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R-97-08-14-13F - 8/14/1997RESOLUTION NO. R- 97- 08- 14 -13F A RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 5.02.004 OF THE POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS CONCERNING VOLUNTEER RIDERS. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS: I. That Section 5.02.004 of the Policy and Procedure Manual of the Police Department of the City of Round Rock, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: 5.02.004 VOLUNTEER RIDERS Citizens desiring to ride with an on duty officer may be allowed to do so if operational conditions permit as determined by the Chief of Police or his designee. Such riders are at least eighteen (18) years of age, unless the rider is an approved rider in Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096, and are groomed and dressed in a manner not detrimental to the Department's image. After the Chief of Police or his designee's approval of a volunteer rider, the rider signs a waiver of liability. The Chief of Police or his designee forwards the signed waiver to Central Records where it is filed. Volunteer riders file a new waiver of liability each time the Chief of Police or his designee approves the volunteer rider to x: \WFDOCS \nasoLurx \ns7on4n.wen /cm 1 ATTEST: RESOLVED this 14th day of August, 1997. E ride with an on duty officer. Prior to riding with an on duty officer, volunteer riders who are approved riders in Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096 must be dressed in full uniform, must have a "Hold Harmless, Release, and Medical Treatment Agreement" signed by the individual's parent or legal guardian on file with the Police Department, and must comply with all requirements of the "City of Round Rock Police Department Explorer Ride -Along Program" policy. LAND, City Secretary CHARLES CULPEc?PER, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas 2 PURPOSE The ride -along program exposes Explorers to realistic work situations a police officer may confront while on duty. It includes classroom instruction and practical training in work situations. The purpose is to give the Explorer an opportunity to better understand the police officer's function in law enforcement and to broaden the Explorer's knowledge of basic procedures, in order to assist the officer as directed. GUIDELINES: 1. The Explorer must be 16 years of age or older, must possess a valid Texas drivers license, and must be approved by the Post Advisor or an Associate Advisor. 2. Required Forms: CITY OF ROUND ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORER RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM a. All posts will have a signed "Hold Harmless, Release, and Medical Treatment Consent Agreement" on file for each participating Explorer. b. Signed authorization form for a criminal history background check on the Explorer. 3. The Explorer is prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages, using tobacco products, or sleeping while on duty. An Explorer found in the possession of illegal narcotics or other habitual drugs will be dismissed from Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096 immediately. An Explorer who violates any city ordinance, state or federal law, or engages in any conduct which reflects negatively upon the Explorer is subject to dismissal from Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1096 by the Advisor. 4. Explorers will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to carry a firearm while participating in the ride -along program or any other Explorer function. 5. The Explorer must have successfully completed the minimum ride -along training program. 6. The Explorer may ride a maximum of sixteen (16) hours per month; a maximum of four (4) hours per day. Advisors have the option of rewarding Explorers with additional ride -along hours. Hours for the ride -along will be determined by the age of the Explorer and approved by the Advisor. C: N.X MPD /clb 7. Explorers will ride only with the officer or Advisor to whom he or she is assigned. 8. An Explorer must report fifteen (15) minutes prior to scheduled ride -along time. The Explorer must be in a clean and pressed, complete uniform when riding. 9. An Explorer must be equipped with flashlight, traffic vest, notebook and pen before reporting for duty. 10. The Explorer must follow the supervising officer's directions regardless of his /her personal feelings. Any disagreement or argument with supervising officer must be reported to Advisors in writing within 24 hours of the incident. No Explorer will be required to obey an order which is contrary to the law. 11. Each Explorer shall maintain a log of times, dates and activities for each Explorer ride - along. The Explorer shall ensure that each log entry is signed by the officer with which the Explorer rode on that particular occasion. CALLS THE EXPLORER MAY PARTICIPATE IN The Explorer participates in the ride - along program as an observer. The Explorer may fulfill various duties as determined by the ride - along officer. These may include: a. Operate radio. b. Assist motorist. c. Complete routine paperwork that will not be used in any court action. d. Protect crime scene. e. Act as an interpreter as needed. f. Direct traffic with proper gear and after appropriate training. CALLS THE EXPLORER MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN AT NO TIME will the Explorer be at risk or used in dangerous or undercover activities, in accordance with the Boy Scout of America's policy on covert operations. Some specific functions in which an Explorer may not participate include: a. Interview /interrogate witnesses or suspects. b. Participate or be left in control of the arrest of any prisoner. 2. c. Leave the police vehicle, unless instructed by the assigned officer. d. Assist at any scene, unless told to by the assigned officer. e. Be armed in any manner. f. Sign any arrest, offense, accident report, traffic citation, or other legal documentation. g. Assist in providing cover for any possible crime in progress. h. Driving police vehicles, except in emergency situations (for example, if an officer suffers a serious bodily injury and the Explorer determines that the officer is in need of immediate medical attention). An emergency situation means an unforeseen combination of circumstances creating a need for immediate action. I. Riding with any vice, narcotics or organized crime division. DRIVING POLICY No Law Enforcement Explorer, whether in uniform or not, should drive a marked patrol vehicle, except in emergency situations (for example, if an officer suffers a serious bodily injury and the Explorer determines that the officer is in need of immediate medical attention). An emergency situation means an unforeseen combination of circumstances creating a need for immediate action. The exception to this policy is in authorized competitions in which an adult law enforcement official shall ride in the front passenger seat. HIGH RISK CALL PROCEDURE An Explorer must follow the procedure for high risk calls. The procedure is as follows: a. In case of high risk call, the officer returns the Explorer to the station or stops at the first convenient location and radios the position of the Explorer so that another unit can effect a pickup while the dispatched officer proceeds to the assignment. b. In case of any immediate emergency, the Explorer will remain in the police vehicle and observe, until the officer advises that the situation is safe. 3. EXPLORER'S TRAINING Before the Explorer is permitted to participate in the ride -along program he /she is required to complete training exercises which include: a. Daily operations of a police officer. b. Post guidelines. c. Familiarization with police vehicle and equipment. d. Dress and equipment required when participating in the ride - along: Required uniform. Equipment (clipboard and note pad, pen or pencil, flashlight, traffic vest, and weather gear, where applicable). e. Expected conduct of Explorer: Follow directions of officer. Explorer will not carry on a conversation with any prisoner, witnesses, or complainant, unless specifically directed by the officer. f. Code of Conduct for police officers. g. Additional training to include: Note taking /report writing. Geographic orientation of the area. Communications and radio procedures. OFFICER'S CRITERIA: a. An officer must have at least one (1) year of experience. b. The officer has no compromising disciplinary action on file. c. The consenting officer must receive an orientation to the Explorer program rules and guidelines prior to participation. d. The officer must be furnished with a copy of the Explorer program guidelines for future reference. 4. I. , an applicant for participation in Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096, hereby acknowledge that I have received a copy of the City of Round Rock Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Ride -Along Program policy. I further agree to comply with all conditions and conform my conduct to all provisions of the City of Round Rock Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Ride -Along Program policy. I understand and agree that any violation of said policy will subject me to dismissal from Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096. Explorer's Signature Date Printed Name: I, , the parent /legal guardian of , an applicant for participation in Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096, hereby acknowledge that I have received a copy of the City of Round Rock Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Ride -Along Program policy. I further understand and agree that my son /daughter must comply with all conditions and conform his /her conduct to all provisions of the City of Round Rock Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Ride - Along Program policy. I understand and agree that any violation of said policy will subject my son /daughter to dismissal from Law Enforcement Explorer Post No. 1096. Parent's /Legal Guardian's Signature Date (Explorers under 18 years old) ACKNOWLEDGMENT SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME by the parent /legal guardian of day of Notary Public, State of Texas Printed Name: My Commission Expires: 5. , 19 , on this DATE: August 14, 1997 SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, August 14, 1997 ITEM: 13.F. Consider a resolution concerning amending the Police Policy and Procedure Manual for the ride -along program. STAFF RESOURCE PERSON: Chief Kuhlmann STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends to amend Section 5.02.004 of the Policy and Procedure Manual to permit volunteer riders of the Law Enforcement Explorer Post to the Ride -Along Program. RESOLUTION NO. R-97-08-14-13F A RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 5.02.004 OF THE POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS CONCERNING VOLUNTEER RIDERS. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS: 1. That Section 5.02.004 of the Policy and Procedure Manual of the Police Department of the City of Round Rock, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: 5.02.004 VOLUNTEER RIDERS Citizens desiring to ride with an on duty officer may be allowed to do so if operational conditions permit as determined by the Chief of Police or his designee. Such riders are at least eighteen (18) years of age, unies$: pproyed_ri5ier in taw tnforceMent, .191*rer Poit v9. 1996, and are groomed and dressed in a manner not detrimental to the Department's image. After the Chief of Police or his designee's approval of a volunteer rider, the rider signs a waiver of liability. The Chief of Police or his designee forwards the signed waiver to Central Records where it is filed. Volunteer riders file a new waiver of liability each time the Chief of Police or his designee approves the volunteer rider to ride with an on duty officer on VII 118SOLUTI .57081 2WP/clb 1 ATTEST: *duty offieer,,yolynteor rder» who are approved rl-dere4n 1. enforcement Nxploiii *** io$t No. In& i61stbe diiiSed in full uniform, must have a NioldRarmless,Aelleaie; and M Treatment :ent Agreement " signed §yIltne individual's rent or legal guardian on 4ley4„:til the po4ce,pepaxtment,"nnd must comply with ailrequirements of ihe'`4ty of Round Rock "Poil.C'e* DepaiiM4nt xpi,or,er Ride-Along Program" Policy:, RESOLVED this 14th day of August, 1997. JOANNE LAND, City Secretary CHARLES CULPEPPER, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas 2