Help Wanted: Park Police Volunteers

[crashmore]

Help keep your parks safe by providing additional eyes and ears for the Park Police. Volunteers are trained in non-enforcement police duties that include foot, vehicle, horse or bike patrol, traffic control, parking, community events and outreach programs. Deadline for applications for next Training Academy is December 14, 2008.

Park Patrol Volunteers are required to attend all six sessions of the Training Academy in February, 2009, and complete 12 hours of field training. Once trained, volunteers are asked to serve at least 15 hours per quarter and attend a monthly meeting.

To apply online:
http://https://ec.volunteernow.com/r...cruiterID=1060

[nocro]

Help keep your parks safe by providing additional eyes and ears for the Park Police. Volunteers are trained in non-enforcement police duties that include foot, vehicle, horse or bike patrol, traffic control, parking, community events and outreach programs. Deadline for applications for next Training Academy is December 14, 2008.

Park Patrol Volunteers are required to attend all six sessions of the Training Academy in February, 2009, and complete 12 hours of field training. Once trained, volunteers are asked to serve at least 15 hours per quarter and attend a monthly meeting.

To apply online:
http://https://ec.volunteernow.com/r...cruiterID=1060

need to fix that link.

[saxman]

I had asked crashmore to post that for me. If anyone is interested in the program, or wants to find out more information, please drop me a PM.

It's a really good program. You get solid training that you can use in real-world situations. In addition, you have permission to ride anywhere on M-NCPPC land while on patrol, except for Nature Centers. I've taken advantage of that to ride on the much coveted hiker-only trails at Little Bennett. Also, if you ride with a partner, you can patrol any park at night as well.

The program could really use more participation from the MTB community. You can make an impact on the parks that we ride. Besides being "eyes and ears" for the uniformed officers, you also act as eyes and ears for the park itself, in terms of maintenance requests. In the past 12 months, I've had well over 50 maintenance requests acted on. This includes clearing fallen trees, trimming overhanging tree limbs, etc.

The time commitment is fairly minimal once you get through the Volunteer Academy. They are looking for 15 hours per quarter and to work at least one detail (non bike related activity) in that quarter.

[rizetech]

We ought to have everyone that applies/is doing it post up somewhere so we can more easily set up group things if people are itching to do a night time patrol but need a partner - i'm definitely considering doing this, it sounds like a lot of fun.

[saxman]

We ought to have everyone that applies/is doing it post up somewhere so we can more easily set up group things if people are itching to do a night time patrol but need a partner - i'm definitely considering doing this, it sounds like a lot of fun.

The program has its own Google site for posting items like this. Not all the volunteers are from MORE. One volunteer that I ride with frequently is a member of the Potomac Peddlers, for example.

[crashmore]

Hey Sax can you give some more insight into the training process and or program itself? I'm considering this myself, kinda wondering what to expect.

[jimh]

Couple of questions:

1) Can I carry a gun?

2) Will participating get me out of speeding tickets?

3) Will there be free doughnuts?

4) Can I yell "Freeze" as people pass me on climbs?

:)

[TiRyder]

Linky no worky.

Since I can't see the link, is this Maryland, Virginia, or Federal?

[thelankymanx2]

It is a Montgomery County Initative.

The working link is http://www.mncppcparks.org/police/volunteer.shtm and https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearch&recruiterID=1060

[saxman]

It is a Montgomery County Initative.

The working link is http://www.mncppcparks.org/police/volunteer.shtm and https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearch&recruiterID=1060

Thanks for posting the links correctly. Even though it is a Montgomery County initiative, you do not have to be a Montgomery County resident to be part of the program.

[saxman]

Hey Sax can you give some more insight into the training process and or program itself? I'm considering this myself, kinda wondering what to expect.

The training process includes the application, fingerprinting and background check. The applicant has to complete a ride along with a patrol officer and then a communications "ride-along" at dispatch prior to the academy.

The academy will consist of five sessions: Monday 2/2, Wed 2/4, Monday 2/9, Wed 2/11 from 6 to 9 and then a 9 to 4 session on Sat. 2/14. During these sessions the applicant will be trained in Park Rules and Regulations, go over the Volunteer SOP, have training in radio communications, crime reporting, and Park Police operations.

After the academy the now probationary volunteer will need to undergo CPR/First Aid training and Defensive Driving training if they want to operate a commission vehicle. The M-NCPPC offers monthly training classes in both.

New volunteers will need to undergo 8 hours (this may change with the new SOP) of field training with an experienced volunteer. These are broken into sessions where the volunteer first observes the experienced volunteer and then the new volunteer takes on more and more responsibility until the final patrol the new volunteer does all the work while the experienced volunteer is an observer. I'll be one of the field trainers for bicycle volunteers.

After the completion of field training, the volunteer may patrol whenever and wherever they choose. Night patrols do require a partner. The Community Services Division of Park Police, which runs the volunteer program, may ask you to work a community detail if you are available. You will be required to work at least one detail per quarter. Sometimes this is to help park cars, sometimes this passing out flyers, etc.

[saxman]

Couple of questions:

1) Can I carry a gun?

2) Will participating get me out of speeding tickets?

3) Will there be free doughnuts?

4) Can I yell "Freeze" as people pass me on climbs?

:)

Nope, nope, nope and nope. :D

In all seriousness, the position is a non-confrontational position, which means, if you see something going down, you use your radio to call in the folks who have the guns and the bulletproof vests to handle it.

However, you can be educational. For instance, if you see a dog off-lead, you can ask the owner "Do you have a leash?", or "Did you know your dog is supposed to be leashed", as opposed to "Get your @#$@# dog back on the leash". We actually had to dismiss a volunteer who got into an altercation with a park user when he said "Move over" versus "on your left". The first one is a command, the second is a request, or informational.

[saxman]

A few more tidbits for the program:

1. Being a Park Police Volunteer gives you credibility with the M-NCPPC land managers completely out of proportion to the number of hours the commitment requires. For instance, the reason we were able to get the night riding permit at Black Hill was because I presented myself as a volunteer.

2. The State of Maryland gives members of a police auxilliary a $3500 tax credit after 72 months of service. Yes, you have to wait six years to get the credit, but if you can stick with the program, it's yours.

3. Even prior to the 72 months, any items you purchase for the bicycle you designate as your "patrol" bike, you can deduct from your taxes. If you have a bicycle set aside solely for patrol duties, anything you buy for that bike is 100% deductible, such as chain lube, parts, tubes, tires, etc. If you use the bike half the time for patrolling, you can only deduct 50% of the amount. Mileage driving to and from the park you are patrolling (or to one of the police stations) is tax deductible as well.

[rizetech]

Typical patrol consists of what kind of activities?
Is this the sort of thing where you need to check in to an office each time you go to patrol in order to get equipment, or can you just do it when you realize you have enough free time to make a good 2 hours or so out of it?

[thelankymanx2]

Good work with the Volunteer work Saxman. Things like this give mountain bikers a foot in the door and provides us with added legitamacy.

Looks like a very good deal for people involved. I think that the tax deductibility of a bike would nearly be reason enough. Does the tax deductibily include the purchase of said bike?

I imagine that most of the time you would just be telling people to put their dog on the leash.

If I am in DC nexst year I will definately be signing up. Thanks for the info

[saxman]

Typical patrol consists of what kind of activities?
Is this the sort of thing where you need to check in to an office each time you go to patrol in order to get equipment, or can you just do it when you realize you have enough free time to make a good 2 hours or so out of it?

A typical patrol is going out into the park and just looking for things that just don't seem to fit: a car parked in a lot without tags, items that need maintenance, etc. They can be a minimum of 30 minutes in duration, but I typically set aside a 2 hour block of time to patrol to be able to get good coverage of park areas.

You can check in "in the field" if you want to patrol with a cell phone. However, if you want to use one of the radios (which is very strongly encouraged & recommended), you'd have to check out one of the radios located at Park Police HQ at Saddlebrook (Layhill Road, just east of Georgia), or at the Northern District Station at Black Hill.

[saxman]

Good work with the Volunteer work Saxman. Things like this give mountain bikers a foot in the door and provides us with added legitamacy.

Looks like a very good deal for people involved. I think that the tax deductibility of a bike would nearly be reason enough. Does the tax deductibily include the purchase of said bike?

I imagine that most of the time you would just be telling people to put their dog on the leash.

If I am in DC nexst year I will definately be signing up. Thanks for the info

Technically, if you buy a bike specifically for patrol duty, you could deduct it from your taxes (or depreciate it, I'm not an accountant). Or, if you use it 25% of the time for patrolling, you could deduct 25% of the cost.

Remember, it is a non-confrontational position, so you don't "tell" people to put their dog on a leash. You can ask them if they have a leash, or if they are aware of the leash law in the parks. Usually, they get the message. There is a lot of grey. If you're out on a trail and you see a well-trained dog off lead, but not causing any threat to other trail users, you can do nothing. We have a number of these types of dog encounters around the Lower Magruder. I let them by. However, if there is an aggressive dog off lead near a playground, I'm not going to ask the owner if they have a leash, I'm getting on the radio and calling in an officer.

[EJensen]

I looked around a bit to see whether there is an equivalent program in Fairfax County. I came across this (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/volunteer/parkmonitors.htm). I don't know any more than is on the site.

Regards,
Eric

[kmax]

I applied to this a couple of weeks back and have not heard anything yet. Where all the positions filled or am I just being a bit impatient? :o

[mtbGreg]

Couple of questions:

1) Can I carry a gun?

2) Will participating get me out of speeding tickets?

3) Will there be free doughnuts?

4) Can I yell "Freeze" as people pass me on climbs?

:)


Dwight Schrute?

[saxman]

I applied to this a couple of weeks back and have not heard anything yet. Where all the positions filled or am I just being a bit impatient? :o

Go ahead and PM me with your info. I can check on the status of your application

[CRAIG2]

Nope, nope, nope and nope. :D




Well, do they at least allow you to put little flashing red and blue lights on your handlebar? That'd be kind of bada$$.

You will respect my authori-tah! :D

[PunkRock]

I looked around a bit to see whether there is an equivalent program in Fairfax County. I came across this (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/volunteer/parkmonitors.htm). I don't know any more than is on the site.Thanks for the link. I'm going to check it out and find out more about the program in my 'hood.

[EJensen]

Thanks for the link. I'm going to check it out and find out more about the program in my 'hood.
Please post up what you find out.

Regards,
Eric

[saxman]

Well, do they at least allow you to put little flashing red and blue lights on your handlebar? That'd be kind of bada$$.

You will respect my authori-tah! :D

No flashing lights, but you do get a Shirt and an uber-cool ID badge. If you stick around long enough, you can get a windbreaker and parka. On community details you can usually pick up some schwag as well.

The radios are pretty cool, too, but the 800 mHz radios have to be signed out from the station. There are some older radios, but they're pretty much useless in the northern part of the county, or if you are deep in a stream valley. Going from the old radios to an 800 is like going from a TV set with rabbit ears to a 50" HD plasma screen

[PunkRock]

Please post up what you find out.

Regards,
EricYup, I will follow up after I learn more.

[PunkRock]

Yup, I will follow up after I learn more.Here's my followup. I filled out and submitted the Frfx Park Monitor Form (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/volunteer/parkmonitors.htm). I received a reply email the same day from the Parks Dept. In a nutshell, this volunteer program is all about citizens providing feedback about park conditions. Of interest is vandalism, unsafe conditions, downed trees, trail damage, etc. I've volunteered and will be helping out in the Lake Fairfax/Colts Neck/CCT areas, which is where I live and do most of my mtb'ing. I want to do my part to keep the neighborhood safe for my kids and everyone else.

[saxman]

There's still about a dozen slots open for the upcoming Volunteer Academy. Besides kmax, have there been any other takers?

[bunky]

Park Patrol Volunteers are required to attend all six sessions of the Training Academy in February, 2009, and complete 12 hours of field training. Once trained, volunteers are asked to serve at least 15 hours per quarter and attend a monthly meeting.


On what days/times will the 6 sessions be held?

[tomn]

On what days/times will the 6 sessions be held?

The academy will consist of five sessions: Monday 2/2, Wed 2/4, Monday 2/9, Wed 2/11 from 6 to 9 and then a 9 to 4 session on Sat. 2/14. During these sessions the applicant will be trained in Park Rules and Regulations, go over the Volunteer SOP, have training in radio communications, crime reporting, and Park Police operations.

After the academy the now probationary volunteer will need to undergo CPR/First Aid training and Defensive Driving training if they want to operate a commission vehicle. The M-NCPPC offers monthly training classes in both.

10 characters.

[tomn]

FYI, I don't know if anyone here applied for the Park Police volunteer gig but there are actually two Saturdays in February. (I didn't know this when I signed up, I'm going to be out of town the first weekend.) I found out today that the 9am-4pm sessions are on both 2/7 and 2/14. So for the first two weeks of the month it's 6-9pm Monday and Wednesday plus the two Saturdays.