Chapter 2.85
CITIZENS PATROL
Sections:
2.85.010 Citizens patrol created – Purpose.
2.85.020 Qualifications – Swearing in – Registration as a disaster service worker.
2.85.030 Powers and duties – Rules and regulations.
2.85.050 Workers’ compensation insurance.
2.85.060 Identification badge.
2.85.010 Citizens patrol created – Purpose.
A. There is hereby created and established a volunteer security patrol within the city of Calimesa which shall henceforth be known as the citizens patrol.
B. The purpose of the citizens patrol shall be to form and operate a community security patrol for the safety of residents and property within the city of Calimesa and to otherwise enhance public safety and security whenever possible.
C. Subject to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the state, regional and local disaster councils, the city council shall have complete authority and control over the members of the citizens patrol. The city council may appoint as members of the citizens patrol any persons it deems qualified, and may reject any application for membership. The city council may, through its designated representative, provide for the training of candidates for membership, and for the further training of members.
D. The city council may request the public safety commission to recommend policies and procedures for all matters pertaining to the citizens patrol, including, but not limited to, application for and admission to membership, administration, operation, development, improvement and maintenance of the citizens patrol. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.01.]
2.85.020 Qualifications – Swearing in – Registration as a disaster service worker.
No person shall become a member of the citizens patrol until he or she has met all the requirements prescribed by the city council. When so qualified and selected, he or she shall be sworn in by the mayor as a member of the citizens patrol, be registered as a disaster service worker and shall take the oath prescribed in California Government Code Section 3102. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.02.]
2.85.030 Powers and duties – Rules and regulations.
A. The citizens patrol, subject at all times to the direction, supervision and control of the city council, or its designated representative, shall perform only such public services as may be specifically ordered by the city council, or its designated representative, or requested by a regular peace officer and shall perform all duties assigned to it in the event of war, riot, insurrection or any other general common peril or disaster.
B. The city council shall establish rules and regulations to govern the citizens patrol, including the fixing of specific duties of its members and providing for the maintenance of discipline, and may change such rules and regulations from time to time as it may deem necessary.
C. The members of the citizens patrol shall not be deputized, appointed or exercise the prerogatives of peace officers and at no time shall carry or use any deadly weapon in the performance of his or her duties. For the purpose of this section, “deadly weapon” is defined to include any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slingshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, any dirk, dagger, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, any knife having a blade longer than five inches, any razor with an unguarded blade and any metal pipe or bar intended to be used as a club. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.03.]
2.85.040 Compensation.
A. Members of the citizens patrol shall not be compensated for their services; provided, however, any member may be reimbursed for actual and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of duties authorized by this chapter and approved by the city manager.
B. Funding for the citizens patrol shall be provided by the members thereof operating as a nonprofit organization. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.04.]
2.85.050 Workers’ compensation insurance.
A. Pursuant to Section 3363.5 of the California Labor Code and notwithstanding Section 3352(i), any member of the citizens patrol shall be deemed an employee of the city of Calimesa, but only for the purpose of workers’ compensation insurance benefits for any injury sustained by him or her while acting in the course and scope of the designated and authorized services pursuant to this chapter.
B. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3369, the inclusion of any person or persons within the coverage provided by this chapter shall not cause any such person or persons to be considered employees, agents or servants of the city for any other purpose or to be within the coverage of any other ordinance or resolution of the city of Calimesa, nor any other statute of the state of California unless such ordinance, resolution or statute expressly so provides.
C. Except as specifically provided in Section 3601 of the California Labor Code, the right to recover compensation as provided for in this chapter, for injuries or death sustained while acting in the course and scope of services authorized and designated pursuant to this chapter, is the exclusive remedy against the city, its agents, servants and employees. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.05.]
2.85.060 Identification badge.
An identification badge bearing the city seal and identifying the bearer by name as a member of the citizens patrol shall be issued to each member and shall be worn so as to be conspicuously displayed while performing the duties authorized by this chapter. The badge shall not be worn on any other occasion and shall be surrendered to the city upon termination or resignation from membership. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.06.]
2.85.070 Termination.
A. The city council may without cause and without hearing dismiss a member from the citizens patrol.
B. Any member may resign from the citizens patrol by notifying the city council in writing not less than two weeks prior to the effective date of such resignation.
C. Each member shall surrender to the city manager, or his designated representative, all city property issued to him as a member of the citizens patrol upon termination or resignation from membership. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.07.]
2.85.080 Prohibited acts.
A. It is unlawful for any person to wilfully resist, delay or obstruct any member of the citizens patrol in the discharge or attempt to discharge any duty authorized by this chapter.
B. It is unlawful for any person to falsely impersonate or represent himself or herself to be a member of the citizens patrol.
C. It is unlawful for any person to wear, carry, display, use or possess, without authority, a badge, other insignia or uniform of the citizens patrol. [Ord. 93-9 § 1; Code 1990 § 3.7.08.]