Special Police Officers

Policy & Procedures                 No. 4.18
                                  Subject:
                  Special Police Officers & Permanent
                   Intermittent Officers
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                    09/13/2013  06/14/2023
                                                                         Review Date:

 Review
 Revision   11/08/2015
 Reissued   02/14/2017
 Dates:     11/10/2019
            11/20/2020

1.1.9  1.1.10 1.1.11 1.1.12 1.1.13 16.3.0 16.3.1 16.3.2 16.3.3 16.3.4 16.3.5 16.3.6 16.3.7
16.3.8 16.4.1 16.4.2 16.4.3 22.2.2 22.2.5 26.0.3 26.1.1 33.4.2 33.7.2 1.1.0

POST Standards: TRN-02

               GENERAL CONDITIONS AND GUIDELINES

It is the policy of the Canton Police Department, that in order to provide the
most effective and efficient police services possible, the Department will use
Special police officers and Permanent Intermittent officers on a limited basis to
supplement staffing needs in the patrol division. 16.3.1

I. Definitions

A Permanent Intermittent officer is considered a part-time officer hired by the
town to assist with staffing needs. These officers must attend and successfully
complete a Basic Reserve/Intermittent training course approved by the
Municipal Police Training Committee. These courses are entry-level training
programs that have the prescribed course of study that a reserve/intermittent
police officer must satisfactorily complete prior to exercising police powers in
Massachusetts. 16.3.2

A Special police officer is a part-time officer hired by the town to assist with
specific and specialized needs of the department. This will include, but not be
limited to performing police details. A Special police officer must have attended
and successfully completed either a full-time officers training academy or a
basic reserve/intermittent training course approved by the Municipal Police
Training Committee. 16.3.2

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 1

II. Selection

The selection process and criteria for Special police officers shall be limited to
the Head Animal Control Officer and in some cases, retired officers (Veteran
Offices). Special Officers will not be bound by Massachusetts Human
Resources Division eligibility requirements. 16.3.0; 16.3.1; 16.3.2;1.1.9;
1.1.10

   1. Special police officers will be selected in accordance with the Canton
      Police Department’s Selection Process Policy and Procedure and any
      other requirements deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police or
      appointing authority, after receiving authorization for appointment
     through the appointing authority. The department shall allow retired
       full-time Canton police officers to become special police officers, on a
      case-by-case basis, upon approval by the Chief of Police and Town
      Administrator, and they shall be appointed as such by the Appointing
      Authority. They will not be allowed to work in the capacity of a patrol
       officer and they will only work part-time.

   2. Special police officer candidates are required to satisfactorily pass all
      requirements set forth in the Selection Policy and Procedure and any
      other requirements deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police or
      appointing authority, and the cost of these items will be incurred by the
      candidate. 16.3.2

   3. Special police officer candidates that do not pass each phase of the
      selection process may be deemed ineligible for appointment and neither
      the Town of Canton, nor the Canton Police Department will reimburse
     any cost(s) already paid by the candidate.

   4. Except as herein otherwise provided, all Special police officers appointed
      to the department shall abide by all employment criteria set forth by the
     Massachusetts Human Resources Division for full-time police officers.
     16.3.1

   5. Candidates must meet all state educational requirements at the time of
     sworn appointment. 16.3.8

The selection process and criteria for Permanent Intermittent police officers will
be bound by Massachusetts Human Resources Division eligibility
requirements. 16.3.0; 16.3.1; 16.3.2; 1.1.9; 1.1.10

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 2

III. Training  16.4.2

Before being allowed to work as a police officer or to carry a new type of lethal
or less lethal weapon, all newly appointed Special or Permanent Intermittent
police officers must: 1.1.13;16.3.2

   1.    Attend and pass a Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC)
        approved Basic Reserve/Intermittent Training Academy. 16.3.3;
         33.4.2; 33.7.2

   2.   Be issued and receive training on the Canton Police Department’s
         applicable Policies and Procedures for carrying a new type of weapon.
        Documentation of such will be made with the officer’s signature on
         the Department’s Policy Receipt Form. 1.1.10; 1.1.11; 1.1.13

   3.    Attend an annual MPTC approved Reserve Officer In-Service training
        program, which will include recertification of CPR and First
        Responder Training and any additional training as may be required by
         the MPTC – See MPTC Bridge Academy Website for details MPTC Bridge
        Academy | Mass.gov .  * Note: this will be dependent upon recertification
         year for each officer and standards to be set by the MPTC. 16.3.3;
         16.3.5; 33.7.2; TRN-02

        Deadlines for training:
                    Last names ending in A – H due in June 2022
                    Last names ending in I – P due in June 2023
                    Last names ending in R – Z due in June 2024

   4.    Attend all department use of force training and firearms qualifications
         in the same manner as full-time police officers at their own expense.
         16.3.6; 1.1.10

   5.    Training requirements are subject to change without notice and all
         Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers, once notified of the
         change(s), shall comply.

   6.   Have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

IV. Uniforms and Equipment 16.4.3; 26.1.1

Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers shall wear the authorized
uniform as required; same uniform as full-time officers performing like
functions 16.3.4, and will be notified of the appropriate articles upon
appointment. These officers, not the department, shall incur the cost of all
uniforms. 22.2.5 A,B

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 3

Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers shall be authorized to carry
the same equipment as is issued to full-time officers, provided such officer is
appropriately trained in its use. The cost of these items shall be incurred by the
officer, not the department. 16.3.4; 22.2.5 A,B; 1.1.9

All Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers working a shift or a detail
will carry the authorized firearm of the Canton Police Department. No Special
police officer will be allowed to work on the street unless and until such
authorized firearm has been purchased and the officer is qualified in its use.
1.1.0; 16.3.0; 16.3.4; 1.1.9

V. Duties and Responsibilities 16.4.1

The primary duty of Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers is to
supplement the full-time force in the delivery of law enforcement services to the
community. 16.3.1

These officers shall not be assigned to regular shift assignments.

   1.   No Special or Permanent Intermittent police officer will be allowed to
        work in any regular patrol assignment without the prior approval of
         the Chief.

   2.    Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers will be allowed to
        work details.

   3.    Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers are subject to the
       same rules, regulations, policies, procedures, directives and orders as
          full-time officers. 1.1.0;16.3.0; 16.3.2

Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers have the same authority and
powers of arrest as full-time police officers, in direct accordance with
Massachusetts General Law, Ch. 41 § 98. 1.1.0;16.3.0; 16.3.1; 16.4.1; 33.4.2

   1. Law enforcement powers will only be used during specific tours of duty
      or when witnessing violent crimes.

Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers must honor court
notices/subpoenas resulting from their police duties, even if doing so requires
appearing in court during the course of their regular employment.

VI. Liability Protection

All Special and Permanent Intermittent police officers are provided with liability
protection equal to that provided for full-time police officers. 16.3.7; 22.2.2D

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 4

** Note: The town’s insurance carrier lists “Special and Permanent Intermittent
Police Officers” as “Part-Time Police Officers.”

VII. Animal Control Officer 16.3.0; 16.4.1; 16.3.4; 16.4.3

Special Officer
The department’s head animal control officer may be a Special Police Officer if
appointed through proper authority.  If such is the case, then the animal
control officer will be allowed to wear the police officer’s uniform and
prosecute criminal offenders. 1.1.0;16.3.0; 16.3.1; 16.3.3; 16.4.1; 26.1.1

Uniform for Special Officer – Head Animal Control Officer
The traditional issued uniform for the ACO that is a Special Police Officer is
khaki pants and a navy-blue polo shirt that is embroidered with a badge and
‘Canton Police Department’. With the Chief’s approval, and after successfully
being trained and qualified, the ACO is authorized to carry a department
issued firearm while on duty. 1.1.0;16.3.0; 1.1.9; 16.4.3; 22.2.5 A,B; 26.1.1

The position of general Animal Control Officer is a civilian (non-sworn) position.
                                                     16.4.1; 16.4.3

Animal Control Officers (those not appointed as a Special Police Officer) are not
sworn officers and have no police powers. In accordance with CALEA
standards only, they are defined as Auxiliary personnel. Canton Police
Department does not have a specific classification entitled ‘Auxiliary’. 16.4.1

This position is responsible for the provision of animal control services.
Responsibilities include enforcement of state and local laws and by-laws
regarding animal control; investigating complaints, assisting animal inspector
on animal bites, assisting humane and other agencies on cruelty to animals
and other violations; preparing reports and performing administrative duties;
performs related duties as required. 16.4.1 B

Related duties include:
    -  cares for animals kept at shelter; providing/obtaining medical care if
      required, screening each animal as to age, temperament, personality
     match between animal and prospective adoptee, and medical condition;
     making other arrangements as required. 16.4.1 B

    -  investigates complaints regarding animals, including vicious dogs,
      receives information from complainant; meets with owners of animals
     when possible; provides information regarding town by-laws and dog
      hearing procedures; prepares reports; and provides follow-up as needed.

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 5

-  Responds to calls regarding injured animals; transports animals to
      veterinarian, provides care as needed.

VIII. Animal Control Officer (civilian) Training: (CALEA = Auxiliary)16.4.2;
33.7.2

Animal Control Officers are to complete the Massachusetts Animal Fund
Animal Control Officer Core Competencies training course offered through the
Department of Agricultural Resources before performing their duties.

Animal Control Officers are responsible for maintaining their continuing
education credits by attending courses offered by the Animal Control Officers
Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM), the National Animal Care & Control
Association (NACA) or the New England Animal Control/Humane Academy
(NEACHA).

Animal Control Officers will receive training on the Canton Police Department’s
Policies and Procedures that are applicable to them, including Rules and
regulations. This will be done in the station’s training room as needed.
Documentation of such will be made with the employee’s signature on the
Department’s Policy Receipt Form. 1.1.10; 1.1.12

IX. ACO Uniform 22.2.5 A,B; 26.1.1

The traditional uniform (issued) for the ACO that is not a Special Police Officer
is a pair of khaki pants and a blue polo shirt. The only difference is the ACO’s
shirt is embroidered with the words, “Canton Animal Control.” An ACO that is
not a Special Police Officer is not authorized to carry a firearm. 16.4.1; 16.4.3

X. ACO Equipment 22.2.5 C

After the date of appointment and prior to working their first shift, all newly
appointed animal control officers will be supplied with the following:
-    2 complete uniforms (includes khaki pants and polo shirt)
-     Radio
-     Radio holder
-    2 radio batteries
-     Windbreaker
-     Raincoat

The ACO will carry a department issued radio at all times while on duty.  If the
ACO chooses to carry a flashlight, he/she will be responsible for that expense.
(See Provision of Clothing and Equipment Policy)

           Canton Police Department’s Special Police Officer Policy             Page 6