department unless on assignment. 5. VIPS will have assigned tasks and are not to deviate from those tasks unless told to do so by the Unit Supervisor. K. Community Service Program 1. Duties/Tasks: a. There are no set job restrictions from Probation as to the duties and tasks assigned to the CSW. Examples of tasks to be completed are as follows but not limited to: 1) Washing/cleaning of Police Department motor vehicle fleet. 2) Litter Patrol throughout the Township. 3) Set up and clean up details before and after public events (i.e. Harvest Festival, parades). 4) Graffiti cleanup details. 4

5 2. Procedures for obtaining CSW s a. The designated officer overseeing the Community Service Program (CSP) will submit a work plan to the Chief of Police. The work plan will outline the tasks that need to be completed, and the number of CSW s needed for said job. The Chief of Police will then approve or deny the work plan. b. Upon the work plan being approved, the designated officer will then complete the following: 1) Contact Probation Office and speak to the supervisor of the CSP at that time (609) to submit the workplan. 2) In turn, it is at the burden of the CSW to obtain transportation to any and all worksites. 3) Before any tasks are completed a safety brief will be given to all CSW s. 4) When CSW s are assigned, they will report for service with a white index card supplied by Probation. This card is the CSW s time sheet and is to be kept on his/her person and is to report to CS with said time sheet. The time sheet is to have the following information on it: a) Name, address, date of birth, phone number(s), offense, and number of hours sentenced. b) The designated officer is to log and initial on the index card the hours that have been worked. c) Once a month at the end of every month, Probation will mail or fax at the request of the agency, a monthly time sheet for all CSW s. The designated officer will have to log all of the hours worked for the month of each worker and then return time sheet to Probation (mail, fax, or hand deliver) in a timely manner. 3. CSW s are to be supervised at all times by sworn Police Personnel. a. A case number will be generated for every work detail. 4. The size of the job will determine the number of officer s needed for supervision. 5. On any large scale worksites, Probation will assign Probation Officer s to assist in the supervision of CSW s at the agency s request. 6. No show/problem CSW s: a. It is this Agency s policy that any behavior issue will not be tolerated and will cause for immediate dismissal of the problem CSW. If a worker is no longer wanted due to the above, it is the policy of Probation to immediately take the CSW off of the program and assign a new CSW to our agency. b. If an attendance issue arises, the designated officer may attempt to contact and locate the CSW. If attempts by Officer are unsuccessful, Probation will also attempt to contact the CSW at the request of the agency and have that worker provide the agency with the reason for the attendance issue. 7. Juvenile CSW s 5

6 a. It is Probations policy as well as this Agencies policy that no juvenile workers will be on any work details with adult CSW s. 9. Injuries/Illnesses a. If a CSW is injured while assigned to this agency, the following are to be done: 1) If warranted, immediately contact emergency services for the CSW. 2) Contact the Supervising Probation Officer immediately and advise them of the incident for medical claims (609) ) An Operations Report will be submitted to the Chief of Police as well as Probation. 4) In the event of any minor injuries or illness, Probation recommends that the CSW be sent to Urgent Care for Treatment. 5) The CSW is to provide Probation with the bill of medical services rendered. 6) Probation will then make a report of the incident in their office. 7) The CSW will have to provide this agency with a copy of their medical clearance and/or any sick notes before returning to any work details. This document will be kept in the CSW s file. 10. CSW Insurance coverage: a. Any and all CSW s assigned to this agency are covered under CHUBB Federal Insurance Company and claims are to be forwarded to the Supervising Probation Officer (609)