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G.O. 36 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER NUMBER: GO - 36 SUBJECT: CITIZENS ON PATROL EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 31, 2011 REVISED: NOVEMBER 1, 2023 GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 1 of 14 I. PURPOSE: This directive provides guidance and direction to members of the Citizens On Patrol program. II. SCOPE: The Longwood Police Department recognizes that the key to effective law enforcement is the involvement of the citizens of the City of Longwood. The mission of the Citizens On Patrol program is to perform crime watch activities that alert the Longwood Police Department of hazards and unlawful behavior; and, when required, to assist Longwood Police Department personnel in the performance of their duties. III. GENERAL: Members of the Citizens On Patrol program are expected to comply with the rules and procedures of this directive. IV. ORGANIZATION: A. The Citizens On Patrol program is assigned to and coordinated by the chief of police. B. The chief of the Citizens On Patrol is appointed by the chief of police and drawn from the existing members of the Citizens On Patrol program and is responsible to coordinate the efforts and scheduling of the Citizens On Patrol. C. Once accepted into the program, members will operate under the command of the chief of police via the chief of the Citizens On Patrol. D. Each member will be required to volunteer a minimum of twelve (12) hours per month unless excused by the Citizen On Patrol chief and will be monitored by GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 2 of 14 the Citizen On Patrol chief. Hours contributed may be in the form of patrol, administrative duty, attendance at meetings, training sessions and/or other approved activities. V. GENERAL DUTIES OF PROGRAM MEMBERS: A. To patrol designated areas of the City of Longwood observing and reporting suspicious incidents, people or objects; B. To perform house and property checks for business owners and homeowners on vacation; C. To assist stranded motorists; D. To report identifiable or potential hazards to the Longwood Police Department; and E. To assist the Longwood Police Department personnel, when requested. VI. QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP: To become accepted into the program applicants must: A. Complete an application for the Citizens On Patrol program; B. Be fingerprinted and photographed; C. Successfully pass a background records check, including a criminal history check; D. Possess a valid driver’s license with no excessive violation history; E. Be at least nineteen years of age; and a resident of Seminole County, a business owner within Seminole County, or an employee of a business within Seminole County. F. Successfully pass an oral interview, if required; and G. Complete a minimum 32 hour block of specialized Citizens On Patrol training; including a 4 hour evaluation and 12 hours of continuing education in COP related subjects during regular COP staff meetings. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 3 of 14 VII. STANDARD CODE OF CONDUCT: A. Should any member of the program violate any law or provision of this directive, they may be terminated from the program and become subject to civil or criminal liability. B. Citizens On Patrol members are civilian volunteers and not sworn law enforcement officers. They will not apprehend or pursue suspects, detain or interrogate persons, stop or pursue vehicles that have committed traffic violations. At no time and under no circumstances will they identify themselves as Longwood Police Department law enforcement officers. NOTE: Members who have successfully completed training in traffic crash investigation, parking enforcement, or the service of non-enforceable civil process may be given limited authority to perform these restricted duties. Any member who exceeds the scope of this limited authority may be terminated from the program and subject to civil or criminal penalties. C. Members of the Citizens On Patrol program are representatives of the Longwood Police Department and will conduct themselves in a way that will not bring discredit upon themselves, their community or the Longwood Police Department. D. While operating or riding in a Longwood Police Department vehicle, members will obey all traffic laws, and will wear their seat belts at all times. E. Members are prohibited from using their official position with the Longwood Police Department, including their identification cards, to secure privileges, solicit favors, or gratuities, for themselves or others from the public or from any business. Furthermore, members are prohibited from engaging in activities that constitute a conflict of interest. F. Program members will not use tobacco products when operating Longwood Police Department vehicles, working with the public or while in public view. G. No alcoholic beverages, prescription or non-prescription drugs that could cause drowsiness are to be used by members while on duty. Likewise, no member shall be under the influence of the aforementioned substances while on duty. H. Even if a concealed weapons permit has been issued to a civilian who is a Citizens On Patrol member, no weapons (firearms or non-lethal weapons) or physical restraints (handcuffs) of any kind will be carried, concealed, or used while on duty as a C.O.P. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 4 of 14 I. Citizens On Patrol members are prohibited from transporting passengers unless directed to do so by a Longwood Police Department supervisor. J. Media Relations Policy: To avoid the release of conflicting or inaccurate information, members of the Citizens On Patrol program, like the Longwood Police Department personnel, will strictly adhere to the following procedures if contacted by media representatives: 1. News pertaining to interpretation of the Longwood Police Department policy, disciplinary action(s), and projected needs of the Longwood Police Department or budgetary matters will be handled only by the police chief, his designee, or the public information officer. 2. In the event the public information officer is unavailable, the ranking law enforcement officer at a scene or in charge of an investigation will assume the responsibility for any release of information to the media. 3. If approached by media representatives, Citizens On Patrol members will direct them to one of the aforementioned persons. VIII. TRAINING: A. Citizens On Patrol members receive training in authorized and assigned duties described in this directive. Training includes: 1. Limitations of authority; 2. A review of previous Community Law Enforcement Academy training; 3. Orientation of appropriate police department written directives; 4. Explanation of the chain of command; 5. Use of the patrol vehicle, including safe vehicle operation; 6. Police department personal grooming standards; 7. General duty responsibilities; 8. First aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and A.E.D.; 9. Blood borne pathogens; GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 5 of 14 10. Vehicle maintenance procedures; 11. Traffic direction techniques/use of flares; 12. Communications/radio procedures; and 13. Reports and forms. IX. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: A. After completing the Citizens On Patrol training, a uniform and equipment approved by the chief will be worn while on duty; 1. Uniform and equipment will be provided by the Longwood Police Department at no cost to the program member; 2. Members agree to immediately surrender to their C.O.P. chief all property and equipment before any extended leave of absence, resignation, or termination from the program. Upon resignation or termination, the COP chief shall assume custody and maintain said equipment in C.O.P. inventory. 3. Citizens On Patrol members will carry a portable radio assigned to each Citizens On Patrol vehicle unit. B. Male Citizens On Patrol may not wear earrings while on duty. Member are prohibited from wearing jewelry or other item in any pierced body part (other than ears) that could be visible to the public, Longwood Police Department employees, or other members. Jewelry worn by members shall be conservative and shall not be offensive or distract from a professional image. C. Citizens On Patrol members will abide by the same uniform regulations and requirements as those imposed on civilian employees (see General Order # 16). Hairstyles will be conservative and kept clean, trimmed and combed. Sideburns, mustaches and beards will be neatly trimmed in accordance with an acceptable business appearance. X. VEHICLES: A. When operating a Longwood Police Department vehicle, members will have in their possession a valid Florida driver’s license. B. Equipment carried in Citizens On Patrol vehicles will not be modified. Electronic appliances (CB, ham radios, police scanners, hand-held strobe lights, televisions, GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 6 of 14 etc.) shall not be carried in the vehicle, unless otherwise approved by the chief of police. C. Vehicles assigned to the program shall be kept at the Citizens on Patrol office. Each vehicle will contain at least the following equipment: 1. Portable radio; 2. Flashlight; 3. Reflective traffic safety vest; 4. Re-fueling card; 5. First aid kit; 6. Citizens On Patrol shift/activity log; 7. Fire extinguisher; 8. Traffic cones. D. Equipment expended during a member’s tour of duty (forms, first aid supplies, flares, etc.) will be replaced at the end of his/her shift. E. Pre-use inspection: 1. Before going on duty, the Citizens On Patrol member will thoroughly inspect the vehicle for damage and faulty or missing equipment and note any such discrepancies on the shift / daily and maintenance activity logs. 2. Flashlights will be checked for operational readiness, and traffic vests shall be in presentable order. 3. If any irregularity or damage is observed, it will be reported to the Citizens On Patrol chief and noted on the shift/activity log. It is the responsibility of the C.O.P. chief to arrange for repair, replacement of equipment, etc. F. Fluid, lights and tires: 1. A vehicle’s oil, brake and transmission fluid levels will be checked as part of the pre-driving inspection. All lights, including turn signals, will be checked to ensure they are in working order. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 7 of 14 2. Tires will be properly inflated at all times, and should be checked for nails, excessive wear, cuts or other defects. Should damage occur to a tire while member is on duty, the member shall: a. Drive the vehicle to a safe location out of the flow of traffic and stop; b. Activate the vehicles four way flashers and emergency amber light bar; and c. Notify Telecommunications via radio or cellular telephone. Telecommunications will contact an on-duty supervisor to respond and facilitate repair or replacement of the tire. Note: Citizens On Patrol members will not change a damaged or flat tire. G. Emergency breakdown and damage: In the event of damage (non-traffic crash related), a breakdown or equipment failure (including flat tires), the Citizens On Patrol member shall immediately notify telecommunications, which will dispatch appropriate assistance. H. Refueling and maintenance: 1. Members will refuel their vehicle before going off duty when the fuel is at half a tank or below. They shall also vacuum the vehicle, if necessary. Information concerning vehicle maintenance schedule and approved vehicle maintenance sites is provided in each vehicle. 2. Vehicles will be fueled at a gas station as directed by the on duty patrol supervisor. Members will use the fuel card provided with the vehicle. 3. If the vehicle needs to be washed, it may be taken to the Longwood Police Department wash rack between 0900 – 1600 hours, or to another location at the direction of a Longwood Police Department supervisor. 4. Scheduled preventative maintenance is performed according to a schedule established by the designated authority. Members are required to adhere to the established preventative maintenance schedule. I. Traffic crashes involving Citizens On Patrol vehicle: GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 8 of 14 1. If a Citizens On Patrol member is involved in a traffic crash while operating a Longwood Police Department vehicle they will: a. Immediately notify Telecommunications of the crash location and the presence of any injury or road blockage; b. Request assistance from a Longwood police officer; c. If not injured, put on a reflective traffic safety vest and reflective safety gloves; d. Activate emergency amber lights and direct traffic, if necessary; e. Light flares, if necessary, but keep them away from the involved vehicles so that the flames will not ignite any spilled fluid or fumes; f. Do not move the vehicle until ordered to do so by a Longwood Police Department supervisor; g. Do not discuss the crash with anyone at the scene with the exception of investigating law enforcement personnel; and h. Render first aid if necessary, but only within the limits of training. 2. Telecommunications will notify medical personnel (if there are any injuries), and a Longwood Police Department supervisor. 3. The Citizens On Patrol member will be required to write a statement for the Longwood Police Department supervisor to explain the incident. NOTE: All communication with insurance companies, attorneys or other persons will be made only through the chief of police, or the chief’s designee. XI. PATROL OPERATIONS (GENERAL): A. Citizens On Patrol members are required to volunteer at least 12 hours per month. Members who have not volunteered their time for three consecutive months without approved leave of absence will be removed from the roster. B. Duty roster will be prepared by the Citizens On Patrol chief. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 9 of 14 C. When a member cannot fulfill a duty assignment due to illness, pressing personal business, or full time work schedules, he/she will notify his/her Citizens On Patrol chief at least eight hours in advance, or as soon as possible. XII. PATROL OPERATIONS (SPECIFIC): A. Citizens On Patrol members will be assigned a radio identification number that will serve as a means of identifying the specific member. The identification numbers tell Telecommunications who is in the vehicle at the beginning of the tour so they know who the operator is. The following is an example of a radio sequence that is to be used when going in and out of service: In Service C.O.P. unit: “C.O.P. 01 to Longwood” Dispatch: “C.O.P 01” C.O.P. unit: “C.O.P. 01 10-8 with C.O.P. 02” Note: if a passenger is in the vehicle, include their ID, with the driver’s ID mentioned first. Dispatch: “C.O.P 01 at 15:25 hours.” Out of Service C.O.P. unit: “C.O.P. 01 to Longwood” Dispatch: “C.O.P 01” C.O.P. unit: “C.O.P. 01 10-7 with C.O.P. 02” Note: If the passenger goes out of service earlier than the driver, notify Telecommunications. Dispatch: “C.O.P. 01 out of service at 2345 hours.” B. Unless requested, members will NOT respond to, or drive near, calls heard on the portable radio. C. Members will maintain a shift/activity log to document all actions taken during their shift. Shift/activity logs must be forwarded to the COP chief at the conclusion of each shift. Shift/activity logs may be completed on a monthly basis for those members who are assigned to a specific location, i.e. 1040 or Candyland Park. D. When not assigned to a specific location or duty, members will patrol residential neighborhoods and commercial areas within their assigned zone(s). GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 10 of 14 E. Members have NO authority to investigate complaints or take corrective action. If approached by a citizen who wishes to make a complaint, the member will immediately notify Telecommunications and stay with complainant until a Longwood police officer arrives. XIII. MISCELLANEOUS SITUATIONS: Citizens On Patrol members may encounter a number of situations that require Longwood Police Department attention. While no directive can fully describe all possible situations, the following are presented as typical: A. Abandoned vehicles: 1. An abandoned vehicle may be a vehicle left unattended on a right-of- way, in a roadway blocking traffic, or in a subdivision with flat tires and expired tag. 2. The member will contact Telecommunications by radio or cellular phone telephone and request that a Longwood police officer respond to the scene. The member will advise Telecommunications: a. The vehicle’s tag number, and, b. Whether or not the vehicle is creating a traffic hazard. B. Assisting stranded motorists; 1. When a vehicle is not blocking traffic the member will: a. Put on a reflective traffic safety vest and reflective traffic gloves; b. Call Telecommunications and give a description of the vehicle including its tag number. c. If the driver asks that wrecker assistance be summoned, the member will notify Telecommunications. The member will ask the driver if he/she has a wrecker preference. If so, that wrecker will be requested by Telecommunications. If the driver has no preference, advise Telecommunications to call a wrecker on the wrecker rotation list. d. If the driver of the disabled vehicle requests another driver (friend) be contacted, the Citizen On Patrol member may request Telecommunications to make the contact. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 11 of 14 e. Under no circumstances will the Citizens On Patrol member call for a wrecker against a driver’s wishes. 2. When a vehicle is blocking traffic, the member will: a. Put on a reflective traffic safety vest and reflective traffic gloves; b. Call Telecommunications, give a description of the vehicle, including its tag number, and request a Longwood police officer; c. Position the Citizens On Patrol vehicle behind the disabled vehicle, and turn on the emergency lights; d. Light flares if necessary; e. Remain at the scene and direct traffic until the arrival of a Longwood police officer; f. Under no circumstances will the Citizen On Patrol member attempt to physically push a vehicle out of the way of traffic. Likewise a member will not attempt to push a vehicle out of traffic using a Longwood Citizens On Patrol vehicle. 3. Owner locked out: Unless emergency conditions are present, under no circumstances will a Citizen on Patrol member attempt to open a locked vehicle door for a driver. However, at the driver’s request, members may request Telecommunications to summons, friends of the driver with spare keys, wrecker companies etc. C. Traffic Crashes: 1. Citizens On Patrol members shall use extreme caution when stopping for a traffic crash. The member’s vehicle is not an emergency vehicle and may become involved in a separate crash if caution is not exercised. 2. If a crash is observed, the member will immediately; a. Position their vehicle so as to reduce the chance of an additional crash, and activate the vehicle’s emergency amber lights; and GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 12 of 14 b. Remain at the scene until released by a Longwood police officer, or other law enforcement officer. Members are permitted to direct traffic. D. Suspicious activities: 1. There cannot be a complete description of behavior or activity that would be considered suspicious. The Citizens On Patrol member is the best judge of what is normal in their community. Activity that might be suspicious in one neighborhood might be commonplace in another. In the final analysis, it is better for a Longwood police officer to check out the situation and make final determination. 2. Barking dogs, loud noises, or other sounds do not always indicate that something is wrong. Noises resembling screams or cries for help will always be reported to Telecommunications. 3. After reporting the activity to Telecommunications, the member may stand by at the scene until the Longwood police officer’s arrival, but will not investigate or interfere with the activity. E. Alarms/broken glass: Notify Telecommunications of the location and any other facts or observations. Citizens On Patrol members may stand by in their vehicles, but will not approach the home/business to investigate the alarm/broken glass. F. Erratic driving: 1. Traffic violations should be reported to Telecommunications if there is a reasonable opportunity for a Longwood police officer to intervene and stop the violator. In that most traffic violations are civil offenses, the Longwood police officer must be able to personally observe the vehicle creating the violation before lawfully making a traffic stop. 2. Vehicles that appear to be operated by an impaired driver under the influence of alcoholic beverage or controlled substances shall be reported to Telecommunications. The Citizens On Patrol member should provide Telecommunications with: a. A description of the vehicle, and tag number if visible; b. The roadway name and direction the vehicle is traveling; and GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 13 of 14 c. A brief description of the driving behavior observed (weaving, inability to remain on the roadway, etc. NOTE: Citizens On Patrol members are expressively prohibited from pursuing or otherwise interfering with a suspicious vehicle. Members will make their report and leave the vehicle alone. G. Found property: At no time will Citizens On Patrol members accept found property. If a citizen approaches a Citizens On Patrol member regarding found property, the member will notify Telecommunications so that a Longwood police officer may respond and retrieve it. H. Area check: 1. Area checks are used in order to keep investigators aware of particular activity in neighborhoods or around businesses. Members will be given as much information as possible regarding suspicious vehicles, suspect individuals, etc. 2. The area check request should indicate what action the Citizens On Patrol member is to take (i.e. telephone the investigator, request the response of a Longwood police officer, or simply report it on their shift/activity log). I. Vacation house check: A vacation house check consists of visually checking doors and windows from the perimeter of the property. Anything suspicious will be reported to Telecommunications for a Longwood police officer to respond. J. Special events (community relations): Requests for assistance at special events such as parades, fairs, crime prevention activities etc. will be directed to the Citizens On Patrol chief. The C.O.P. chief may assign available Citizens On Patrol members to the function. K. Off Duty Activities: While off duty, members may discover a situation such as a traffic crash or crime in progress which warrants immediate attention. In this case, members should notify Telecommunications. When doing so, the following format should be used. GENERAL ORDER CITIZENS ON PATROL GO – 36 Page 14 of 14 “This is [state name], off duty Longwood C.O.P. [state radio ID number] and I am reporting [describe event].” The member should wait for dispatched units and offer assistance and information, if needed. Members should park their personal vehicle out of the flow of traffic. If it is a crime in progress, DO NOT GET INVOLVED. Wait at a discreet distance for a uniformed law enforcement officer. The member may record the event, date and time on shift/activity log at a later date.