Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce

CITY OF WINKLER
C.O.P.P. CITIZEN ON PATROL PROGRAM

Information and Requirements

1. C.O.P.P. is strictly a volunteer organization (no dues or fees excepted) and no salaries paid.
2. All persons wanting to be a member must fill out an application form.
3. Any persons 18 years of age or older may apply to be a member.
4. C.O.P.P. works in co-operation with the Winkler Police Service.
5. Members should try to keep their names and other members’ names from the public eye and try to remain with reasonable anonymity.
6. Members do not carry any form of weapon in their vehicle and should always go on patrol with a partner, NEVER ALONE,
7. Members are “eyes” and “ears” only for the Winkler Police Service and should not place themselves in a dangerous position by handling a situation by themselves.
8. Any situation indicating a need for attention by the Winkler Police Service should be reported promptly and handled by the Winkler Police Service.
9. The Executive Committee’s duties are to administer the program and work
   together with the members to help keep the C.O.P.P. organized.
10. The Crime Prevention Coordinator will act as a liaison between the C.O.P.P. and the Winkler Police Service.
11. Members should keep sight of and be supportive of the original intent of the program.
12. Amount of involvement and time spent in or with the program shall be left up to the individual member. However, if no time is provided within a 3-month period, your membership standing will be reviewed by the Executive.
13. Approval or rejection of the C.O.P.P. application and the criteria or method of arriving at a decision will not be questioned or objected by the member.

General Rules

Keep Rules for your Personal Info

1. There must be no consumption of alcoholic beverages during and at least 6
   hours before the shift.
2. Everyone will be expected to obey the rules of the road while on patrol.
3. Everyone is to wear their identification card while on patrol.
4. DO NOT become physically involved in a situation which you deem reportable. You are not a “police officer” and are merely observing and recording information to assist the police.
5. If you see a violation, “immediately” record all particulars including: DATE, TIME, EXACT LOCATION, LICENSE NUMBER, and/or description of the vehicle and the driver with name if possible.
6. Write down a statement describing the violation as soon as you can. This statement giving full particulars of the incident would be very important in court if the person charged entered a plea of not guilty. In this case, you maybe required to be a witness in court.
7. If a violation is an isolated incident, i.e. vehicle squeals tires once and goes home, it will do little good to phone the police at that time; rather record the information on your patrol report and hand it in to your supervisor, as these people can be charged up to six months later. If a violation is of a continuous or serious matter, report it immediately by contacting the local police, i.e. person driving recklessly, drunk driver, break and enter, assault, etc. Immediate contact with the police could stop the violation and prevent further damage.
8. Do not patrol with an unauthorized person (i.e. non C.O.P.P. member).