NCJ Number
58940
Date Published
1978
Length
55 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER IN POLICE WORK, BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN NEW YORK STATE, IS EXAMINED, AND ISSUES ARISING FROM A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE VOLUNTEER POLICE EFFORT IN NEW YORK ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
THE REPORT WAS PREPARED FOR THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF MAYORS IN LIGHT OF THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING A JUNE 1976 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL TO PERMIT EXPANSION OF THE VOLUNTEER POLICE EFFORT. TAXPAYER GROUPS GENERALLY FAVORED THE USE OF POLICE VOLUNTEERS AND POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS OPPOSED THE CONCEPT. THE HISTORY AND STATUS OF VOLUNTEER POLICE, PARTICULARLY IN NEW YORK, ARE REVIEWED. LEGAL ISSUES (POWER TO ARREST, MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY, CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS) AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES (SCREENING OF APPLICANTS, TRAINING, PERSONNEL TURNOVER, DUTIES, USE OF WEAPONS, COMMAND ISSUES) PERTAINING TO THE USE OF VOLUNTEER POLICE ARE EXAMINED, TOGETHER WITH ECONOMIC AND MORALE-RELATED INFLUENCES ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS BY PROFESSIONAL POLICE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE VOLUNTEER POLICE CONCEPT HAS BEEN PROVED VALID IN MANY STATES, WITH BENEFITS OF COST EFFICIENCY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, SOURCES OF RECRUITS FOR REGULAR DEPARTMENTS, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. NEW YORK IS URGED TO ESTABLISH THREE LEVELS OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE POLICE SYSTEM (CIVIL DEFENSE, AUXILIARY OFFICERS, AND RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS) AND TO DEFINE CLEARLY THEIR DUTIES AND LEGAL STATUS. RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO THE SCREENING AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO OFFERED. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE ASSURED THAT VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT USURP THEIR JOBS. A TABLE SUMMARIZING DATA ON THE USE OF VOLUNTEER POLICE IN SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS IS INCLUDED, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE NEW YORK LEGISLATION. (LKM)