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Applicable To:  All employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  12/9/10

1.               PURPOSE

This written directive establishes responsibilities and standard operating procedures within the PAL Unit.

2.               POLICY

The Police Athletic League (PAL) Unit will provide a safe haven for children from communities throughout the city of Atlanta.  PAL will coordinate athletic activities and educational programs designed for PAL members.  PAL will also assist the Bureau of Parks and Recreation to facilitate a summer camp program.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The Community Oriented Policing Section Commander is responsible for the implementation of the PAL Unit and its programs.

3.2              PAL supervisors will monitor their subordinates to ensure conformity to this written directive.

3.3              Officers assigned to the PAL Unit will implement various academic and athletic programs for PAL members, including summer camp and school visits.

4.               ACTION

4.1              The Atlanta Police Athletic league is a cooperative effort of dedicated police officers, a Board of Directors, Atlanta businesses and citizens.  PAL is funded by public and private contributions, which are administered by the Board of Directors.  Funds raised for PAL are used to purchase and maintain equipment and material used by PAL participants.

4.1.1           Children living in Atlanta, between 8 and 18 years of age, are eligible to participate in the PAL Program.

4.1.2           Volunteers are welcome to participate by contacting the PAL commander at 404-799-2550.  Due to the nature of the PAL program, all volunteers will be subjected to criminal background checks.

4.1.3           The primary activities of the PAL program are to:

1.    Formulate sports programs to provide intramural competition for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth of Atlanta.

2.    Provide educational programs to assist youth with homework and areas of educational deficiencies.

3.    Provide individual counseling to students and youth; refer troubled youth to appropriate agencies for assistance. 

4.    Coordinate employee intramural sports competition within the Police Department.

5.    Maintain liaison between the Department and interested citizens for volunteer services.

4.2              PAL sport programs may include:

1.    Basketball

2.    Baseball

3.    Cheerleading

4.    Boxing

5.    Football

6.    Track and Field

7.    Weight Training

4.3              PAL art programs may include:

1.    Dancing

2.    Drama

3.    Theatre

4.4              PAL education programs may include:

1.    Computer Training

2.    Library Club

3.    Homework Assistance

4.    Safety Education

5.    After School programs

6.    Essay Contest

7.    Field Trips

4.5              During the summer months, PAL will coordinate the Camp Best Friends with the assistance of the Park and Recreation Department.

4.6              Vehicle Operating Procedures

4.6.1           The function of vehicles assigned to the Atlanta Police Athletic League (PAL) is to support the daily activities of the program.   

4.6.2           Due to commercial driver license (CDL) requirements, PAL staff members will not transport more than 15 persons (driver included) in an assigned van, without first obtaining a valid commercial drivers’ license.  In addition, at no time will the number of occupants exceed the number of installed seat belts in any assigned PAL vehicle. 

4.6.3           All vehicles must be inspected daily and any identified problem(s) must be documented and immediately reported to a PAL supervisor. The supervisor will subsequently determine whether to shop or maintain the vehicle in service.  All vehicles must be cleaned of all debris on a daily basis and the exterior washed when deemed necessary.

4.6.4           Staff personnel are authorized to transport team members and coaches to authorized athletic events.  This authorization includes transporting members from the PAL center or their respective residences located within the city limits of Atlanta and transporting to authorized events.

4.6.5           In support of non athletic events, PAL personnel will provide transportation to authorized PAL members from participating schools to participate in after school activities as defined by the PAL Commander.

4.6.6           When authorized by a parent or legal guardian, PAL personnel must transport members home or to an alternate location approved by the parent or legal guardian.  Staff personnel may also transport members that walk home on a space available basis when requested.

4.6.7           The use of assigned PAL vehicles is authorized for transporting summer camp members on field trips.  PAL personnel will not transport summer camp members to and from home. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for delivering, signing in each member, and picking up campers at the end of the camp day.

4.6.8           PAL personnel are not authorized to operate a designated PAL vehicle in an emergency mode while transporting authorized members.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  An authorized assigned PAL vehicle includes a 15 passenger van, marked patrol vehicles, and unmarked police vehicles.

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  APD.CM.09 Use of PAL Vehicles, signed June 1, 2009

                  APD.SOP.3192 Police Athletic League, signed June 15, 2004

7.               REFERENCES

                  Atlanta Police Athletic League by Laws

                  CALEA 5th Edition, Standard 44.2.5