Applicable To: All employees assigned to the School Detectives Unit and law enforcement explorers

Approval Authority:  Major S.M. O’Brien

Signature:  Signed by SMO

Date Signed:  2/1/2005

1.               PURPOSE

Establish policies and procedures for the Law Enforcement Explorer program.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department will work in partnership with the community to promote and involve youth in police operations, to develop their interest in law enforcement careers, and to build mutual respect and understanding between the youth in the community and the Department.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The School Detectives Unit commander will coordinate through the Atlanta Public School System a program for the development and supervision of the Law Enforcement Explorers program.

3.2              Law Enforcement Explorers will follow all policies and procedures set forth in this directive and the Atlanta Police Department Law Explorers Manual.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Students participating in the Atlanta Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Program are participants in a voluntary program: they have no legal powers of arrest or the authority to speak on the behalf, or as representatives of, the Atlanta Police Department.

4.1.1           Explorers must remember that they are not sworn law enforcement officers, and that the best way to support a police officer is to be a good witness. Explorers will not at any time intervene during a crime in progress, especially violent crimes, but will maintain a safe distance and be mindful of information that can be communicated to the 911 operator for the safety of responding officers.

4.1.2           Explorers will not approach or interact with responding officers until the scene has been secured and the conflict has ended.

4.2              Explorers will receive bi-monthly training in leadership skills, crime prevention, drug prevention, identification, self-defense tactics, traffic control, crowd control, handcuffing and first aid, etc.

4.2.1           The Department may provide additional training as necessary, as determined by the Section commander. 

4.3              The duties of the Law Enforcement Explorers are as follows:

1.    Traffic Control: Explorers may direct traffic under the direction of a School Detective Unit employee. Explorers may not under any circumstances enforce traffic laws while directing traffic.

2.    Ride-a-Long: Explorers may have special authorization to ride along with officers in the field at the discretion of the Chief of Police or his/her designee.  Each Explorer must comply with all applicable provisions for “ride-a-longs” as outlined APD.SOP.3087 “Civilians in Patrol Vehicles”.

 

3.    Administrative Duties: Explorers may be given the opportunity to voluntarily provide administrative support to the Department in various units, at the discretion of the Section commander, in order to gain a greater understanding law enforcement as a career choice.

4.4              The Explorer duty uniform and equipment will be clearly distinguishable from the uniform(s) of sworn personnel. The Investigations Section commander will determine the uniform, patches, and/or insignia. Explorers will wear the uniform in accordance with the Law Enforcement Explorers Manual as established by the School Detective Unit.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

APD.CM.04.107 Law Enforcement Explorers Program, issued November 22, 2004
     

7.               REFERENCES

APD.SOP.5180 School Detectives Unit

Atlanta Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Manual