Exeter PD Special Services

The Exeter Police Department Chaplaincy Program is designed to complement and support the law enforcement and community relations activities of the Police Department by providing counsel and support to law enforcement officers and their families, as well as to members of the general public, including but not limited to those who are victims of, or otherwise impacted by, accidents or criminal activity.

Our Chaplain Corps consist of volunteers who are ordained, or otherwise approved, as members of a recognized religious clergy and who exhibit strong moral and religious convictions, and who genuinely care about people and their needs.

Each day law enforcement officers may be faced with potentially dangerous situations. Many times, they need to express their frustrations and concerns to someone who has the training, experience and sensitivity to understand their circumstances, yet remain detached enough to provide effective advice and counsel. The families of law enforcement offices may also experience such a need, as may those who are otherwise affected by law enforcement.

Our Chaplains are in a unique position to provide a valuable service to the Police Department, to the families of law enforcement officers and to the community. For example, the Police Chaplains can be peacemakers in certain volatile situations; they can be effective links in the “communication gap” between law enforcement officers and the community; they are equipped to relate sad news with empathy, dignity and sympathy; they often develop natural rapport with youth; and they can sometimes intercede between citizens and the Department.

There are many ways in which the Chaplain can assist officers in their duties. They include but are not limited to:

The Exeter Police Department Chaplains also provide valuable services to the general public and community at large. In addition to providing a comforting presence, Chaplains may also help victims deal with stressful situations; provide information and resources; arrange for emergency food, clothing, transportation, shelter; or other services, and refer victims to a broad network of public and private agencies.

Our Chaplains also serve as first responders and provide immediate on-scene support to citizens who have been traumatized by a homicide, suicide, traffic collision, child death, or other tragedy.

The services of Exeter Police Department Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the basis of need and desire. Exeter Police Chaplains are not intended, nor do they wish to replace an individual's clergyman. They supplement services of the individual's clergyman and are available to provide services when the individual's clergyman may not be available. Also, a Chaplain can be especially helpful when there is a person in need in the community who does not have a local Pastor and Church affiliation.

RESERVE POLICE OFFICER

You may see them driving police cars, walking a beat or riding on bicycle patrol. They are dressed in a full police uniform, equipped with all the usual safety equipment. At first glance you may think it's just a regular police officer working his regular shift. But, looks can be deceiving. It may be an Exeter Police Department Reserve Police Officer, and there is nothing regular about that.

Reserve Police Officers are a unique breed of people. They generally are not content to play a passive role in life. They are civic minded and service oriented people who "get involved" to better their community. They are dedicated and motivated individuals who give of their time and energy to help make the City of Exeter a better place to live.

EXETER POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE UNIT

The Reserve Police Officer position is an unrepresented volunteer classification. Reserve Police Officers receive specialized law enforcement training mandated by the State of California. They serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police and have full peace officer powers while on duty. Currently the Exeter Police Department has 10 Reserve Police Officers.

The function of the Reserve Unit has always been to support and augment the Department in providing basic police services to the community. Historically, this has been accomplished by the Reserve Police Officer working patrol, riding as a second person in a two-officer police car. However, new trends in Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving have resulted in Reserve Officers working a wide variety of special assignments in addition to their patrol duties.

Today it is not uncommon to find Reserve Police Officers riding police bicycles or working a walking patrol at any number of police operations and community events. You can find them assigned to details such as DUI check points, patrolling city parks, providing a police presence at various community outreach programs and non-profit events, working special gang or graffiti enforcement.

The Exeter Police Department is fortunate to have a Reserve Unit staffed by highly committed and dedicated individuals who take great pride in their work. All told in 2003, Reserve Police Officers donated more than 40, 000 hours of volunteer service which saves the City of Exeter an estimated $600,000.

WHY BECOME A RESERVE POLICE OFFICER

Becoming a Reserve Police Officer is a challenging and rewarding way of servicing your community while becoming a part of the exciting world of law enforcement.

Many of our Reserve Police Officers enter the program with an interest in a career in law enforcement. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual to gain first hand knowledge and experience in this field before deciding to dedicate themselves to the profession. Our Reserve Police Officers have taken full advantage of this career development opportunity, as a large majority of our Reserve Police Officers become promoted to full-time Police Officers.

The City of Exeter is looking for individuals who have a desire to provide valuable assistance to the Exeter Police Department and community through service as a Reserve Police Officer. Explore this exciting opportunity to see what a law enforcement career is really like Feel the pride and satisfaction generated by being part of a team of volunteers who take an active role in establishing the City of Exeter as a safe and productive community where their families and loved ones can grow and prosper.

Whether you are seeking a career in law enforcement, or simply want to take your interest in your community to the next level, do something positive for yourself and your community...

BECOME AN EXETER RESERVE POLICE OFFICER REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION PROCESS

In order to assist you in determining your suitability for this position, the following information regarding requirements of membership and examination process is being provided.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Be a citizen of the United States or have applied for citizenship prior to application

Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate. Possess a valid drivers license

Possess a certificate of completion of courses required under California Penal Code Section 832. The minimum training requirements are Reserve Academy Level III and Level II.

Be of good moral character as determined by a criminal record check and background investigation.

Have no felony convictions. Felony arrest(s) with no conviction(s) may be cause for rejection.

Have no recent or extensive misdemeanor record, including traffic citations. A misdemeanor record of assaultive behavior, regardless of the time of occurrence, may be cause for rejection.

Take a psychological examination and be found suitable for police work. Be in good physical condition as certified by a medical examination.

You may come in and get an application at the Exeter Police Department. If you have further questions, feel free to contact the Reserve Unit Coordinator at (559) 592-3103.

The Exeter Police Department began its Police Citizen Volunteer Program in May of 2006. It started with 20 candidates attending the first Citizen’s Academy. The training academy took place over nine weeks and included many aspects of police activities to include patrol procedure, policy and procedures, communications, traffic control, driving techniques, first aid, and crowd control. Additional training continued throughout the year and in September the group became the only Certified Community Emergency Response Team in Tulare-Kings County . As part of CERT they received additional training in Urban Search and Rescue with emphasis on lost children and Alzheimer patients. The group has performed many services to the community and the police department. They have assisted in traffic control at parades, Fourth of July activities, assisted in DUI checkpoints and developed a very effective Code Enforcement Program.

They were instrumental in a successful conclusion to an emergency situation during the summer heat wave. They went door-to-door to check on the welfare of a large senior complex during a power failure. To date there are 15 volunteers who are active. They have volunteered 1,514 hours to the city and police department. This represents $27,257.40 to the city for services provided to the community. The volunteers have performed other duties including delivering paperwork to the District Attorney and courts and delivering evidence to the lab for analysis. This has eliminated the need to take a sworn officer out of the city to conduct these duties. They have assisted in DUI checkpoints, vacation home checks and patrolling the city as additional eyes and ears.

Homebound: The Homebound Program was implemented in September of 2006 in an effort to assist the elderly citizens of Exeter . There is a population of citizens, mostly elderly, who are confined to their homes and have no one to assist them in their daily tasks. Through a number of sources, the volunteers have identified 25 citizens who have special needs and live alone. The volunteers call on them either in person or by telephone to check on their welfare and assist, if necessary. They have helped with paperwork, transportation, home repairs and shopping. But, most importantly, they are someone they can talk to and rely on in time of need.

Code Enforcement: The Volunteers have implemented a very aggressive Code Enforcement Program with emphasis on “Abandoned Vehicles”. To date they have successfully removed 172 vehicles from the streets of Exeter . Most have been removed through voluntary compliance of the citizens, but several have been towed and stored. Three have been voluntarily donated to the Exeter Boys and Girls Club.

C.E.R.T. Program: The Volunteers participated in Community Emergency Response Team training. This is a joint effort of FEMA and American Red Cross. Its concept is to train citizens to respond to civil disasters that affect their community. At the conclusion of training they were sworn in as FEMA representatives. To date they are the only CERT team in Tulare-Kings counties. They have received additional training in Urban Search & Rescue since graduation. Emphasis has been placed on lost children and Alzheimer patients.

Merchant Patrol: The Volunteers perform foot patrol of the downtown merchants. They stop in and talk to the merchants about areas of concern. They act as liaison between the merchants and the police department. Volunteers have been a valuable asset in establishing the Merchant Watch Program.

Neighborhood Watch: The Volunteers have partnered with police officers to assist in developing a neighborhood watch program in Exeter . They have distributed flyers door to door, attended meetings, and assisted in training. .

The Elementary School Safety Program (ESSP) was begun in April of 2006. It differed from the D.A.R.E. Program previously taught in that it targeted 3rd graders instead of 7th graders.

A curriculum was developed which encompassed many aspects of safety in addition to life skills. It was hoped that by starting at an earlier age, students would be more accepting of the information that would be delivered. In addition to drug information, the students were taught about stranger danger, medication safety, internet safety, peer pressure, self-esteem, firearm safety, wheel safety and bullying.

The students participated in a bicycle rodeo and essay contests. Awards of bicycles and bicycle helmets were given to the winners of the rodeo and essay contest. Tulare Wal-Mart donated the bicycles and helmets.

The program was presented weekly for ten weeks to 242 Rocky Hill students. The program was well received by students, faculty and administrators alike.

In 2007 the program will be presented to 3rd and 5th graders. Additionally, several assembly programs will be presented to Lincoln School.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE>

Send mail to rsmith@exeterpd.com with questions or comments about this web site.Last modified: August 10, 2009

Send mail to rsmith@exeterpd.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: August 10, 2009