North Miami Beach  Citizens Patrol

The North Miami Beach Police Departments Citizen Patrol program was conceived in August of 1981. This program has significantly helped to reduce crime in our community.

This program consists of adult volunteers who are equipped with hand-held radios and/or cellular telephones and patrol the City of North Miami Beach looking for suspicious activity or potential victims.

In order to become a member of the Citizens Patrol, a person must be:

• at least 18 years of age,
• complete an application form, and
• sign a Release Waiver and Indemnification Agreement,
• and the following:

Once the police department receives the above-completed documents, the department will conduct a candidate background investigation and drivers license check. Upon completion of a satisfactory background check and drivers license check, the Crime Prevention Unit Supervisor will review and approve the application. The applicant will then be notified in writing of his acceptance into the Citizens Patrol as a probationary member. A CP ID card will be issued to the probationary member along with a CP uniform shirt and pair of slacks. Both the ID card and the uniform are to be worn during all phases of his or her probationary training.

The probationary requirements include a minimum of 2 ride-along periods with a NMBPD officer. This officer will evaluate the probationary members overall ability to comprehend and actively function in a police department environment. If the probationary member is satisfactorily evaluated by the police officer, the member will be referred to the next phase of training. The probationary member will then be assigned to a CP field-training officer. Initial training will consist of a classroom review of the CP policies and procedures. After the review, a written test will be given to the probationary member. A passing grade of 100 percent is required. The probationary member will then be required to ride-along with his assigned CP Field-Training Officer and successfully complete a Field Training Program. During this period, the probationary member will be judged on his or her ability to perform the required duties of a Citizens Patroller. A final probationary evaluation of the member by his or her FTO will be completed and forwarded to the Crime Prevention Unit Supervisor. This evaluation will include one of the following recommendations:

• Be accepted as a regular member of the Citizens Patrol.
• Receive remedial training in an effort to upgrade his field training performance, prior to acceptance as a regular member of the Citizens Patrol.
• Be dropped as a candidate for regular membership in the Citizens Patrol.

If you are interested in joining our organization, please contact us at (305) 948-2955 or prevention@nmbpd.com.