Citizens on Patrol

Citizens on PatrolCitizens on Patrol is a program that utilizes volunteers to help reduce or prevent crime. These special volunteers patrol their neighborhoods, becoming extra eyes and ears for the Palestine Police Department.

Why should you join Citizens on Patrol?

Volunteering with the Palestine Police Department allows individuals to actively contribute to their community's safety and well-being. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to work alongside local law enforcement, assist with community events, and provide valuable support to the department.
 
Volunteering with the police department can help you gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and make connections within you community. It can also be a fulfilling way to give back and make a positive impact on the community.
  • Fill out an application ONLINE today.

You must also pass a background check to qualify.

Participation Requirements

Interested in attending the next Citizens on Patrol class?

Persons participating in the Citizen’s Patrol program must:

  • Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
  • Must be a full-time resident of Palestine, Texas.
  • Have a valid Texas driver’s license or be active military with a valid out of state driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
  • Have a desire to volunteer and donate at least 6 hours of time per calendar month to patrolling, 1-2 hours for COP monthly meeting, and participate in at least one community event per year.
  • Must not have any criminal convictions, court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or any Class B misdemeanor within the past 10 years. Misdemeanors are subject to review.
  • Have no felony convictions. 
  • Have no outstanding warrants for arrest.
  • Successfully complete the Palestine Police Department Citizens on Patrol Training which will cover a range of topics, including legal aspects, patrolling techniques, rules of conduct, commonly observed offenses, and police communications.
  • Ability to recognize, understand and report suspicious activity. Skill in communicating effectively with individuals.
  • Agree to comply with PPD Policies & Procedures and Directives.
  • Pass a thorough background investigation and driving history review.
  • Complete the next Palestine Police Citizen’s Patrol Academy upon acceptance.

Applying

To sign up for the next available Citizens on Patrol new member orientation training course, you will first need to be processed and accepted as a volunteer for the City of Palestine Police Department. 

1. Complete an application online.
2.  Once you have submitted your application, a criminal history and driving history review will be performed.
3.  If you have successfully passed the criminal history and driving history review, you will be notified by email with additional information.

Training

Applicants must complete a 3-hour block of training. Within 45 days of completing training, they must then complete the following: 

  • Ride with one of our police officers for 5 hours, 
  • Sit in Dispatch for 1 hour, and 
  • Ride with a certified Citizens on Patrol member
  • Ride Along with program coordinator or officer

This gives a basic understanding of calls for service and situations the officers must handle. When both phases of training are completed, they receive a COPS identification card and required equipment items. 
They are then eligible to patrol with a partner. COPS members must also attend an upcoming Citizen Police Academy.

Duties

Volunteers will patrol the city in a vehicle that has been marked with decals identifying them as volunteers. At all times, volunteers will patrol in a two-person team and will have cell phone contact with our dispatch center.

Equipment

Members patrol in an assigned Citizens on Patrol vehicle. They are forbidden to carry weapons of any type even if they are licensed concealed carry permit holders. They are trained to observe and report criminal activity safely, not try to stop it.  

Individuals will use their cell phones to call incidents in to police dispatch.

Disqualifiers

  • Failure to properly complete and provide character references, employment information, and other information requested on the application.
  • Violations of the Palestine Police Department policies.
  • Been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Texas.
  • Been arrested for crimes of moral turpitude.
  • Used (tried), sold Marijuana, possessed Marijuana, or used Marijuana other than for experimentation. Experimentation cannot be within 5 years of applying.
  • Used (tried), sold, or possessed any dangerous drugs or narcotics including cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD, Methamphetamine, etc.
  • Been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed forces.
  • Had a pattern of abusing prescription drugs.
  • Must have no more than 4 traffic violations or preventable accidents in the past 5 years, with no more than 2 in the past 18 months. 
  • Been previously employed as a law enforcement officer and since has committed or violated federal, state, or city laws pertaining to criminal activity.
  • Lied during any stage of the volunteer screening or acceptance process.
  • Falsified any portion of their questionnaire or application.
  • The possession, carrying or attempt to carry a firearm on city premise to include all city facilities, vehicles, and any other applicable city property. This includes all individuals who possess a permit to carry a concealed handgun.
  • Possession of any firearms or other objects considered an illegal weapon as defined by the Texas Penal Code. Examples of some of the items are an expandable baton (asp), illegal knives, brass knuckles, etc.

Discretionary Disqualifiers 

The following disqualifiers may, upon review by the Palestine Police Department, make you, the applicant, ineligible and will be used to release a member from the Volunteer program at any time.

  • Non-Completion of all required applications and paperwork required to be filled out and signed by volunteers.
  • Failure to complete the required in-house training or academies necessary to properly train departmental volunteers.
  • A physical or mental disability that would substantially impair an individual’s ability to perform his/her duties or pose a threat to the safety if themselves or others.
  • Alcohol misuse and/or abuse prior to and/or during the volunteer term.
  • Commission of any felony prior to and/or during any volunteer term.
  • Any other conduct or pattern of conduct that would tend to disrupt, diminish, or otherwise jeopardize the public trust in the Law Enforcement Profession.
  • Breaches in Confidentiality.
  • The removal, copying, transmittal, or release of any information considered confidential or non-confidential.
  • Verbal release of any confidential information.
  • Inappropriate behavior relating to sexual harassment or any other types of racial slurs.
  • Any act or behavior tending to bring reproach or discredit on themselves or the department.

Fill out an application ONLINE today.