NCJ Number
211144
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 110-113
Date Published
August 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the features of an effective program that uses volunteers in writing tickets for violations of handicapped parking laws.
Abstract
Some States have passed laws that allow trained volunteers to enforce handicapped parking laws. This article advises that agencies must be selective in choosing the right persons for this work, since a program's success depends on the commitment, integrity, and professionalism of the volunteers. Ideally, volunteers should be recruited from the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, Citizens on Patrol, or Volunteers in Patrol programs. Agencies that do not have such a readily available pool of committed volunteers knowledgeable in police policy and procedures could recruit volunteers from neighborhood watch programs and other police-community partnership programs. Volunteers should be required to graduate from the Citizens Police Academy in order to familiarize them with the particular agency and its policing practices. Every volunteer should be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, have a valid driver's license and current liability insurance, and complete certification training. In addition, training should cover handicapped parking laws, the nature and identification of violations, and procedures for writing and recording tickets. Issued equipment should include at a minimum official identification cards, warning/citation forms, a Polaroid camera with film to document violations, ball point pens, and an equipment bag. The main benefits of such a volunteer program are the freeing up of sworn officers to handle more pressing and demanding calls for service and the more frequent and consistent enforcement of handicapped parking laws.