C.O.P. Logo

C.O.P.
Bylaws

A program of the Community Oriented Police
Division of the Beaumont Police Department

Board of Governors
Beaumont Citizens On Patrol
A Beaumont, Texas Nonprofit Organization
As Amended and Restated on February 14, 1996 and Amended on November 12, 1998


Table of Contents
Article I - NAME

Article II - PURPOSE

Article III - MEMBERS – MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNMENT AND MANAGEMENT

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS













Article I - NAME

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF BEAUMONT CITIZENS ON PATROL (C.O.P.), hereinafter called the Board of Governors or the Board, is an organization of concerned citizens established in partnership with the Beaumont Police Department to aid the Department in it’s efforts to control crime.



Article II - PURPOSE

The goal of Citizens on Patrol is to organize volunteer neighborhood patrols that will work with, and assist the Beaumont Police Department through non-confrontational activities. The citizens on patrol, made up of volunteers from neighborhood associations, will serve as trained observers providing information to police officers in order to reduce crime and deter criminal activity.

Article III - MEMBERS – MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Section I – MEMBERSHIP

a) Membership in the Board of Governors shall be open to any active member of a neighborhood association, together with an officer of the Beaumont Police Department, of the rank of lieutenant or above, appointed to the Board by the Chief of Police or his designee.

b) Ex-Officio Members – Membership in the Board shall include two nonvoting Ex-Officio members consisting of the President of the Federation and the Police Liaison who shall be a representative of the Beaumont Police Department appointed by the Chief of Police. Ex-Officio Members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of Board membership except the right to vote on matters before the Board.

Section II – TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Board of Governors shall be deemed to be canceled and terminated upon the death or resignation of the member, upon recommendation by the Beaumont Police Department, or upon such member ceasing to be a member in good standing of this Board as determined by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.

Section III – REPLACEMENT OF MEMBERS

Upon resignation or other termination of a member of the Board, (with the exception of Sergeant- at- Arms), a designated replacement will be nominated by the Chairperson and approved by the Board. The Beaumont Chief of Police or his designee shall appoint a replacement for the Sergeant-at-Arms, when and if that position becomes vacant.

Section IV – RIGHT TO VOTE

Every member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote upon every matter coming before the members and may cast his/her vote in person. Decisions will be determined by a majority of votes cast, except where otherwise specified in these Bylaws.

Section V – QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of regular members.

Section VI – ACCEPTANCE OF RULES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

By acceptance of membership in the Board of Governors, a member consents to these Bylaws, and the rules and regulations that the Officers adopt from time to time, and all amendments or changes therein now or hereafter adopted, and put into effect as provided in Article VII.



ARTICLE IV - GOVERNMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Section I – OFFICERS

Subject to these bylaws, the Board of Governors, the governing body of C.O.P., shall be governed and managed by the following elected officials: Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, Treasurer, Secretary, Equipment Captain, Scheduling Captain, and Sergeant-at-Arms. The members of the Board of Governors shall elect these officers, with the exception of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The Beaumont Chief of Police or his disignee will appoint the Sergeant-at-Arms. The elected officers shall hold office for the term of one year from the time of their election by the members of the Board of Governors.

Section II – NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The election of officers shall take place at the last meeting of the calendar year. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board at the December meeting to serve for one year, concluding with the election of the officers at a December meeting of the subsequent year.

Section III – TERM LIMITS

An officer shall not serve more than two consecutive whole terms in the same office. A partial term shall not be counted as a whole term. This provision may not be waived except by a tow-third (2/3) majority vote.

Section IV – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors shall:

a) Act as the Administrative Board of Citizens on Patrol, transacting all business of the Board of Governors, subject to the limitations of these Bylaws, with the exception of such business that by be delegated to and conducted by the participating neighborhood associations.

b) Subject to the bylaws of the Board of Governors, promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the Beaumont Citizens on Patrol.

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section I – CHAIRPERSON

It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to preside at all meetings of the Board of Governors and of the Officers acting as an Executive Board; to see that the Bylaws and rules and regulations governing the participating neighborhood associations and the members are enforced; to call such meetings a are necessary and required; to have general supervision over the affairs of the Board of Governors; and to regularly report to the participating neighborhood associations and to the members of the Board of governors. The Chairperson shall verify the recorded minutes of all meetings. The Chairperson or the Chairperson’s delegate shall schedule training sessions and be responsible for recruiting and certifying volunteers.

Section II – VICE-CHAIRPERSON

It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chairperson to act as assistant to the Chairperson in the administration of the affairs of the Board of Governors and, in the absence of the Chairperson, to preside at meetings and otherwise perform the administrative duties of the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall also serve s the Coordinating Officer of the activities of the participating neighborhood associations and shall perform other duties as delegated by the Chairperson.

Section III – TREASURER

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and deposit all monies to be held in the name of Citizens on Patrol in trust for the benefit of Citizens on Patrol, to have general charge of the books of the Board of governors, and to make periodic reports of the receipts, disbursements, and general financial condition of the Board of Governors.

Section IV – Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of the Board of Governors. The Secretary shall also give notice of all meetings where notice is required and shall handle the correspondence of the Board of Governors. The Secretary shall ensure that required logs are maintained and reports are submitted by participating neighborhood associations and members. The Secretary shall collect such data and information from participating neighborhood associations and members of the Board of Governors and issue regular reports to the members and the City. The Secretary is the custodian of all non-financial record of the Board.

Section V – Equipment Captain

It shall be the duty of the Equipment Captain to be responsible for inventorying, warehousing, distributing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing all equipment belonging to Citizens on Patrol and used or distributed to members of the Board of Governors or participating neighborhood associations.

Section VI – Scheduling Captain

It shall be the duty of the Scheduling Captain to establish schedules for volunteers and to ensure that schedules are established and maintained by participating neighborhood associations. The Scheduling Captain will ensure that each participating neighborhood association patrols a minimum of eight hours per week. The Scheduling Captain is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date roster of certified patrol volunteers and for ensuring that volunteers honor their patrol commitments or arrange for substitutes.

Section VII – Sergeant-At-Arms

It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-At-Arms to provide counsel and advice to individual members and the membership as a whole regarding members’ eligibility and conduct. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall review and approve all supplemental rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of the Citizens On Patrol program prior to their adoption by the Board. The Sergeant-At-Arms, together with the Police Liaison, shall ensure that the Board is informed of police matters affecting the operation of Beaumont Citizens On Patrol. Communications between the Board and the Chief of Police shall be the Chairperson in maintaining order at meeting and in mediating disputes among members.

Section VIII – MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

The Officers of the Board of Governors shall regulate and coordinate the various Citizens On Patrol programs organized by participating neighborhood associations, to participate in and promote fundraising activities and public relations activities, and to address problem areas.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

Section I – REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the Board of Governors will be held at least once each month on the second Thursday of each month or when called by the Chairperson.

Section II – SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Board of Governors will be held at such times as is determined necessary by at least three members of the Board.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Section I – AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

These Bylaws may be altered and amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by the following procedure: The proposed amendment or amendments must first be approved by an Officer of the Board of Governors. A proposed amendment that receives preliminary approval shall then be presented to the members of the Board of Governors for approval at a regular meeting or a meeting called for that purpose, after written notice is given to all members. Majority approval by the members of the Board of Governors shall constitute a valid amendment of these Bylaws.

Section II – SUPPLEMENTAL RULES

The Board of Governors may supplement these Bylaws through the adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations for the participating neighborhood associations and the eligibility and conduct of volunteers. However, the establishment of additional rules and regulations restricting basic membership rights and privileges shall be through amendments to these Bylaws. These Bylaws were approved by a majority of the Members of the Beaumont Citizens on Patrol Board of Governors at a special meeting held at the Beaumont Police Department, Beaumont, Texas on February 1, 1995.

These Bylaws were amended by a majority of the members of the Beaumont Citizens on Patrol board of Governors at a regular meeting held at the Beaumont Police Department, Beaumont, Texas on February 14, 1996.

These Bylaws were amended by a majority of the Members of the Beaumont Citizens on Patrol Board of Governors at a regular meeting held at the Beaumont Police Department, Beaumont, Texas on November 12, 1998.