* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Conaway
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Investigative Hearing - Baltimore City Auxiliary Police Unit
FOR the purpose of requesting the Baltimore Police Commissioner and the Coordinator of the Auxiliary Police Unit to report to the City Council on the historic and current use of Auxiliary Police in Baltimore City, requirements for service, training program components, and any plans for expansion in size and deployment of the Unit.
body
Recitals
The Reserve Police Officers Association, a leading association for reserve, auxiliary, and special law enforcement officers, reports that reserve law enforcement has been in existence before the concept of modern policing took hold in the mid to late 19th century. In the 1940s, many communities across the United States, including Baltimore City, created volunteer auxiliary police units to provide law enforcement services to communities that had lost manpower to the military and needed extra protection during the war.
The Public Local Laws provide for the creation of Baltimore City's Auxiliary Police Force: "to be used only to render assistance to the Police Department in service functions including, but not limited to, traffic, communications and clerical duties. The purpose of the Auxiliary Police Force is to relieve the regular police personnel for law enforcement duties." The unit has consistently comprised 40 volunteer members who assist the Baltimore Police Department mainly in crowd control at sporting and other special events.
As is evidenced by the Association, "the future of reserve law enforcement is one of growth. Across the U.S. and the world, law enforcement agencies are looking to reserve law enforcement to supplement, but not replace, career police services". Los Angeles, California, Phoenix, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas are in the forefront of the movement. In Los Angeles, Reserve Unit activities include crosswalk enforcement, registration enforcement, front licence plate enforcement, vehicle lighting enforcement, and vehicle impound assignment.
In Phoenix, officers in the Reserve Division receive academy training, are issued police equipment, including firearms, are paid for court time, and receive workers' compensation insurance. These officers, who are required to work at least 16 hours a month but often contribute much more time, are given the opportunity for advancement. Following a good performance as a patrol officer and the successful completion of the requisite selection processes, reserve officers may advance to detective or other specialty positions such as motorcycle officer, training officer, or helicopter pilot.
For over 50 years, the Dallas Police Reserve Battalion has worked as an integral part of the Dallas Police Department. Started as a group of citizens who assisted officers, today it has evolved into a group of men and women who work in the same capacity as full-time officers. The Reserve Officers must go through a year of training and maintain the same Texas Basic Peace Officers License as full-time officers. The Dallas Police Department invests over $2,000 dollars on each recruit and expects a good faith commitment of at least 2 years of service.
As the fight against crime places on sworn officers increased demands, driven by more sophisticated and better armed criminals, and as the urgency of maintaining homeland security mounts, the role of the Auxiliary Police needs to be revisited. It needs to be determined if Baltimore's Auxiliary Police Force is being utilized to its fullest potential in serving and protecting the citizens of Baltimore.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Baltimore Police Commissioner and the Coordinator of the Auxiliary Police Unit are requested to report to the City Council on the historic and current use of Auxiliary Police in Baltimore City, requirements for service, training program components, and any plans for expansion in size and deployment of the Unit.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore Police Commissioner, the Coordinator of the Auxiliary Police Unit, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 0829~intro/09Sep09
ccres/Auxiliary/nf
dlr 0829~intro/09Sep09
??2??
ccres/Auxiliary/nf