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The Odessa, Texas, Citizens On Patrol program began
July 3, 1998. Participants were selected from the
Volunteers In Policing program which consisted of
graduates of the Odessa Police Department’s Citizens
Police Academy that began in 1991. The initial
objectives of the program were:
|
| 1. |
to
assist the Odessa Police Department through
observation |
| 2. |
to
help reduce crime in the neighborhoods by providing
highly visible patrols as
a deterrent to criminal activity |
| 3. |
to increase public presence in the neighborhoods |
| 4. |
to unite residents for a dedicated reason |
| 5. |
to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods |
| 6. |
to provide a safe, secure environment for all
neighborhood residents |
| 7. |
to
make a difference in the neighborhoods |
| 8. |
to observe and report suspicious, criminal, or
dangerous activity |
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We currently have nine Citizens on Patrol with two
marked Chevrolet Impalas. Our nine volunteers
average approximately one hundred nine (109) hours
per month. Our primary objective is assisting the
sworn officers of the Odessa Police Department in
their duties so that they may either remain in
service or return to service as quickly as
possible. This is accomplished in many ways
including those listed below:
|
| 1. |
conducting close patrols of neighborhoods and
businesses |
| 2. |
issuing disable parking violations |
| 3. |
standing by for wrecker service |
| 4. |
standbys for utility pole repair |
| 5. |
lending assistance on crime scenes |
| 6. |
assisting at motor vehicle accident scenes |
| 7. |
assisting disabled/stranded motorists |
| 8. |
delivering assorted items such as paperwork and drug
test kits to officers |
| 9. |
assisting Animal Control by removing deceased
animals from the roadway |
| 10. |
patrolling parking lots during major holidays |
| 11. |
assisting the officers as a helper, but most
importantly, as a friend |
| 12. |
public relations: promote the Odessa Police
Department to the general public |
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Additionally, we lend assistance in a non-patrol
capacity, as well. Most commonly, this entails
working many parades and special events that occur
each year, requiring police attention. Among these
are the National Night Out celebrations in which our
C.O.P. units go to different crime watch
neighborhoods for public relation appearances. We
also transport McGruff the Crime Dog to the
neighborhoods during National Night Out.
The Odessa Police Department provides our volunteers
with uniforms and all required equipment. The
uniforms include two white uniform shirts with the
Citizens on Patrol patch on each shoulder. A
Volunteer in Policing patch is worn over the left
chest area. The volunteers are also provided with a
black coat with the same patches on each shoulder.
C.O.P.’s must wear black pants, black socks, and
black shoes that are not provided by the police
department. We are issued a portable radio, a
flashlight, and one 35mm camera for each vehicle.
The cameras are used to obtain photographic evidence
of vehicles and license plates that are cited for
parking in disabled parking areas.
The C.O.P.’s utilize two Chevrolet Impalas which
are marked “Citizens on Patrol”. Each unit has a
built in console with in-car radios. They have
amber overhead visibars and are equipped with
takedown and alley lights, as well as a spotlight.
Other equipment includes a ticket book holder,
traffic wand, traffic vest, fire extinguisher,
raincoats, Aids bag, hazmat suits, and teddy bears
which are given to children in need of comfort in
certain situations. The units are also supplied
with drug test kits, traffic cones, and extra
paperwork and forms that the officers may need while
on patrol.
New C.O.P.’s must complete a three phase training
course before taking an oath. The phases consist of
the following:
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|
Phase
One: |
Two
8-10 hour patrols with an instructor
(ride and observe only) |
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Phase
Two: |
Two 8-10
hour patrols sharing half of the
responsibilities (driving, radio
traffic, and paperwork) |
|
Phase
Three: |
Two 8-10
hour patrols assuming all the
responsibilities required on a regular
patrol (driving, radio traffic,
paperwork) |
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While some cities of comparable size to Odessa have
a larger Citizens on Patrol program, the number of
volunteer hours and our statistics reflect that ours
is a group of very proud and dedicated individuals
who give unselfishly and without hesitation of their
time and themselves to make their community a safer
place to live and raise a family. We feel strongly
that we have made, and will continue to make a
difference. |
