CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE GENERAL ORDER 106.00 Cancels: 106.00 Rev 1 Index as: August 7, 2009 Reserve Officers Training, Reserve Officers Weapons, Reserve Officers Command, Reserve Officers 106.00 PURPOSE POLICE RESERVE OFFICER PROGRAM The purpose of this General Order is to establish the Maryland Heights Police Reserve program, its organization, duties, operation and training of officers. (16.3.1) 106.01 AUTHORITY The police reserves are established pursuant Maryland Heights Ordinance Section 21.501 through 21.507, to provide a pool of volunteer, trained personnel to assist regular police officers in the performance of certain police duties. Selection criteria for reserve officers are the same as that for full-time officers. Reserve officers are subject to the same licensing, policies, procedures and values that govern the conduct of full time officers of the Maryland Heights Police Department. (16.3.2) 106.02 ELIGIBILITY To qualify for acceptance as a member of the police reserve unit, applicants must: A. Be no less than twenty-one (21) years of age. B. Possess an Associate s Degree or equivalent. C. Be a resident of the State of Missouri, residing within thirty (30) miles of the Maryland Heights Police Department Headquarters. D. Be in good health and physical condition at all times. 1. Be able to pass a department medical examination upon appointment the same as full time officers. 2. Be able to pass a psychological examination upon appointment the same as full time officers. 3. Weight must be commensurate to height. 1

E. Not have had a conviction for any felony. F. Possess a valid Missouri Operator's License. G. Successfully pass a background investigation the same as for full time officers. H. Possess an honorable discharge from the armed services (if applicable). I. Possess a Missouri Class A POST License 106.03 PROCESSING AND SCREENING OF APPLICANTS A. The Commander of Support Services is the Reserve Unit Commander. He is responsible for the administration of the police reserve unit and will be responsible for the issuing and processing of all reserve police applications. After completing a city application form, all reserve officer applicants will be interviewed by the Reserve Unit Commander, who will inform the applicant of the eligibility, training and duty requirements of the position. B. If the applicant is purported to possess the eligibility requirements, he or she will be provided with a reserve police applicant form and upon completion it will be returned to the Reserve Unit Commander. C. After the return of the application, the Reserve Unit Commander will review it to determine if the applicant meets all of the eligibility requirements and forward the package to the Detective Bureau for the candidates background investigation. At that time, the candidate will be required to provide copies of the following documents: 1. Birth certificate. 2. Valid Missouri Operator's or Chauffeur's license. 3. Honorable Discharge Form (DD-214) if applicable. 4. High school diploma or GED certificate. 5. Associate Degree diploma or equivalent 6. Proof of citizenship 7. Missouri Class A POST License or proof of graduation from a Missouri POST approved police academy providing at least 840 hours of basic police recruit training. 106.04 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION A. A thorough background investigation will be conducted by, a detective to determine fitness for appointment. The same background investigation process for full time officers will be used for reserve officers. B. A written summary report of the results of the completed background investigation will be made by the detective forwarded with recommendations to the Reserve Unit Commander. The Reserve Unit Commander will make a recommendation to the 2

Chief of Police. The final decision to appoint or reject the applicant will be made by the Chief of Police after his review of the applicant's qualifications and evaluation of the Reserve Commander's summary report. 106.05 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (16.3.3) Individuals accepted for appointment to the police reserve unit must possess a Missouri Class A Police Officer License from the Missouri Police Officer Standardized Training (POST) Commission prior to appointment. Newly hired reserve officers shall complete the following training: A. The new reserve officer will be assigned a Field Training Officer (FTO) for a period of not less than sixty (60) hours. 1. During the initial ten (10) hours of training the FTO will acquaint the new reserve officer with the procedures of the Maryland Heights Police Department. This will entail the coverage of the police manual, reserve paperwork for monthly records, street manual and driving about the city in order to become familiar with the boundaries. 2. The next thirty (30) hours will be devoted to radio, patrol, and duty procedures that are expected of the reserve officer by this department. During this period some in-service training will be started with the training films in the department library. 3. The next ten (10) hours will be devoted to any problem areas that may have arisen or any clarifications that the new reserve officer may have need in. 4. The final ten (10) hours will be devoted to the radar certification of the reserve officer and a written evaluation by one of the reserve supervisors. B. Final approval before allowing the new reserve officer to ride with a full time officer requires successful completion of the field training program and endorsement of the Reserve Unit Commander. C. Newly appointed reserve officers shall continue to be accompanied by a full time officer for the following six-month period. At the completion of the six month evaluation period, the Reserve Unit Commander shall prepare a memorandum to the Chief of Police recommending the reserve officer to be granted the authority as outlined in Police Manual Rule 106.07 or to be re-evaluated for additional training. D. Newly appointed reserve officers who have prior full time police experience may be accelerated through the field-training program provided they demonstrate knowledge and ability to perform tasks required of reserve officers. 3

E. Reserve officers receive in-service training equivalent to that statutorily required for full-time officers performing like functions. This includes the Missouri State POST 48-hour continuing education requirement. (16.3.5) 106.06 RESERVE OFFICER CLASSIFICATIONS A. LICENSED RESERVE OFFICERS: Reserve officers possessing Class A POST licenses have the same sworn authority as full time officers possessing Class A POST licenses. Their duties and authority may be limited by department policy. Reserve officers must maintain a minimum of 240 hours of service per year in order to keep their license active. 1. Licensed reserve officers may be granted, at the direction of the Chief of Police, full or partial police powers of the regular commissioned force. Presently, the Chief of Police has authorized that licensed reserve officers will be granted authority to: a. Make arrests based on probable cause for on view crimes. b. Patrol in a one-man car. c. Issue parking tickets, warning tickets and issuance of Missouri Uniform Traffic Summons. d. Be assigned as the assist unit on radio assignments. B. No reserve officer shall be appointed or retained as a sworn officer who has not completed equivalent basic police academy training as do full time officers unless the reserve officer possess a Class A Missouri POST license. 106.07 OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS A. Reserve officers must serve a minimum of twenty (20) hours per month. 1. On approval of the Reserve Unit Commander, reserve officers are permitted to average his or her hours per month over a three-month period. 2. Each Reserve Officer is required to work at least one Municipal Court session as Bailiff each month. This will be a paid detail. 3. Reserve officers are limited to no more than a total of eighty (80) hours per month. Any reserve officer wishing to exceed the eighty hours limit must submit a written memorandum to the Reserve Unit Commander for approval on a monthly basis. B. Reserve officers who have completed field training and who have met the minimum 20 hours volunteer service per month and Court Bailiff requirements will be allowed to work uniformed secondary employment within the City of Maryland Heights with approval of the Chief of Police. 4

C. All reserve officers, while off duty, may carry their badges and identification cards; however, any displaying or flashing of the badge and/or identification card may result in disciplinary action and possible termination from the police reserve unit. D. Reserve officers, are not authorized to carry any firearm while off duty on their person except that the reserve uniform and firearm may be worn to and from a tour of duty, or department approved secondary employment, a maximum of one hour travel time is allowed. Reserve officers wearing their uniforms and sidearm to and from duty are to do so in a direct manner without unnecessary exposure to the general public. G. Reserve Officer s who possess a Missouri Conceal Carry Permit may carry a concealed weapon under the authority and restrictions of the permit. 106.08 AUTHORIZED WEAPONS A. Reserve officers must provide their own personal 9mm or.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Authorized firearms and training are specified in GO 216.00. Reserve officers will be required to receive the same firearms training as full time officers. Qualifying standards and scores for reserve officers will be identical to those for regular officers. (16.3.6) B. Reserve officers are authorized to carry and use department approved less-lethal weapons as defined in General Order 410.00 providing they meet annual training requirements with the approved less-lethal weapon(s). C. All reserve officers must review the Maryland Heights Police Department General Orders and Special Orders and sign a department form indicating that they have read and fully understand the rules and policy therein. C. Before being permitted to carry a firearm or less-lethal weapon, all reserve officers must undergo a training course in the use of department-approved weapons at a location designated by the Maryland Heights Police Department. Training will be conducted by a certified department range officer and certified less-lethal weapons instructor. On completion of the training course and range qualification, the range officer or instructor will indicate in writing the name of the reserve officer(s) who successfully completed the course. The report will also indicate those reserve officers who, either through lack of attendance or lack of ability, have not passed the firearms course. Reserve officers who fail the training course will not be permitted to carry a firearm or less-lethal weapon and will not participate in uniform as a reserve officer until remedial training is performed and a passing score is obtained. All reserve weapons training will be maintained in the department weapons training database. 106.09 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT The Chief of Police will determine the uniform of the reserve police unit. All reserve officers will comply with all orders pertaining to "Uniform and Appearance,"except that: 5

A. All reserve personnel will wear the regulation uniform and related equipment only when on duty or traveling to or from a duty assignment. B. Each reserve officer will be issued the following items of clothing and equipment: 1. One winter coat, one jacket, two trousers, two long sleeve shirts, two short sleeve shirts, and one raincoat 2. One inner belt, one pistol belt, one holster, and one handcuff with key and handcuff case. 3. Ballistic vests, while not issued to reserve officers, are available for loan during the reserve officer s tour of duty. C. The reserve police breast badge will be of the same design as that of the commissioned employees except that the wording "Police Officer" will be replaced with the words "Police Reserve." 106.10 RESERVE OFFICER CHAIN OF COMMAND A. On-Duty: All reserve police officers, while on duty, are under the direct supervision of commissioned police officers and they must follow the department's chain of command. B. Within the Reserve Unit: The Reserve Unit Commander will have a Commissioned Sergeant as an Assistant Commander and will designate a reserve officer to the position of Administrative Officer who will report directly to the Assistant Commander. Squad supervisors will report to the Administrative Officer, or in his absence, the Assistant Commander who will then report to the Commander. 1. The Reserve Unit Commander will designate up to three squad supervisors from the reserve ranks and all matters within the reserve unit should be submitted through this supervisor. 2. The squad supervisors will submit a monthly report to the reserve Administrative Officer reflecting the performance of each reserve officer under his or her supervision who will submit it to the Assistant Commander. 3. The Assistant Reserve Unit Commander will prepare a monthly report to the Chief of Police outlining the performance of the unit. 106.11 EVALUATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS All reserve officers will be evaluated on the same forms and in the same manner as full-time commissioned officers. The Support Services supervisor is responsible for insuring that 6

evaluations on reserve officers are completed as required. An employee evaluation form will be completed for reserve officers as follows: A. After 30 days on the job. B. After 90 days on the job. C. After six months on the job. D. After nine months on the job. E. Annually on the anniversary date of hire. F. When requested by the Chief of Police. 106.12 CONDUCT, DISCIPLINE, COMPLAINT PROCEDURE AND TERMINATION All members of the Police Reserve Unit will be subject where applicable to the same rules and regulations of the department as commissioned employees of the department. A. Reserve officers are citizen volunteers and as such can be removed from their position at will by the Chief of Police without cause and without hearing. Each member will have a thorough understanding of all orders, rules and regulations, manuals, and additional written directives that may be related to his or her conduct or duties. B. Watch commanders or acting watch commanders will prepare an employee warning record on a reserve officer for misconduct and forward same to the Assistant Reserve Unit Commander for the purpose of discipline record keeping and future evaluation. C. The watch commander or acting watch commander may at his discretion forward a memorandum to the Reserve Unit Commander or Assistant Commander outlining a reserve officer's unsatisfactory performance of duties. D. Citizen complaints and all Employee Misconduct Reports will normally be investigated by the Reserve Unit Commander, who will forward the findings of his internal investigation to the Chief of Police for his consideration. By order of: CALEA Standard: 16.3.1, 16.3.2, 16.3.3, 16.3.5, 16.3.6 MPCCF Certification: 11.1 Distribution: All Department Personnel COLONEL WILLIAM CARSON Chief of Police 7