Nashua Police Department Explorer Post 911
Rules and Regulations Manual
Table of Contents
Chapter 1.00.00 Introduction to the Manual
Chapter 2.00.00 Purpose and Mission for Exploring
Chapter 3.00.00 Goals, Objectives and Special Policies
Chapter 4.00.00 Post Organization and Command Structure
Chapter 5.00.00 Personnel
Chapter 6.00.00 Uniforms and Equipment
Chapter 7.00.00 Rules of Conduct
Chapter 8.00.00 Discipline
Chapter 9.00.00 On View Situations
Chapter 10.00.00 Meetings and Training
Chapter 11.00.00 Communications
Chapter 12.00.00 Media Relations
Revised December 2015
*ALL CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS EDITION ARE HIGHLIGHTED*
Chapter 1.00.00
Introduction to the Rules and Regulations Manual
1.00.0 THE RULES AND REGULATIONS MANUAL
These Rules and Regulations are an official publication of the Nashua Police Department. It is issued with the authority of the Post Advisor(s) and contains the policies, procedures, and regulations related to law enforcement Exploring Post #911 of this department. These policies, procedures, and Regulations are established to direct all Explorers in carrying out their duties and responsibilities.
1.01.00 KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
It will be the responsibility of every Explorer to have knowledge of all policies, procedures, and regulations contained in this manual.
1.02.00 ISSUING THE MANUAL
Every Explorer, upon being issued a manual, will sign a dated form indicating
that he/she has received a manual. The Explorer is then required to read the manual prior to the next scheduled meeting.
1.03.00 SECURITY OF THE MANUAL
Explorers will keep their manuals secure. Any information, which could hamper the Department’s operation, will be kept strictly confidential. Strict confidentiality is especially important with regard to information on emergency response to criminal activity. Loss of a manual or any of its parts will immediately be reported to your Advisor.
1.04.00 MAINTENANCE OF THE MANUAL
Explorers will keep their manual in good condition and repair. Broken covers or
torn pages will be repaired. The binder shall include notepaper and a calendar that shall be brought to each regularly scheduled meeting.
1.05.00 UPDATING THE MANUAL
Explorers will be responsible for maintaining their manual in an up-to-date manner by making changes or additions as directed.
1.06.00 USE OF THE MANUAL
Explorers will consult this manual if they have any questions as to their responsibilities or as to proper procedures. If, upon consulting the manual, the Explorer’s question is still not resolved a Post Officer should be consulted.
1.07.00 MECHANICS OF THE MANUAL
This manual has been organized to assist Explorers in consulting its material easily and quickly. To find a general subject area, consult the table of contents at the front of the manual for the correct chapter and section
1.08.00 OTHER OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
Besides this manual, Explorers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with other Official Publications. These may include the Department’s regular Policies, Procedures, and Regulations, Law Enforcement Training Aids, Boy Scouts of America and Learning for Life resource materials and other publications. Explorers are expected to develop the same familiarity with these publications as with this manual. They will also be expected to keep them secure and to treat them as confidential when advised that the material is sensitive in nature.
Explorer should be aware that many of these materials are available via the following web sites: gonashua.com, Learning-for-Life.org, nhpolice.com, natioanalpal.org.
Chapter 2.00.00
Purpose and Mission for Exploring
2.00.00 DEPARTMENT PURPOSE AND MISSION FOR EXPLORING
The intent of Law Enforcement Exploring is to educate and involve youth in police operations, to interest them in possible law enforcement careers and to build mutual understanding. The education aspect provides knowledge of the law enforcement function in one’s community whether one enters the field of law enforcement as a career or not. Through involvement, the Explorer program establishes an awareness of the complexities of police service.
2.01.0 KEY ELEMENTS OF EXPLORING
· Career Opportunities: Developing potential contacts that may broaden employment options. Boosting self-confidence and experiencing success at school and work. Learning about Law Enforcement.
· Life Skills: Developing physical and mental fitness. Experiencing positive social interaction. Expanding your horizons.
· Service Learning: Encourage the skill and desire to help others. Gaining a keen respect for the basic rights of others. Participation in Community Activities.
· Character Education: Helping make ethical choices. Fulfilling one’s responsibility to society as a whole. Health, Wellness and Esteem.
· Leadership Experience: Developing leadership skills to fulfill our responsibility in society. Providing exposure to different leadership traits.
2.02.00 EXPLORERS CODE
As an Explorer…
I believe that America’s strength lies in her trust in God and in the courage and strength of her people.
I will therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my life.
I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it.
I will recognize the dignity and worth of my fellow men and will use fair play and good will dealing with them.
I will acquire the Exploring attitude that seeks the trust in all things on the frontiers of our changing world.
2.03.00 POST MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Membership in a Law Enforcement Explorer Post is open to young adults
male or female, age 14 and having completed the eight grade, through age 20.
Additional Requirements:
a. Nashua area resident, attendant of Nashua School, or resident of a surrounding community in which there is no Explorer Post.
b. Be of good moral habits with no arrest or conviction record for Felony or Misdemeanor offenses including motor vehicle related offenses.
c. Consent to a background check.
d. Maintain no less than a “C” average in schoolwork.
e. Possess an acceptable attendance record in school.
f. Have an initial interest in Law Enforcement.
g. Complete a Membership Application with Waiver of Liability and Parental Permission if under 18yrs old.
2.04.00 SELECTION PROCESS
Each new Explorer will have to pass a selection process that screens the above criteria. This will include an interview and a background investigation/record check.
The sole discretion is upon the Explorer Post Advisor for acceptance into the program.
The Nashua Police Explorer Post does not discriminate and holds no preference
toward gender and/or origins of race, religion and ethnicity.
2.05.00 ELIGIBILITY and PROBATION PERIOD
Each new Explorer will be expected to successfully complete a 6-month
probationary period. During this time your advisors and your peer leaders will evaluate you.
Explorer candidates must attend three consecutive meetings before obtaining
a uniform.
Official Membership is complete upon being added to Charter with
Daniel Webster Council, the New Hampshire Exploring Branch of
Learning for Life.
Chapter 3.00.00
Goals, Objectives, and Special Policies
3.00.00 PURPOSE OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Law Enforcement Exploring program has five areas of emphasis that any Goals and Objectives must provide for.
3.01.00 TO SERVE AS A POTENTIAL RECRUITMENT TOOL FOR FUTURE MEN
AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Law Enforcement Explorer program will further the Explorer’s education by providing the members with a basic knowledge of the field of law enforcement. Members will receive instruction in all phases of law enforcement including criminal law, traffic law, arrest and processing of prisoners, officer safety, tactics, criminal investigation, crime prevention, community relations, traffic control and direction, accident investigation, juvenile delinquency and other related fields which are an integral part of law enforcement.
3.02.00 TO SERVE AS A COMMUNITY RELATIONS EFFORT BETWEEN POLICE
AND YOUTH, AND BETWEEN YOUTH AND THE COMMUNITY
The law Enforcement Explorer program brings the Explorer into direct contact with the “Police Officer” on a one-to-one basis through its meetings, details and social functions. Explorers are given the responsibility and respect they demand. In turn they can make their public service felt among members of the community, especially members in their age bracket.
3.03.00 POTENTIAL USE AS SUPPLEMENTAL MANPOWER
Although Explorers are not used in place of law enforcement personnel, they can supplement them by assisting in directing traffic, crowd control and other assigned duties. Explorers will not be used in lieu of Police Officers for any event that would require a Police Detail or the basic need for a Police Officer to be present. Law Enforcement Explorer assistant shall be limited to duties that would not have the substantial risk to place, or cause them to be in, a situation that may require Police enforcement or interdiction.
Emergency situations should be handled accordingly and Explorers shall not go beyond their own personal expectations, based upon what training they may have received, certifications they may hold or experiences they may have had in rendering assistance or handling a situation.
Explorers shall be considered to have the same rights and duties as citizens when faced with extraordinary circumstances that may arise.
3.04.00 TO BE UTILIZED AS A SERVICE GROUP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Community organizations may call upon the Explorers to assist with special events for traffic directions (limited to areas that are not regulated by approved traffic control devices, i.e. stop signs, traffic lights), education and mentoring, youth activities, registrations, guest relations etc. Explorers are not to be used in situations requiring police authority, but are used to assist the community under the direction and supervision of a Police Officer. Some events will not require the presence of a Police Officer and in such circumstances the Explorers may be assigned to a liaison that is approved by the Explore Post Advisor.
3.05.00 TO DEVELOP AND UPHOLD THE BASIC OBJECTIVES OF THE
EXPLORING DIVISION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA THROUGH
THE CONTRIBUTION OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO
EXPLORERS IN THREE AREAS:
3.05.01 CHARACTER BUILDING
Although character development is a primary responsibility of parents, it is also contributed to through law enforcement. The Explorer who wears the uniform or insignia, which identifies him/her as being associated with the Nashua Police Department is subject to a far more rigid standard of conduct than his/her peers. Explorers are judged by the Police and learn quickly that only the highest standard of conduct is acceptable.
3.05.02 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Through their experience, Explorers learn and practice leadership skills similar to police personnel. Additionally, the Explorer Leaders will learn the fundamentals of organization and responsibility. Those Explorers in leadership positions within the Explorer Post learn the realities of being responsible for all of their subordinates’ achievements and short falls. Explorer Leaders are depended upon by the Explorer Advisor to see that tasks are completed and events are successful.
3.05.03 AN APPRECIATION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND GOOD
CITIZENSHIP
Explorers contribute many hours of their personal lives to the service of others during their participation in the Explorer program. When they leave, they can reflect and take pride in the fact that they have made a significant contribution to the welfare of their community.
3.06.00 USE OF EXPLORERS IN COVERT ACTIVITIES
The National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee had established a policy that prohibits Explorers from performing Covert Acts or Acts which might undermine the role of Law Enforcement Exploring in the community.
Members of the Explorer Post may be considered for use in sting operations (such as liquor/cigarette buys) only in circumstances in which they have been selected on the merits of their own persons. They will not participate in these operations as a function of the Police Explorer Post or as an Explorer. This enables the Explorer, as a qualified individual, to be given the same opportunity as another non-explorer that may be chosen.
3.07.00 FRATERNIZATION
This Department and the Boy Scouts of America do not condone and will not permit fraternization between explorers and their adult leaders or other affiliated adults. This applies to all youth members’ regardless of local or state law related to age of consent. Fraternization is not morally appropriate, nor is it in keeping with the relationship between youth members, and adult leaders prescribed in the program of this Department and those of the Boy Scouts of America.
3.08.00 ADULT LEADERSHIP/TRIPS AND OUTINGS
A minimum of two adult leaders are required for all trips and outings. At least one adult leader will be of each gender when trips or events are co-ed. This policy does not apply to routine details or assignments and shall not apply to general transportation to and from activities.
3.08.01 TRANSPORTATION
When planning trips and outings every effort will be made for Explorer Advisors and/or Adult Chaperons to provide transportation.
It shall be the Explorer Advisors sole discretion in determining if a vehicle driven by a peer Explorer for related events should transport another Explorer.
Advisors will make an effort to inform parents of any transportation arrangements.
It is not the responsibility of the Advisor to oversee the routine carpooling or ride sharing to and from regularly scheduled meetings.
Chapter 4.00.00
Post Organization and Command Structure
4.00.00 COMMAND STRUCTURE
The Chief of Police is designated as the head of the Organization.
The Explorer Post requires the endorsement of the agency head.
An Advisory Committee who may make special decisions about the organization oversees the Explorer Post. The Chairman of said Committee and has the discretion to make sole decisions. However, the Explorer Post Advisor typically handles most day-to-day operations without input or decision-making by the Advisory Committee.
The Post Explorer Advisor has a minimum of two Assistant Advisors.
Post Explorer Leadership is organized under the Post Explorer Advisor.
The Posts Explorer Leadership positions are either elected or rank awarded.
Below are some general guidelines and job descriptions
4.01.00 CHAIN OF COMMAND
The Chain of Command is established for the efficient operation of the Post. It is similar to the structure of the department. The Chain flows from the lowest rank/position upwards to the top rank or position. The Post Advisor should be an officer appointed by the Department Executive and will be at the top of the Post’s Chain of Command.
4.01.01 LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
4.01.02 CAPTAIN
The Explorer Post Captain is responsible for:
- Public and interdepartmental relations.
- Handling recruiting for the post.
- Welcoming all new members to meetings