Police Auxillary

NATURE OF WORK
This is responsible police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.

Work involves responsibility for assisting the Police Division of the Department of Public Safety for the prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, and enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work includes preventive patrol, traffic regulation, and special assignments. Supervision is received from a superior officer who reviews work in progress and the overall effectiveness of an employee's performance. Work involves extensive public contact. Work involves an element of personal danger.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Responds to police alarms and other emergencies when called upon.
• Patrols the city, or an assigned area thereof, in a patrol car or on foot; prevents and discovers the commission of crime, detains offenders; enforces vehicle, traffic, and parking laws and ordinances; makes the police presence known in a manner that contributes toward deterrence of law violations.
• Answers calls for service when directed.
• Knowledge of the geography of the city and adjacent areas.
• Testifies as a witness in court.
• Prepares required reports on offenses, incidents, and related matters.
• Assists in traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents which may attract crowds; performs assigned duties at parades, processions, demonstrations, and sporting events; checks and reports on deficient street lights, signs, road surfaces, or other facilities.
• Performs related work as required.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK
Graduation from high school; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Knowledge, or the ability to acquire knowledge within a reasonable period of training, of modern police practices and methods; of appropriate federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, particularly the lows of arrest, search and seizure and evidence; of the geography of the city; of the rules and regulations of the Police Division; and of first aid principles and practices.
• Ability to deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Ability to analyze emergency situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper courses of action.
• Ability to obtain information through interview and interrogation.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Ability to meet specific physical requirements that may be established by appropriate authority.
• Skill, or ability to acquire skill within a reasonable period of training, in the use and care of any approved and authorized secondary weapon.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
A valid Ohio driver's license.

Accident Investigation

A:

Animal Control: Badge #1692

Animal Control Officer Diane Williams is a 13 year veteran of the Berea Police Department. Williams worked in the Berea Police Department dispatch office for the first 12 years of her time with the city.

This is responsible work in the enforcement of laws and ordinances pertaining to animals.

Work involves responding to complaints about animals, impounding unlicensed and stray animals, and caring for impounded animals. Work also involves responsibility for maintaining records on activities, and on animal bites and for taking action in cases of persistent problems. Work is performed under the general direction of superiors but requires the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Work requires extensive public contact.

Receives and investigates complaints relating to animals; impounds stray or unlicensed animals. Maintains animal pound; feeds and cares for impounded animals; releases animals to owners and the county animal warden. Maintains records on animal bites; impounds animals which have bitten a person or persons according to established laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures; contacts owners. Maintains records of animals reported lost and found; maintains other records as necessary according to established procedures. Maintains working relationship and is City of Berea’s liaison with Animal Rescue Fund.

Child Restraint Seating

A:

Codified Ordinances

The Berea Clerk of Council maintains a complete record of all the Codified Ordinances.

Community Service Officers

A:

D.A.R.E. Program

A:

Detective Bureau

A:

Dispatchers

A:

City Jail

Visitation: JRP 6 ; This policy became effective on January 25, 2006. It is scheduled for review as needed. It is classified under Jail Rules & Procedures. You should refer to Ohio Administrative Code section 5120:1-10-07 for additional information.

POLICY
It is the policy of the Berea City Jail to allow visitation in order to reduce the anxiety associated with being incarcerated (especially for the first time), facilitate arrangements for release, and seek assistance from immediate family and attorneys in preparing a defense. It is the policy of the Berea City Jail that contact visits are not allowed. Under unusual circumstances, the shift officer in charge may permit a visitor other than immediate family.

PROCEDURE:

General: Each prisoner shall be allowed visitation rights governed by the jail rules and regulations. The Berea City Jail shall attempt to make visitation as convenient as possible for both the prisoner and visitor.

Regular Visits:

Schedule: Visiting hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 1600 to 1700 hours. Evening hours are Wednesday and Sunday from 2100 to 2200 hours. When circumstances prevent visits from occurring during visiting hours, special visits can be allowed at times and under conditions as approved by the jail administrator or the shift supervisor.  Under unusual circumstances, a visitor may be allowed to see a prisoner at any time at the discretion of the shift supervisor.

Limitations: Only one prisoner will be permitted in the visitation booth at a time. Immediate family, clergy, probation/parole officers and attorneys only.

Sign-In: Visitors will sign the visitation log at the front desk and must note the date, time, their name and the prisoner being visited, and length of visit. Each visitor shall be required to present proper identification to the jail officer. If any discrepancy exists with the identification, the shift supervisor will be summoned and shall make the final decision.

Order: Visits will take place in the order in which visitors have signed the log.

Duration: Under normal circumstances, no visit will exceed fifteen (15) minutes.

Escort: The jail officer on duty will escort both prisoners and visitors to and from the visitation booth.

Supervision: The jail officer will remain in the hallway during each visit, will time the visit, and will escort each prisoner back to the cell area. The prisoner will be searched before returning to the cell area.

Denial of Visits: All denial of visits will be documented in the Jail Log.

The Jail Administrator may suspend visitation privileges when there are substantial reasons to justify limitations.

The shift supervisor may deny a visit if:

• The visitor represents a clear and present danger to security;
• The visitor is disruptive or dangerous;
• The visitor has a recent history of disruptive behavior at the jail;
• The visitor is under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• The visitor refuses to be subject to a search or show proper identification when requested; or
• The prisoner refuses the visit. Any such denial will be documented by the officer with the notation in the Jail Log.
• When the condition that causes the denial of visitation no longer exists, visitation privileges will be restored.
• Visits by Attorneys, Clergy, Probation Officers, Parole Officers, or other Officials.
• Upon presentation of valid identification, judges of courts within the county, probation officers, members of the Grand Jury, the Prosecuting Attorney or his staff, staff of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the Ohio Parole Board and its representatives, peace officers from Ohio law enforcement agencies, clergy, and the attorney of record will be allowed to visit with a prisoner at any reasonable time during daytime and evening hours. Such visits may be delayed if the staff is busy with other assigned duties.

Special Visits
Family of prisoners may be allowed to visit at times other than regular visiting hours if procedures set forth below are observed.

Circumstances: The following circumstances will be taken into account by the jail officer on duty in deciding whether to grant a visit at times other than the regularly scheduled visiting times:

• The visitors have traveled more than 100 miles and were unaware of or legitimately unable to comply with the regular visiting schedule; or
• An event of personal significance has occurred for the prisoner (e.g., death of a spouse, sibling, or parent) and the visit may help to reduce the ill effects of the event on the prisoner.

Conditions: Special visits will take place in the visitation booth and will be limited to thirty (30) minutes.

Supervision: The special visit will be supervised in accordance with regular visitation procedures.

Visitation Booth
The visitation booth will be used for all visitations.
The visitor will be escorted to the visitation booth first and seated inside the visitor's portion of the booth.
The prisoner will be escorted to the visitation booth and placed in the prisoner's side. The door on the prisoner's side will be securely closed while the prisoner is inside.
Officers are permitted to observe but not listen to the visit.

PERMITTED ITEMS / PROPERTY

• Reading/writing material
• Magazines, books, newspaper, etc are permitted for all prisoners.
• No writing instruments are permitted.
• Radios, TV'S Permitted only to those individuals serving commitments- must be battery powered.
• Food - No food from outside shall be accepted. Fast food (McDonalds, Burger King etc.) is NOT permitted.
• Clothing
• Changes of clothes may be received. The clothing is to be closely checked for articles that are not permitted in the facility. The clothing articles are to be either given to the prisoner or placed in the individual property locker by the officer receiving the articles and they are to be noted on the booking slip as property received.

SUMMARY
The above duties and restrictions are expected to be followed on a general basis. Those prisoners who have demonstrated their ability not to abuse any privileges may, at the OICs discretion, be permitted a degree of variance from strict enforcement. They may be permitted to make extra phone calls, etc.. These privileges may be withdrawn at any time the prisoner demonstrates an abuse of the privileges

Juvenile Officer

A:

K-9 Unit

The Police Dog program was founded in 1969 by Chief Jim Hinners.

• Ptl. Mike Johnson & Max 1989 - 1996
• Ptl. Tim Miller & Ben 1989 - 2005
• Ptl. Tim Miller & Ciro 2005 - 2008
• Prl. Tim Miller & Lobo Current

OVI Task Force

What is OVI? OVI is an acronym for Operating a Vehicle Impaired.
Formerly known as DWI, DUI, OMVI, or drunk driving, the Ohio General Assembly changed the statute to OVI in January 2005 to more accurately reflect the actual scope of the offense since it doesn't necessarily require "driving" or that the "operation" be in a "motor vehicle."

WHAT DOES "PHYSICAL CONTROL" MEAN?
What does "Physical Control" mean? Ohio's Physical Control Statute, O.R.C. 4511.194, became effective on 1/1/05. Physical Control is similar to an Ohio OVI/Ohio DUI charge in that it deals with being in a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse with one exception, Physical Control does not require that the vehicle have ever been driven or even started.

The best example of a Physical Control violation is the person who staggers out of the tavern and decides to "sleep it off" in their vehicle. Often times what happens is the person starts the car, either to run the air conditioner or the heater, so the vehicle is actually running, then goes to sleep. However, one need not have the car running or even have the keys in the ignition in order to be in violation of O.R.C. 4511.194 - Physical Control. Under the statute, having the keys within reach will satisfy the definition of having "physical control."

Patrol

The Patrol Division of the Berea Police department is comprised of 3 seven man shifts. These shifts are directed by a shift Sergeant and operate under a seniority system. The three shifts rotate their 8 hours work days every 6 weeks. This shift rotation exposes the Patrol to the needs of the City of Berea at all hours of a day.

The Patrol Division is responsible for traffic enforcement, initial incident reporting, reactionary complaint enforcement, preventative enforcement, parking enforcement, and community policing. Examples of duties performed on a given day are domestic disturbance response and intervention, arrest warrant service, traffic regulation monitoring, motor vehicle accident response, theft and violence incident reporting, vehicle lock out service, prisoner care, and community outreach.

Records

Resource Officer

A:

Ride Along Program

This policy became effective on August 26, 1992 and was last revised on July 9,1993. It is scheduled for review as necessary. It is classified under Operations.
POLICY
It is the policy of the Berea Police Department to project a positive public image and to emphasize the importance of good public relations. In an effort to develop that relationship, the citizens must have an understanding of the operations and functions of a law enforcement agency.

The Berea Police Department has created a citizen involvement program called the Berea Police Department RIDE- ALONG PROGRAM. This program is instituted as a public relations tool with the purpose of allowing the public, through individual experience, to observe, first hand, the police function and purpose.

DEFINITIONS
SPONSORED APPLICANT
Individual requesting participation in the Ride - Along program who is sponsored by a Berea Police officer.

WALK IN APPLICANT
Individual requesting participation in the Ride Along Program who is a resident of Berea and not sponsored by a Berea Police Officer.

COORDINATING OFFICER
Officer assigned to coordinate the scheduling of "walk in" applicants. This officer also maintains all records involved in the Ride along Program.

ESCORTING OFFICER
An officer who volunteers, on a case by case basis, to escort the Ride Along Applicants while on duty on their regular shift. This officer also investigates and determines the eligibility of walk in candidates.

PROCEDURE

• Persons desiring to participate in the Ride along Program must first fill out the Application For Ride Along Program form (10-7). All information requested on the application must be supplied by the applicant. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
• The application may be submitted to the police department in two ways:

1. The walk in candidate will submit the completed application to the personnel; on duty at the Dispatch Office. The application form will then be forwarded to the Operations Lieutenant who will forward the application to the escorting officer scheduled for duty during the time listed as the applicants first choice of Ride Along hours.
2. The sponsored applicant will submit their completed application to the sponsoring officer, who will be the escorting officer.

• The escorting officer will be responsible for conducting the interview with the applicant and determining whether or not the applicant is eligible to participate in the program. The escorting officer will note the following items on the back of the form:

1. Time and date of interview with the applicant
2. Officer's name and car assignment
3. Date and hours requested to ride
4. Manpower for shift on day requested
5. Officer's recommendation of approval or denial

• The application is then to be forwarded to the shift sergeant for his comments and approval or denial is to be noted.
• The application will then be forwarded to the Operations Lieutenant for review and then to the Chief's Office for final approval.
• The applicant's eligibility may be denied by any of the personnel involved in the approval process, without any right of appeal. The applicant may , however, apply for the Ride Along Program during the hours of another shift.
• Before participating in the Ride Along Program, the applicant must sign the Authorization To Ride In Police Cruiser form (10-6) provided by the Berea Police Department. If the applicant is under the age of eighteen (18), the applicant's parent or guardian must sign the waiver form in the presence of the escorting officer. The waiver form will be included in the file along with the application form.
• Prior to the shift, the officer in charge or the escort officer shall instruct the participant in the Ride Along procedures. The participant will be supplied with a copy of the Guidelines For Ride Along Participants (10-4).
• Special consideration of the safety of the participant is paramount at all times during their participation in the program. Although normal procedure will be followed during the shift, circumstances that would present a 'greater than normal" risk to the passenger shall be avoided. The escorting officer will decide whether to request the participant exit the cruiser prior to responding to such calls. If it is necessary to "drop off" the participant, they shall be dropped off at a safe location and picked up again as soon as possible.

Southwest Enforcement Bureau

The Berea Police Dept. is a member of the Southwest Enforcement Bureau which is a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team. This SWAT team is made up of 18 different suburbs all of whom donate money and manpower to equip and man this team. Our team includes tactical members, bomb technicians, hostage negotiators, snipers and medics. Our equipment includes a bomb truck with explosive container, an armored vehicle which can be used to deliver a team or rescue victims, and a new $300,000 command post. We have been used for barricaded subjects, hostage situations, crowd control, and area searches for lost people and children. We have even been used on presidential details.