§ 3. AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE

A.

FORCE ESTABLISHED: PURPOSE

There is hereby established in the City of Santa Fe a police reserve force to be known as the auxiliary police force in addition to the regularly constituted police force of the city. The purpose and necessity for the auxiliary police force is to aid in the creation of an active and efficient civil defense program in the city, and to aid the regularly constituted police force in the performance of its duties. The Auxiliary Force shall be comprised of duly certified officers through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

B.

PURPOSE, NEED AND IMPLEMENTATION

(1)

Assist the City of Santa Fe Police, both in line and support operations while in the performance of delegated duties, including calls for service.

(2)

As a group of volunteers augmenting the Regular Force, the Auxiliary Force will enable the availability of increased personnel to meet departmental goals and objectives.

C.

MAXIMUM NUMBER

The Auxiliary Force shall consist of not more than fifteen (15) members.

D.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

(1)

An application must be submitted to the Chief of Police accompanied by a signed waiver of liability for an in-depth background investigation.

(2)

Pending satisfactory results from the background investigation, the applicant must take both a physical and psychological examination, required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

(3)

Personnel file upon appointment must contain the following data:

(a)

Copy of birth certificate;

(b)

High school diploma or equivalent;

(c)

Fingerprint card; (fingerprinted by department)

(d)

Discharge papers if served in armed forces;

(e)

Specialized training certificates;

(f)

College transcript if attended prior to appointment;

(g)

Documentation of last re-qualification signed by Firearms Instructor;

(h)

Recent photograph;

(i)

Completion certificate of Basic Peace Officer Police Academy.

(4)

Appointment is made by the Chief of Police and confirmed by the City Manager.

(Ordinance No. 11-2001 of May 24, 2001)

E.

QUALIFICATIONS

(1)

To be appointed to the Auxiliary Force as an Auxiliary Officer, an applicant must fulfill the requirements herein and be a fully certified peace officer, as provided by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

(2)

Complete a probationary period satisfactory to the Chief of Police and FTO.

(a)

Work with and under the direct supervision of a Regular Officer or Supervisor, learning booking procedures, fingerprinting, required paperwork, its structure, etc.

(b)

Required to complete sixteen (16) hours minimum service per month.

(c)

Once the initial training has been completed, the Auxiliary Officer must continue to ride with a Regular Officer until the FTO, Supervisor or Chief feels the Officer is capable of working or riding alone.

F.

COMMISSION

(1)

Upon being appointed by the Chief of Police and being confirmed by the City Manager, the applicant's commission will be activated by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer's Standards and Education and the applicant will then be classified as a non-paid officer with the Auxiliary Force of the City of Santa Fe Police Department.

(Ordinance No. 11-2001 of May 24, 2001)

(2)

The Chief of Police may approve an Auxiliary Officer to carry a service weapon while on probation upon documentation of firing range qualification before obtaining uniforms. (During the training period, the Auxiliary officer will be under the direct immediate supervision of Regular Officers and Ranking Officers while on duty.)

G.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(1)

The Auxiliary Force is under control and direct supervision of the Chief of Police or designee.

(2)

Operations Liaison Officer, an Auxiliary Officer appointed by the Chief of Police, will coordinate the activities of the Auxiliary Force through the Patrol Supervisor of shift scheduled to work.

(3)

Auxiliary Officers are required to complete sixteen (16) hours per month on active duty. Approved training hours will count toward this requirement.

(4)

Policy to remedy non-compliance of number of working hours per month required:

(a)

The officer will be required to make up any lost hours within two (2) months following the month in which the service hours were insufficient. Failure to do so may result in suspension or discharge.

(b)

Habitual non-compliance over a period of time will be reviewed by the Chief of Police or a recommendation by Supervisors for dismissal in writing to the Auxiliary Officer.

(c)

Auxiliary Officers may request, in writing, a leave of absence, submitted to the Chief of Police, explaining the reason and the length of time of the leave. The Chief of Police will, in writing, respond with his/her approval or disapproval and a copy of both will be placed in that officer's file.

(5)

Upon completion of FTO training, acceptable by the FTO and the Chief of Police, Auxiliary Force members will be allowed to operate a patrol vehicle alone for the purpose of patrol duties.

H.

COMPENSATION

(1)

Auxiliary force personnel will not receive compensation from the City of Santa Fe for rendering their normal duties. Normal duties include, but are not limited to, parade activities, special functions, etc.

(2)

Auxiliary force personnel recommended by the Auxiliary Police Sergeant and approved by the Chief of Police may participate in the Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) as established by the Chief of Police. The STEP may be modified by the Chief of Police subject to approval of the City Manager. Such officers may be compensated at a rate of entry level police officer and entry level police sergeant according to the collective bargaining agreement in force. However, said officers shall not be a part of the collective bargaining unit nor shall they be covered by the collective bargaining agreement. Officers in the STEP will be considered part-time employees as defined by the city's personnel policies.

(Ordinance 02-2002 of January 24, 2002)

I.

UNIFORM AND IDENTIFICATION

(1)

Auxiliary Officers will be issued a uniform, badge, and identification card.

(2)

Auxiliary Officers will be required to purchase bullet proof vest at own expense and will be reimbursed by the city upon completion of one year service to the city.

(3)

Officers will furnish their own service weapon (minimum .38 caliber revolver 4" or 9mm semi automatic), gun belt, and boots.

(4)

Auxiliary Force Officers will carry evidence of their appointment while on active duty.

J.

POLICE POWERS OF AUXILIARY FORCE

(1)

Powers and authority will be that of a Regular Officer as set down by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

K.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

(1)

Auxiliary Officers are required to attend a minimum of twenty (20) hours of specialized training per year or forty (40) hours in two years. This minimum will be made available by the Santa Fe Police Department.

(2)

Auxiliary Officers must qualify on Firing Range under the direction and supervision of a certified Firearms Instructor once a year.

(3)

Auxiliary Officers must maintain required mandated hours set forth under Texas, Government Code Chapter 415.034 requiring reserve officers to include 3939 and 3737.

L.

DISCIPLINE/DISCHARGE

(1)

Any member of the Auxiliary Force may be disciplined or discharged at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

(2)

Discipline or discharge may be reviewed by the Chief of Police upon the request of any supervisor.

(Ordinance No. 10-98 of March 26, 1998)