Procedure 319 Civilian Observer Program

Question 0

.02. Station commanders may designate…

Answer 0

Assistant Station Commanders or Unit Directors to assist with coordinating and implementing the Civilian Observer Program.

Question 1

.02. The civilian observer program is administered and coordinated by…

Answer 1

The station commander having command authority over the service area.

Question 2

.04. Approval for any civilian to ride as an observer in a police vehicle must be…

Answer 2

Obtain in advance of each ride.

Question 3

.02. Who may participate in the Civilian Observer Program?

Answer 3

Any civilian who has received written authorization on SAPD form #166 – A.R., Civilian Observer Authorization and Release

Question 4

.04. Prior to approval the approving authority shall conduct a search in the…

Answer 4

Civilian observer program database and check if the civilian has been a rider previously.

Question 5

.04. Approval for any civilian to ride as an observer may be obtained in advance of each ride by contacting, in the service area, the following personnel:

Answer 5

– The station commander.
– Assistant station commander.
– Unit director.
– Commander of the Police training Academy
– Office of the chief.

Question 6

.04. If the civilian has been a rider previously…

Answer 6

The office of the chief will determine if the civilian will be approved to ride again.

Question 8

.04. Prior to approval, the approving authority shall complete a local…

Answer 8

Criminal history [P.M.N.I.] and warrant check [P.G.W.1.] then approve or disapprove the ride.

Question 8

.04. The approving authority shall ensure the individual permitted to ride will not be assigned to ride with…

Answer 8

Relatives on the department, including spouses.

Question 9

.04. The approving authority shall deliver a copy of SAPD form #166 - A.R. and a copy of the civilian’s. DL or ID card to the…

Answer 9

Supervisor of the officer assigned to the civilian observer rider.

Question 10

.04. The approving authority shall ensure the individual permitted to ride should not be in a physical or mental condition that would…

Answer 10

Hinder the officer from performing or jeopardize the safety of the rider and/or officer.

Question 11

.05. The use of audio and video recording devices during the ride is prohibited unless prior authorization is received from…

Answer 11

The police media services detail.

Question 12

.05. The civilian observer reports to the designated station or unit at…

Answer 12

[15] minutes prior to the start of the ride.

Question 14

.06. After conclusion of the ride observers return SAPD form 166 – C.O.C. and their copy of SAPD form 166 A.R. to the…

Answer 14

assigned officer, who returns the form to a supervisor, who then forwards it to the station commander.

Question 14

.06. The civilian observer program database will be maintained by…

Answer 14

The Office of the Chief.

Question 15

.06. Station commanders forward the original SAPD form 166 - A.R. and a copy of the civilians DL or ID card to the…

Answer 15

Office of the Chief.

Question 16

.06. Any incident involving the civilian observer is documented in a written report by the officer and is…

Answer 16

Routed through the officer’s chain of command to the office of the chief.