04-009 Volunteers on Patrol

VOLUNTEERS ON PATROL

PURPOSE

This Directive will establish procedures regarding the monitoring and supervision of Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) as they perform their duties in the field.

BACKGROUND

VOPs are citizens of the community who provide a minimum of 16 hours of their personal time, per month, to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by performing non-hazardous patrol duties.  VOPs represent the Department while conducting these tasks and perform their duties in volunteer uniforms.  As such, it is necessary to provide them with resources and proper monitoring to ensure their safety.

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

All VOPs shall be issued a portable radio, assigned a call-sign, and be included on the station’s “Daily In-Service” for the purposes of being monitored and supervised by Department supervisory personnel.  Prior to beginning their shift duties, all VOPs shall provide station desk personnel with vehicle information (when applicable), portable radio information, and expected areas of patrol during their shift.  VOPs shall utilize the “X” MDT Alpha Personnel Classification code, when applicable.

Volunteers on Patrol have various responsibilities, primarily non-hazardous duties, which are currently being performed by patrol deputies.  The program allows patrol deputies to perform the more hazardous duties they have been trained to do, thus helping our Department better achieve its goal of serving the community.  Listed below are some examples of VOP duties:

• Patrolling the community for criminal activity or safety hazards;
• Residential Vacation Checks;
• Business Safety Checks;
• Assisting Disabled Persons;
• Park and School Safety Checks;
• Graffiti Watch;
• Non-Hazardous Directed Patrol Assignments;
• Requests from City/County Services;
• Search for Missing Children;
• Exterior Shopping Mall Check;
• Fire Watch;
• Traffic Control;
• Writing Disabled Parking Citations;
• Phone/Welfare Checks on residents confined to their homes; and
• Transit Watch - Foot/Vehicle Patrol.

VOPs shall not engage in any enforcement duties.  VOPs can assist field units with traffic control by blocking lanes and monitoring traffic, however, shall not direct traffic.

WATCH SERGEANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Watch Sergeants are responsible for ensuring that VOPs are properly monitored and supervised throughout the shift as well as accounted for on the station’s “Daily In-Service.”

UNIT COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Unit commanders are responsible for developing and implementing training and review processes to ensure strict compliance with this Directive.

REFERENCES

Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 3-09/270.00 Civilian Volunteer Program