PROPOSED Minimum Standards for a Volunteer Peace Officer Program

•          All Volunteer Peace Officer Programs shall be Registered with NYS DCJS

•          A Volunteer Peace Officer shall be defined as an unpaid employee of a Registered VPO Program, and has been trained by a local Police or Sheriff’s department, or other authorized agency as a Volunteer Peace Officer as prescribed by the NYS DCJS.

•          Applicants must have reached the minimum age of 21 years at time of appointment.  Maximum age for appointment shall be 65.

•          Applicants over 65 may be accepted as members for Administrative Duties Only. Those Members that reach the age of 65 after appointment will be required to pass a bi-annual physical given by an authorized Police Surgeon to determine suitability for active Volunteer Peace Officer work. This will include eyesight correctable to a minimum standard as prescribed by the NYS DCJS. They may be re-assigned to non-patrol functions should they fail to pass the physical and want to continue to serve.

•       Members over the age of 18, but under the age of 21 may ride along as observers in a program but must wear a distinctively different uniform and shall not be covered under this Section as a Volunteer Peace Officer.

•      Applicants must pass a general physical given by an authorized Police Surgeon to determine suitability for active Police type work. This will include eyesight correctable to a minimum standard as prescribed by the NYS DCJS.

•         Applicants must pass a basic physical agility test as prescribed by the NYS DCJS.

•         Applicants must pass a psychological exam as prescribed by the NYS DCJS

•          Applicants must be in overall excellent physical condition with height and weight proportional as prescribed by the NYS DCJS.

•         Applicants must be a United States citizen.

•         Members may be required to live or work within the district during the entire duration of their employment.

•        Applicants must maintain a valid Driver’s License issued by their state of residence. If the applicant is not a NYS Resident he/she must secure a NYS Non-Driver Identification Card issued by the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

•          Driving record must be free of major violations.

•         Applicants must be proficient in the use of the English language. Both verbally and written

•          Neatly trimmed beards will be permitted ONLY for confirmed religious or medical reasons

•          Applicants must pass an interview process and evaluation by the employer, who shall explain the responsibilities and special duties of the work involved. The employer shall provide the applicant a copy of the Standard Operating Procedures & Standing Orders.

•         A copy of these SOP’s & Orders shall be on file with the NYS DCJS.

•         Applicants must be fingerprinted and pass a FBI check as well as a Local check to be administered by local law enforcement.

•      Applicants must pass an approved course for VOLUNTEER PEACE OFFICERS as prescribed by the NYS DCJS. This training may also include provisions required to perform any special duties assigned by the Employer, which are applicable to their department’s SOP’s including unarmed self-defense, the use of impact weapons, the use of chemical weapons, traffic control and proper driving skills.

•       If the employer will be authorizing the Officer to carry a fire arm, his/her training must comply with current training for Peace Officers with firearms as prescribed by the NYS DCJS, and possess the appropriate license pursuant to section 400.00 of the penal law.

•       All Applicants must successfully pass all required tests

•       Upon completion of all required classes and tests the successful applicant will be Registered with NYS DCJS as a Volunteer Peace Officer and will have the legal status of a PEACE OFFICER while ON DUTY, and  while performing authorized activities pursuant to their special duties .