The Police Partner program is comprised of members of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) Alumni Association who participate in volunteer, community-service programs run by the Shaker Police Department. Participants may select from a variety of volunteer service programs assisting the police to better know the community, reduce crime, and provide assistance under police direction.

The Citizens Police Academy program, the educational and service activities of the CPA Alumni Association, and the formal programs of the Police Partners provide mutual understanding between the police and the community, reduce crime, and enhance the quality of life in Shaker.

Description

Police Partners assist in a variety of programs, each under the direction of a Police Department liaison.  Some programs require additional training and/or background checks. In 2006, Police Partners donated a total of 2,204.50 hours of community service.

Volunteer Programs

Citizens on Patrol  After receiving additional training and annual refresher courses, members may join the Citizens Patrol program. Volunteers patrol the City in an unmarked detective car, serve as additional eyes and ears, and report suspicious situations or cases needing police intervention.

Some arrests have resulted from the Citizens Patrol program; for DUI, disorderly conduct, drug possession, receiving stolen property, underage consumption of alcohol, and other offenses. In addition, patrollers have located impaired individuals, assisted with lost items, deployed additional manpower on Halloween, provided traffic assistance at community events, and served as visible deterrents to burglaries. The program also assists with SWAT and Crisis Intervention Team training exercises, supplying actors for realistic training scenarios. The Citizens on Patrol program is governed by Police Department General Order 1604 and is supervised by Commander Mike Schwarber and Interim Chief of Police D. Scott Lee.

Police Sub-station Staffing  A Police Sub-station has been created at the new Fire House on Chagrin. It will be staffed by Police Partners trained to answer questions and to summon aid in emergencies. The program is led by Interim Chief Lee.

Homeland Security Preparation  Two teams of Police Partners are available for activation in events involving Homeland Security mobilization or other unusual public safety events.  Team A is available for immediate call-out; Team B can be available within several hours.  Leaders are Interim Chief Scott Lee, Commander Mike Schwarber, Captain Steve Hammett, and SWAT Commander, Lt. Jim Mariano.

Clerical Assistance  Volunteers are trained to assist the Records Bureau with data entry and other clerical assistance. Additional background checking is required. Liaison is Captain Steve Hammett.

Children’s Safety  Volunteers assist with Safety Town, Stranger Danger, Latch Key Kids.  This program is under the supervision of Community Life Director Pam Quinn.

Range Maintenance  Under the direction of the Departmental Armorer, Lieutenant John Danko, volunteers maintain the functionality of the Police Department shooting range, ensuring that electric and mechanical devices operate properly.

Shotgun Cleaning  Lt. John Danko also oversees volunteers providing routine cleaning of departmental shotguns.

Bike Patrol  This is a new program putting additional patrollers on the street on bikes. Liaison is Commander Mike Schwarber.

Volunteers help with traffic at the City's Fourth of July Observance: Standing (left to right) Kraig Tayer, Patti Taylor, Carolyn Giaimo, Edna Hayes, Tim Lanese/Kneeling (left to right) Kenneth Tyler, Michael Cox, Frank Holowach, Jim Norris