The object of the C.O.P. program is to provide more eyes and ears on the streets observing and reporting crime and/or suspicious activity. IT IS NOT A LICENSE FOR PEOPLE TO ACT LIKE POLICEMEN!
Program guidelines prohibit participants from actions that would place them in a confrontational situations.
Rules of Conduct:
Citizens on Patrol is a strictly non-confrontational program. Your safety is of extreme importance.
Patrollers are NOT police officers and are NOT empowered by the Beaumont Police Department to any degree higher than that of a citizen not involved with the program.
Firearms or other illegal weapons will NOT be carried by patrollers under any circumstances.
Patrollers will refrain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages or any illegal substances and/or medications that may potentially affect mental alertness for four hours prior to and during any patrol shift. Alcoholic beverages or other illegal substances may not be purchased while wearing Citizens on Patrol apparel or equipment.
Patrollers will not interact whatsoever with potential suspects or suspect vehicles.
Patrollers will obey all traffic laws while on patrol.
Patrollers will refrain from engaging in any activity that would put themselves or others in danger at any time.
Patrollers may observe activity while the patroller is in any public place or any private property where someone in control of the property has given them permission to be there.
Patrollers are not to approach the scene of a crime or other police activity without permission of a police officer. The police officer has total control of the scene of a police matter without interference. This is not meant in anyway, however, to prohibit a patroller to act as a witness, to act to assist a police officer at the officer's request, or to offer safe assistance to an officer without interfering with their duties.
Patrollers must carry their Citizens on Patrol official identification card while patrolling. It must be in plain sight.
Patrollers must call in and out of service at the beginning and the end of their patrol. It is usually best to call 880-3865, from your home. If unable to do so, the cell phones may be used. Keep in mind that, when calling 9-1-1 via cell phone, you may end up connecting with a 9-1-1 operator working for an agency other than Beaumont. Please pay attention to the operator's greeting when your 9-1-1 call is answered. If they do not answer "Beaumont 9-1-1", tell them "I need the Beaumont 9-1-1 operator please" and you should be transferred to the Beaumont 9-1-1 operator. Keep in mind that most other agencies do not have a Citizens on Patrol program and may be caught somewhat off-guard if this happens and you may even be forced to explain the situation. Please be courteous at all times.
If your cell phone is equipped to call the 832-1234 number, use this to report non-emergency calls to the police department; use 9-1-1 to report emergencies only. If your cell phone is equipped for 9-1-1 use only, it may be used to report non-emergencies; please use discretion when doing so.
For those patrollers who are certified to participate in the Handicap Parking program, please simply take the appropreate action at the scene and make a note of it on your patrol report. Do not call the police to report it unless a more serious problem arises. If a driver or occupant of the auto confronts you, explain politely and simply what you are doing and LEAVE. Do not get into a long discussion about it or argue. In any case, do not place yourself in a position of jeopardy. Time spent outside of your neighborhood, while participating in the Handicap Parking Program, will NOT be counted as C.O.P. patrol time.
Patrollers must remain within their neighborhoods when patrolling. This is not intended to stop you from going a street or two out of your area however, if it seems specifically warranted or appropriate. This rule is not inteded to apply to the City-Wide rideouts when all groups particiapte.
Experience has shown that speeds in excess of 50 to 55 mph may cause the magnetic car signs to come off and be lost. Govern patrol speed accordingly.
Patrol reports should be completed following each patrol. They must then be submitted to each neighborhood associations's designated member in a prompt and timely manner.
Final interpretation and enforcement of these rules rests with the Citizens on Patrol Board of Governors and/or Officer Tina Prichard or Officer Greg Pratt of the Beaumont Police Department. Lesser violations may be dealt with by the individual neighborhood groups. More serious violations may be cause for dismissal from the program and will be handled by the Board of Governors and/or Officer Tina Prichard or Officer Greg Pratt.