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421 Reserve Unit (Revised 08-24-2010)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 421 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Reserve Unit August 24, 2010 Green I. PURPOSE To promulgate rules and regulations for the operations of the Fridley Police Reserve Unit. II. POLICY It is the policy of this department to establish and maintain an effective and efficient Police Reserve Unit. The Reserve Unit is formed under the authority of the Public Safety Director and will operate as part of the Fridley Police Department. III. PROCEDURE A. GENERAL 1. Reserve Officers are voluntary members of the Department and may be dismissed from the Reserve Unit at any time for any reason by the Reserve Unit Coordinator or Public Safety Director. The authorized strength of the Reserve Unit will be at the discretion of the City Manager and the Public Safety Director. Members will operate in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 626.84, and the General Orders, Rules and Regulations of the Fridley Police Department. 2. Members of the Reserve Unit are not licensed peace officers in the State of Minnesota and do not have the powers of a licensed peace officer. Under Minnesota Statutes § 626.84(e) Reserve Officer is defined as: “An individual whose services are utilized by a law enforcement agency to provide supplementary assistance at special events, traffic or crowd control, and administrative or clerical assistance. A reserve officer's duties do not include enforcement of the general criminal laws of the state, and the officer does not have full powers of arrest or authorization to carry a firearm on duty.” B. QUALIFICATIONS OF RESERVE OFFICERS: 1. Minimum a. Must be 20 years of age or 18 & 19 year olds must have permission from the Public Safety Director. b. Valid Minnesota Driver's License. c. Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing. d. Working knowledge of English, spelling, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary so as to write legible and comprehensive reports. e. Must be in good physical and mental health. f. Must be a US citizen. g. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. h. Must not have prior arrests other than minor traffic violations and at no time more than two traffic violations in a year. 2. Desired a. Ability to make decisions using judgment and discretion in accordance with established policies and procedures. b. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, officers and other department and City employees. c. Ability to maintain a positive image to the public. C. APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: 1. All persons desiring to be a member of the Reserve Unit must complete and submit a City of Fridley application. Candidates will be required to pass an oral board examination and submit to a comprehensive background check. Applicants may be terminated from the selection process at any time for any reason by the Reserve Unit Coordinator or Public Safety Director. 2. All new applicants must complete the Anoka County Reserve Academy within two years of their start date. This training may be waived if the applicant has previously completed similar or advanced training from another approved documented source. Approved sources include: a. Approved post-secondary education b. State of Minnesota certified skills course c. Police Academy from Minnesota or another state d. Reserve Academy from another County e. A member in good standing of the Fridley Police Law Enforcement Explorer Program. D. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. As directed or otherwise assigned, members of the Reserve Unit shall: a. Assist in servicing and maintaining police vehicles and selected equipment. b. Provide assistance to other City departments and other cities. c. Attend monthly training meetings. d. Perform residential & business security checks. e. Provide supplemental security at community and school events. f. Submit written reports on activities. g. Conduct crime watch and observation assignments. h. Provide administrative and clerical support to the Fridley Police Department. i. Transport prisoners and members of the public. j. Provide crime prevention patrol to specific areas of the city by squad or foot. k. Perform vehicle “Lock Outs” in emergency situations. l. Perform animal control duties. E. TRAINING: 1. All members of the Reserve Unit shall successfully complete and keep current with Department training requirements. Training requirements include: a. General Order 421 Police Reserve Unit b. First aid and CPR (Reserve Officers may become First Responder certified at their own expense) c. Use of Department equipment (Tasers, vehicles, etc) d. Right-to-know, blood borne pathogens, and lead exposure e. Any other training deemed necessary by the Public Safety Director f. City Safety manual g. City Ordinances h. State Statutes i. Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) BCA certification j. Use of force & self defense F. FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM: 1. All members of the Reserve Unit shall successfully complete a comprehensive field training program. Each section of the field training manual must be signed off by a Reserve Field Training Officer (RFTO) and after successful completion of all sections the member must complete a final evaluation on the manual with their respective team sergeant. 2. The field training program must be completed by the member’s anniversary date. Failure to complete the program within the one year allowed may be cause for dismissal from the program. G. RESERVE UNIT MEETINGS 1. Location/Time Meetings will normally be held at the Fridley Police Department on a monthly basis. Meeting dates and times may be changed as required. 2. Attendance a. Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings is required. If the member is unable to attend a regularly scheduled meeting they should inform their Team Reserve Sergeant or Lieutenant. b. A member may be dismissed from the Reserve Unit for failure to attend 3 consecutive meetings. c. Members must maintain their current address and phone numbers on file with the Police Department at all times. New address and phone numbers shall be given to the Reserve Coordinator no later than 10 days after such change. H. HOURS 1. Each member of the Reserve Unit is required to participate in a minimum of 10 hours of approved unit activities per month. The monthly meeting counts 2 hours towards the 10 hours monthly minimum. Approved unit activities include: a. Ride-Alongs with a licensed police Officer or Community Service Officer (CSO) b. Patrolling in the Reserve Squad c. Providing prisoner transport services for the Department e. Participating as a Reserve Officer at scheduled community events, mutual aid events, emergencies or disasters f. Performing other duties on behalf of the Department or City as may be directed 2. Failure to meet the monthly participation requirements may result in dismissal from the Reserve Unit. I. UNIFORM 1. Uniforms and Equipment Provided by the Department: a. Navy slacks b. Uniform shirt - long and short sleeve c. Jacket d. Rain coat e. 8 Point hat f. Photo identification card g. Shirt badge, hat badge, and nameplate h. Tie with tie bar i. Security access card j. Duty belt with approved duty gear (not individually issued) 2. Uniforms and Equipment That Must Be Provided by the Member: a. Black shoes or boots b. Trouser belt c. Dark socks d. Baton and holder (if qualified to carry) 3. Members of the Reserve Unit will only carry equipment authorized by the Public Safety Director. a. Members are prohibited from wearing, carrying or using: 1) Sap or sap gloves 2) Brass knuckles 3) Numchakus 4) Switch blade knives 5) Thumb cuffs 6) Firearms 4. Members of the Reserve Unit shall conform to General Order 401 Clothing and Grooming Standards. Members shall be neat in appearance whenever in uniform. Uniforms will be clean and pressed and shoes polished. Uniforms must reasonably fit. 5. Members of the Reserve Unit are prohibited from wearing the uniform or displaying their badge or identification card except while on duty. 6. All uniforms and equipment issued to a member of the Reserve Unit shall remain the property of the Department and the City and shall be returned in good condition to the Reserve Coordinator upon resignation or dismissal of the member from the Reserve Unit. A member may be required to replace lost, stolen or damaged uniforms and equipment at their own expense. 7. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not display political buttons, advertisements or endorsements on their uniforms; or any device or adornment which denotes membership in any organization. J. ORGANIZATION 1. The Field Operations Division Commander shall designate a licensed police Sergeant to be the Reserve Coordinator. The Reserve Coordinator shall be assisted by as many licensed officer advisors as may be deemed necessary to support the functioning of the Reserve Unit. 2. The Reserve Coordinator shall appoint a member of the Reserve Unit as the Reserve Lieutenant to command the Reserve Unit. 3. Members of the Reserve Unit Reserve may be appointed as Reserve Sergeants as needed to assist the Reserve Lieutenant. 4. The chain of command for members of the Reserve Unit shall be through the Reserve Sergeant to the Reserve Lieutenant to the Reserve Coordinator to Field Operations Division Commander to the Public Safety Director. 5. Members of the Reserve Unit shall be on probation for a period of one year commencing at the completion of the Reserve Academy. K. RESERVE RANKS DEFINED: 1. Junior Reserve Officer: a. Has not completed the Reserve Academy b. Has not completed Field Training c. Has not completed 1 year probationary period Junior Reserve Officers may only ride with Reserve Field Training Officers until such time as they complete the field training program. After field training, Junior Reserve Officers may ride with any other Reserve Officer of Senior rank or higher. Junior Reserve Officers may not ride together for work shift unless prior approval by a reserve supervisor is obtained. 2. Senior Reserve Officer: a. Has completed Reserve Academy b. Has completed Field Training c. Has completed the 1 year probationary period d. Demonstrates good judgment and leadership e. Approved by Reserve Coordinator **NOTE: The amount of time a Reserve Officer has been at the department may not necessarily make them a Senior Officer 3. Reserve Field Training Reserve Officer: a. Must be a Senior Officer b. Must have completed 1 year probationary period c. Must have completed at least 150 hours of logged patrol time d. Demonstrates a desire to train new Reserve Officers e. Must be proficient in all areas of covered in the Field Training Manual f. Must be approved by the Reserve Unit Lieutenant 4. Reserve Sergeant: a. Must be a Senior Reserve Officer and a Reserve Field Training Officer b. Must pass the Sergeant written test and oral interview c. Must be approved by the Reserve Coordinator 5. Reserve Lieutenant: a. Must be a Reserve Sergeant b. Must pass the Lieutenant written test and oral interview c. Must be approved by the Reserve Coordinator **NOTE: All Sergeants and Lieutenants are also considered to be Reserve Field Training Officers L. RULES AND REGULATIONS: 1. Members of the Reserve Unit shall be subject to all Department general orders that apply to them and are prohibited from violating any general order or any rule, regulation or directive. 2. Any members of the Reserve Unit who observes or is aware of any violation of any general order, rule, regulation, or directive, by any other member shall report such violation to a unit supervisor, Reserve Unit Advisor or the Reserve Unit Coordinator. 3. Members of the Reserve Unit shall obey all of the laws of the United States, the State of Minnesota and ordinances of the City of Fridley. 4. Members of the Reserve Unit do not have licensed peace officer powers of arrest. While working as a Reserve Officer, members are considered to be working under the color of law and do have the power to make a citizen's arrest. 5. Members of the Reserve Unit are prohibited from representing themselves as a licensed police officer either on or off duty. 6. Members of the Reserve Unit are prohibited from enforcing the general criminal laws or performing other duties statutorily restricted to licensed peace officers. 7. Members of the Reserve Unit may not consume any alcoholic beverages while in uniform either on or off duty or within eight hours prior to going on duty. 8. Members of the Reserve Unit will consider any law enforcement or department related information to be confidential and may not release or disseminate any such information without the approval of the Public Safety Director. 9. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not publicly criticize or ridicule the Fridley Police Department or the Reserve Unit; or the policies or members of the Fridley Police Department or the Reserve Unit. 10. Members of the Reserve Unit shall be courteous and orderly in all their dealings with the public at large. They shall perform their duties quietly, avoiding harsh, violent, profane or insolent language or gestures, and shall remain calm regardless of provocation to do otherwise. 11. Members of the Reserve Unit shall, upon request, supply their name and badge number in a courteous manner. 12. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not authorize the use of their names, photographs or official title, which identifies them as a member of the Reserve Unit in connection with testimonials or advertisements of any commodity or commercial enterprise without the approval of the Public Safety Director. 13. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not use more force in any situation than is reasonably necessary under the circumstances and under no circumstances will force be used in violation of any law or department policy. 14. Members of the Reserve Unit shall, if confronted with a situation that they are uncertain as to the appropriate course of action, contact either a unit officer or a licensed peace officer to handle the situation. 15. Members of the Reserve Unit shall contact a licensed police officer if a situation escalates into a confrontation with any citizen or if the situation requires a licensed peace officer. 16. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not question suspects or persons placed under arrest except at the request of a licensed police officer. 17. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not accept from any person, business, or organization any gift - including money, food, service, promise, or entertainment, if it may be inferred that the person, business or organization seeks to influence action of an official nature or seeks to affect the performance or non-performance of any official duty, or, has an interest which may be substantially affected directly or indirectly by the performance or nonperformance of an official duty. 18. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not use their official, position, identification card or badge: a. For personal or financial gain. b. For obtaining privileges not otherwise available to them. c. For avoiding the consequences of an illegal act. d. For political endorsement. 19. Members of the Reserve Unit are prohibited from operating a city owned vehicle as a Reserve Officer more than 14 hours in a 24 hour period unless approved by the Public Safety Director. 20. Members of the Reserve Unit shall utilize department equipment only for its intended purpose and shall not abuse or damage this equipment. All department equipment issued to a member shall be returned in good condition upon the termination of membership in the Reserve Unit. 21. Members of the Reserve Unit are prohibited from performing any act that may be considered illegal or immoral, even if at the direction of a licensed peace officer. 22. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not smoke in violation of any smoking law, ordinance or signs designating certain areas as no smoking areas, including City vehicles. 23. Members of the Reserve Unit may not be a member of any other Police Reserve Unit. 24. Members of the Reserve Unit shall not respond to any location police officer(s) have been dispatched to or responded to unless specifically requested to do so with the exception of motor vehicle accidents. L. DISCIPLINE: 1. All allegations of misconduct or violation of any rule, regulation, policy, or general order shall be reported to the Reserve Coordinator in writing. The Reserve Coordinator shall then report the violation to the Field Operations Division Commander who will notify the Public Safety Director. The Public Safety Director or his designee shall conduct an internal investigation to determine if the allegation is sustained, unfounded, not sustained or exonerated. If the allegation is sustained, appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken and recorded in the member’s personnel file. 2. A written report will be forwarded directly to the Public Safety Director as soon as is practical in all alleged or suspected actions of members involving the possible commission of a criminal offense, misconduct, neglect of duty, or other violation of departmental rules or orders. Anonymous reports will be forwarded in the same manner as those in which the complainant is identified. a. Disciplinary action may include: 1) Verbal reprimand 2) Written reprimand 3) Suspension 4) Demotion 5) Dismissal M. DUTIES OF A RESERVE OFFICER 1. General Patrol a. With the exception of special details all reserve patrols shall consist of two person patrol cars. Reserves are not allowed to patrol the city alone. 1) Unless otherwise directed routine patrol shifts will be in full uniform. b. Prior to a patrol shift, the member will check in with the shift supervisor or, in the absence of a shift supervisor, with the senior officer on-duty. 1) The member will notify Central Communications of the hours they intend to be in service and request a radio call number. 2) The member will advise the shift supervisor or, in the absence of a shift supervisor/senior officer of the hours they intend to be in service and the radio call number being used. e. Prior to leaving the station, the Member will obtain a portable radio and a copy of the current on-duty officer list. f. The member will check out a vehicle, normally a squad designated for use of the Reserve Unit. If the Reserve Unit squad is not available, the member will request the shift supervisor/senior officer to assign another vehicle from the fleet for use. 2. Park Patrol a. Members of the Reserve Unit may perform patrols of City Parks at their discretion. Members may not perform any walk- through of a City or County park alone. b. While on park patrol, members should be observant for any activity in violation of City park ordinances (Fridley City Code Chapter 508). c. When performing patrol or other duties in the Springbrook Nature Center, members should check in with Nature Center staff. 3. Ride-Alongs a. Members of the Reserve Unit who desire to participate in a Ride-Along with a licensed police officer or community service officer should make arrangements with the officer they wish to ride with by submitting a written ride-along request form. The member should contact the officer a minimum of one (1) week prior to the desired Ride-Along date. Scheduled activities will take precedence over any Ride-Along. b. During a Ride-Along, the member shall be under the direction of the officer and should perform any lawful order given if they feel competent to perform such order. c. During traffic stops the member will assist the officer by observing the suspect vehicle occupants for suspicious activity. The member should also observe the general area of the traffic stop for other vehicles and pedestrians and inform the officer of any activity immediately threatening to the officer. The member shall not approach the stopped vehicle unless requested by the officer. d. During routine patrol the member will be observant for unusual/unlawful activity and report such to the officer. e. Any member wishing to do a ride-along must have their 10 hour monthly minimum either completed or scheduled. f. Ride-alongs may be restricted during certain months due to increased special assignments, increase in new police officers, and other city programs. 4. Prisoner Transport detail a. Dates and times of upcoming prisoner transport details will be announced at the regular monthly Reserve Unit meeting. The dates of the detail will be posted on a sign-up list in an accessible area of the department. b. Members of the Reserve Unit who sign up for the detail should work the entire shift. If the member is unable to complete the assigned shift, it is the member’s responsibility to find a replacement member to cover the assignment responsibilities. c. If the member is unable to work the scheduled shift, they should contact another member to fill the shift. If another member cannot be contacted the member should notify the team sergeant that they cannot work the assigned shift and that a replacement could not be located. 5. General Prisoner Transports a. Members of the Reserve Unit will be allowed to perform general prisoner transports at the discretion of a licensed police officer provided: 1) There must be two reserves. 2) The suspect must be compliant and not have displayed any previous signs of physical aggression. 3) Members must comply with all rules set forth in the prisoner transport general order #315 6. Residential Security Checks (when authorized) a. Members of the Reserve Unit may obtain residential security check requests from the CSO or roll call desk. b. At each listed residence the member should observe for any signs of forced entry (i.e. broken windows/doors, pry marks on doors), open windows/doors, interior signs of burglary. If any signs of forced entry are observe or if any questions arise the member should contact the shift supervisor or an officer for assistance and direction. c. Under no circumstance shall the member enter a residence. d. Upon completion of each residential security check the member should log the time, any comments and their name on the residential security check request form. Residential security checks should also be documented on the house check log. 7. Business Security Checks (when authorized) a. Members may complete business security checks and notify the appropriate area call car if anything suspicious is found. 8. Motorist Assist a. If a member of the Reserve Unit observes a stalled vehicle, the member should stop behind the stalled vehicle when it is safe to do so, activate the emergency lights of the department vehicle and notify Central Communications of the motorist assist giving the location and vehicle license number. The member should request a licensed police officer if any police action is required. b. Trained members shall provide vehicle “lock-out” in the case of a child or animal locked in a car. If the member is not trained a licensed police officer or CSO qualified to handle lock-out should be requested. N. Vehicle Operation 1. Prior to leaving the station members of the Reserve Unit operating a department vehicle should check the vehicle for proper operation of all equipment. If any problems are observed a repair form should be completed and forwarded to the CSO. A note should be written on the white-board in the roll call room, noting the vehicle number and description of the problem. If possible the vehicle should be brought to the City Shop for repair prior to the end of the members shift. 2. Members SHALL NOT operate the emergency lights or siren of any department vehicle at any time unless at the direction of a licensed police officer or at the site of a motorist aid/motor vehicle accident to warn other traffic. 3. Members SHALL NOT participate in any vehicle chase or pursuit. 4. If requested to respond to a call or vehicle stop location by a licensed police officer, members shall proceed in the most direct route, obeying all applicable traffic laws. 5. Members who observe a violation of traffic law should notify Central Communications of the vehicle license number, vehicle make/model, direction of travel, occupant descriptions and reason for alert. A member may attempt to follow the vehicle, OBEYING ALL TRAFFIC LAWS, until a licensed peace officer can take action. Should a licensed peace officer not be in position to take action, the member shall dismiss the violation and resume normal activities unless directed to continue following. Members shall not follow vehicles outside the City limits unless directed to do so. 6. If transporting a citizen, the member shall notify Central Communications with the beginning mileage, whether it’s an adult or juvenile, sex of the citizen, and the transport destination. At the destination the member shall report the ending mileage. O. Leave of Absence 1. All leaves of absence must be approved by the Reserve Coordinator. 2. All requests for a leave of absence must show just cause, (i.e. reasons of employment, illness/medical, personnel/family matters or education reasons), and will be considered on a case by case basis. 3. A leave of absence should not be for greater than six (6) months. If an additional leave of absence is required the request must be approved by the Reserve Coordinator. P. Injury on Duty 1. Members of the Reserve Unit are covered by the provisions of the City of Fridley’s worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance policies. 2. A member that becomes injured while on duty shall inform the on- duty supervisor and the Reserve Coordinator as soon as possible. The injured member, if capable, shall complete the “First Report of Injury” and “Employee Accident Report” forms. If needed, the member shall seek medical attention.