Alberta Citizens On

Patrol Association

COP training

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Permission to use

• This power point presentation was developed by Scott Henley from the Qualicum Beach COP group in British Columbia.

• Scott has given permission for COP in Alberta to use this presentation for training purposes.

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To Our…….NEW MEMBERS!!

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RCMP / GRCGrande Prairie Detachment

Working together to

PREVENT CRIME

Sexsmith Citizens on Patrol

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The objective of the Citizens on Patrol program is to be an extra set of “eyes and ears” for the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment.

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By being an extra set of “eyes and ears” the patrol is able to assist in the deterrence of crime

in the community.

The patrols routinely patrol the highways and byways of the

district in an effort to deter the criminal element.

The COPS patrol is not designed to replace the RCMP but allows the RCMP to focus their

attention to other areas of responsibility

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The volunteers must remain within the bounds of the law in the performance of their duties and are expected to

discharge their activities in a professional manner.

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Citizens on Patrol Citizens on Patrol is is notnot a vigilante a vigilante organizationorganization.. Patrols are drawn from concerned citizens, working together, to help other members of the community.

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The patrol The patrol members, unlike members, unlike

the members of the the members of the RCMP, RCMP,

DO NOT HAVE any DO NOT HAVE any extraordinary extraordinary

powers.powers.

SAFETY

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When making patrols SAFETY is your first concern. At no time will you be forced to do anything that might jeopardize your safety or cause damage to your vehicle while under the guidelines of Citizens on Patrol. If you judge an area to be a danger, a visual scan of the area with a spotlight, if this is safe, would be sufficient.

At no time will you chase a vehicle – whether it is a suspect, an impaired driver or for any other reason.

CALL BASE – give an accurate description including the licence plate and number of people and the description of the suspicious activity.

If, while on patrol, you drive past a group causing any type of disturbance, do not stop at that point. Carry on to a safe area where you can see what they are doing. Call base and report the activities.

REMEMBER –

YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST!

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PROGRAM SECURITY

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All members are responsible for ensuring that the security and the integrity of the Citizens on Patrol is not breached. To achieve this members will not discuss the following subjects with persons not directly associated with the patrol or the police:

Hours of operations

Identity of members of the patrol – including names, addresses, phone numbers and vehicles

Base station location, or

Specific details of the patrol function.

PRIVATE VEHICLES

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Insurance CoverageIt is the responsibility of the driver of any

vehicle used for patrol purposes to ensure that the vehicle is properly insured for such use. NO special type of insurance is required as long as it is insured for business, pleasure or both.

Maintenance of Vehicle All members are responsible for ensuring

that any vehicle used is in safe condition and conforms to all provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and any regulations under that Act.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

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An additional third party liability insurance is carried on all members of Citizens on Patrol while they are on duty.

This insurance covers all members in case of an injury while directing traffic at an accident scene for example.

EQUIPMENT

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OWNERSHIP: All equipment issued is the property of Citizens on Patrol.CARE: All members of Citizens on Patrol will exercise reasonable care of any equipment, material and supplies issued to them.LOSS, DAMAGE OR MALFUNCTION: Members are responsible to report any loss, damage or malfunction of any equipment.AUTHORIZED USE: EXCEPT where an emergency situation exists, no member of COPS will permit the use of any equipment by unauthorized persons, or for any purpose other than duties directly related to COPS.

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Citizens On Patrol

members:

Patrol designated areas

Detect suspicious persons and activities

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Detect criminal activities

Observe abandoned

vehicles

Detect traffic violations

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Record these activities and observations.

and……Report these activities to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

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Members of the patrol are required

to commit a minimum of one shift per month

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Members are requested to maintain a suitable dress code while on patrol

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Members are required to

participate in all training sessions or patrol meetings as

directed.

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Confidentiality is required with respect to identity of patrol members, base location, radio channels, telephone numbers and patrol activities.

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Any change in status, i.e. phone or change of address, must be reported immediately to ensure member can be contacted

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Termination of membership is at the discretion of directors/coordinators.If a member does not maintain membership requirements - is disruptive to the program - does not do a patrol for four consecutive months - or is found to be involved in any criminal behavior, they will no longer hold a valid membership.

As volunteer members, you have no special powers and must adhere to

the following guidelines:

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Members

must obey all laws

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At no time will members be armed or carry weapons

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At no time will members harass or

chase anyone

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At no time will members follow police

or emergency vehicles

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At no time

will members

conduct any form

of investigation

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TRAININGTRAINING

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As well as “On the Job” training, all members are required to undergo an “In Class” training program.

This will include:

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Proper procedures for reporting incidents

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Rules of the patrol

Proper deportment

Proper radio procedure

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Your role with Police in the community

and

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Traffic direction

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Upon completion of the training program, each member will be assigned (when possible) with an experienced patrol member.

The senior patrol members will guide new members through the zone and identify the overall patrol procedures.

All patrol members may be subject to an assessment by the respective zone coordinator/director.

OBSERVATION GUIDELINES

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The sound of breaking glass or screams may

indicate that a crime is in progress

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Persons entering or leaving

businesses after normal business

hours may indicate a crime in

progress

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Persons forcing entrance into a

building or other structure may

indicate a crime in

progress

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Open or broken doors/windows/gates

May indicate a crime in

progress or has occurred

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Persons running,

particularly if carrying valuable

articles may have committed

a crime

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Persons loading vehicles with property after

dark may have committed a

crime

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Persons peering into parked

vehicles may be planning to steal

the vehicle or contents

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Persons removing

accessories, licence plates or gasoline may be committing theft

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Persons leaving one vehicle and

immediately entering another may be

abandoning a stolen vehicle or one that

may have been used in a crime

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Any unoccupied vehicle parked in a business area after

dark should be considered suspicious

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Vehicles with headlights out prowling in an

area

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Vehicle, apparently

abandoned, may have been stolen

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A vehicle being driven in an erratic

manner may indicate an

impaired driver

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Persons being forced into a

vehicle against their will may

indicate an abduction is taking

place

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Persons loitering after dark in the parks, secluded

areas or business areas may be

contemplating the commission of an

offence

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Smoke coming from buildings, dumpsters, etc. may indicate a

crime has been committed

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON PATROL

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VEHICLES(MOBILE)

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No lights (on side streets, alleys)

Excessive Speed (on streets, alleys)

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Expired plates (no decal)

No plates

Truck plates on cars

Plates wired on

Plates over other plates

LICENCE PLATES

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Impaired drivers

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Smashed windows

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Very young drivers

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Clean car with dirty

plates

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Dirty car with

clean plates

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Rental vans in “affluent” areas

–

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Overloaded vehicles

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VEHICLES

Abandoned or

Stolen

(Stationary)

Possibly

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Check parking lots

Unlicensed or expired

plates

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Dirty or dusty vehicles (plates)

Engine left running

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Damage on vehicle

bumpers not there

fenders damaged

door/trunk locks damaged

Previous or new damages?

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Tires - low or flat ?

Windows open or broken

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Improperly parked

Execessive garbage or shrub growth underneath

vehicles

PREMISES

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LOOKUP!

Check the roof anything unusual – skylights out of place?

someone crawling on it?ropes visible?

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Wires cut?

Broken windows?

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Insecure doors or windows

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Trucks

backed up to doors

or

windows

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Garbage bins

or large objects

obstructing front

entrances?

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Ladders

against

premises?

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Flashlights

in use on

premises?

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Persons inside

seem to be

out of

place?

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People

working late?(Particularly in

businesses)

PEOPLE

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Movements

Looking into vehicles or

buildings

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Clothing out of place

Carrying suitcases or large boxes

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Bags/backpacks with what

appears to have sharp corners inside

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Arms held as if concealing

something

Following women

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Hiding in shadows

People observing

your movements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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ALL MEMBERS MUSTBE CLEAREDWITH BASEBEFOREGOING ON PATROL

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•Driver is required to have a valid driver’s licence and insurance•Cover area as directed•Report to base as required. If you lose contact, return to your base and telephone base station.•Keep a clear, concise log of activities as they might form the basis of a prosecution

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•Maintain your notebook on a continual basis•Obey all traffic laws•Do not contact any casual listeners or questioners •Do not leave your vehicles to check suspicious circumstances

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•Make every effort to give as complete a description of any suspicious persons or vehicles•DO NOT carry any weapons in your vehicle or on your person•Take care of all equipment issued to your patrol. Report any damage or malfunction of equipment on your report sheet.

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If you come across a crime scene

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DO NOT DISTURB ANYTHING

– stay in your vehicle at the scene until RCMP

arrive

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Report it to base immediately – give address, closest cross street and what has happened

Maintain security of the scene until RCMP arrive. Let the RCMP officer approach YOU! They do not know that you are the GOOD guys.

Give clear, concise information to the RCMP officer

Leave scene when directed by RCMP

If you come upon the scene of a motor vehicle accident -

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o report any injuries and damage to baseo request ambulance, RCMP or Fire Department as required for assistanceo maintain security and protect the scene until help arriveso render assistance to the injured to the best of your ability and assist police as directedo if necessary, set up flares and direct traffic

NOTEBOOKS

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Your notebook is an Your notebook is an official documentofficial document and and maymay be used as evidence in Court. Notebooks may be used as evidence in Court. Notebooks may be reviewed by the Crown attorney, a defense be reviewed by the Crown attorney, a defense lawyer, Judge or jury. lawyer, Judge or jury.

PLEASE ensure that your notebook is up to date and contains ONLY information pertaining to Citizens on Patrol.

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WHY YOU MUST KEEP NOTES

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A well kept notebook will: act as an aid to the witness

maintain a clear record of events

help show chronological order of events

add credibility to the witness in Court

increase the witness’ recollection of the

event

What should be noted and should always be included in your notebook: dates and times involved in the shift road and weather conditions (note any changes) with whom the shift is worked what vehicle was used zone covered and special assignments information to which you may need to refer the 24 hour clock system specific observations actions taken arrival and departure times

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Be consistent by using the same pen - black non-erasable is preferred

Try to ensure that your handwriting is legible and consistent

Fill in every line of each page

If a mistake is made – cross it out with one line and initial it

Do not cover up words, skip pages or remove pages – this may be questioned later if used in Court as evidence

Be specific when entering information

Never give or lend your notebook to other members to use

If you fill up your notebook or lose it – call your coordinator

If you know a second language, feel free to use it in your notebook

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Description of Suspects:

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A good description includes:sexraceAgeheight, weight and buildhair colourclothing description – in as much detail as possible, especially footwear anddistinguishing marks – tattoos, scars, facial hair, limps, big ears, moles, birthmarks, etc.

Description of Vehicle:

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•Color

•Year – to the best of your ability

•Make – to the best of your ability

•Body style – 2 or 4 door, hatchback, sedan, etc.

•Additional characteristics – body damage, tinted glass, logo’s displayed,etc.

•Licence

•State/Province/Foreign/Diplomatic

EXTRA DUTIES

If you’re interested,PLEASEtell your Coordinator!

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TRAFFIC DUTY

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COPs members are requested to assist the RCMP and various other organizations when special events are held by controlling traffic – vehicular or pedestrian.

Some of these occasions may be parades, marathon’s, Family Days, etc.

Ask your coordinator for further details.

PROPERTY CHECKS

• The RCMP may advise COPs of residents who will be away for a period of time, who wish to have property checks. COPs patrol past these residences on their regular patrols to see that there are no obvious signs of criminal activity.• As a member of COPs, if you are planning on going on

vacation, arrange with your coordinator for these patrols.

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acopa.com(Click on Resources then Training Manual)

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