G.O. 28
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
NUMBER: GO - 28
SUBJECT: CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 19, 2000
REVISED: AUGUST 1, 2022
GENERAL ORDER
CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
GO – 28 PAGE 1 OF 2
I. PURPOSE:
It is the policy of the Longwood Police Department to utilize civilian volunteers in law
enforcement-related support services. Civilian volunteers serve as a valuable resource in
emergencies and in supplementing the day-to-day operations of the Longwood Police
Department.
II. SCOPE:
Civilian volunteers do not receive monetary compensation for their assistance in
Longwood Police Department activities. Volunteer service is rendered out of a spirit of
community pride and teamwork by assisting Longwood Police Department employees in
providing quality law enforcement service.
III. GENERAL:
A. Civilians may be enlisted from the community by agency personnel due to their
interest in providing assistance to the Longwood Police Department.
B. Civilians who desire to assist the Longwood Police Department must first file an
application with the Department. As part of their application, applicants will be:
1. Fingerprinted;
2. Photographed; and,
3. Asked to furnish driver's license information.
C. All applicants must successfully pass a background records check, including a
criminal history check.
GENERAL ORDER
CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
GO – 28 PAGE 2 OF 2
D. Once the background is completed and the volunteer is approved, the
Department shall assist with the placement of the volunteer within the Longwood
Police Department.
E. Civilian volunteers, once placed, will work under the supervision of the
supervisors or managers of the area to which they have been assigned.
IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Civilian volunteers will recognize at all times that they do not have law
enforcement powers and have no legal authority as a law enforcement officer.
B. Civilian volunteers are assigned to non-tactical law enforcement support services.
Typically, volunteers may be asked to perform a variety of tasks relative to:
1. Clerical support;
2. Filing and/or typing;
3. Telephone answering and message taking;
4. Assisting with community relations programs;
C. Volunteers wear civilian clothing that does not resemble issued uniforms in any
way. Volunteers will provide all clothing at their own expense. They will not be
issued uniforms, nor are they eligible to receive clothing allowances.
D. Volunteers are issued a Longwood Police Department identification tag that will
be worn whenever they are working in the Longwood Police Department or
representing the Department in an official capacity. The identification tag will be
issued by the Department and will be returned to the Department when the
volunteer is no longer associated with Longwood Police Department.
E. Civilian volunteers will be trained (indoctrinated) in those areas in which they will
be asked to assist prior to assuming duties in those areas.
1. Training may be given to volunteers by any competent employee who has
a function over the task which the volunteer is being asked to perform.
2. If the function is governed by an agency written directive, the volunteer
will be familiarized with that directive, up to and including being issued a
copy for their own referral.
3. Training conducted in accordance with this section will be documented
on a training roster.