Special Conservators of the Peace (SCOP) Program Virginia Crime - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Special Conservators of the Peace (SCOP) Program Virginia Crime Commission October 21, 2014 C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 1

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY SCOP Task Force • Background • SB 495 • Four sessions • Focused on four program areas C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 2

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY SCOP Task Force Members Secretary Brian Moran, Chair • Victoria Cochran • Chief Meyers • Tonya Vincent • Dana Schrad • Del. Lingamfelter • Chief Tarasovic • Senator Lucas • Sheriff Hines • Senator Norment • John Jones • Delegate Surovell • Colonel Flaherty • Fran Ecker • Judge McGinty • Richard Conway, ACA • Judge Snukals C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 3

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY SCOP Task Force Members • John Hall • Edward Jewett, Clerk • Edward Macon, Esq. • Clair Cardwell, Esq. • Kevin Carroll • Jane Chambers, Esq. • Chief Olah • Rick Pleasants • Chief Hinkley • Chief Harmon C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 4

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Virginia Code § 19.2-13 • Statutory program for citizens to obtain law enforcement arrest authority through circuit courts. C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 5

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Number of Active SCOPs by Calendar Year 2005 - 2014 900 Total number of SCOPs doubled from 2005 to 2013 Number of armed SCOPs increased by 121% 800 Number of unarmed SCOPs increased by 76% Total SCOPs 700 Number of Active SCOPs 600 500 Armed 400 Unarmed 300 200 100 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Calendar Year C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 6

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Overview Four Key Program Areas • Training • Jurisdiction and Appearance • Registration • Appointment Process and Court Orders C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 7

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Training What training is necessary to protect SCOPs from harm and to adequately protect the public? Should training depend on SCOP duties? C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 8

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Training Requirement Comparisons • 24 hours = Unarmed SCOP • 40 hours = Armed SCOP • 50-53 hours = Armed Security Guard • 580-1,200 hours = Law Enforcement • 80 hours = Auctioneer • 150 hours = Nail Technician C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 9

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Training Requirements – SCOP (24 hours) 8 hours - legal procedures, civil law, criminal and constitutional law; 4 hours - basic and juvenile law; 4 hours - obtaining an arrest warrant and issuing a Uniform Summons; 4 hours - Use of Force and Liability issues; 1 hour - rules of evidence; 1 hour - court room testimony; 2 hours - orientation C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 10

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Training Requirements – Armed SCOP (+ 16 hours) Armed SCOPs must take: • introduction to handguns, • care of handguns, • range safety, • principles of marksmanship, • use of deadly force, and • justifiable deadly force C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 11

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Jurisdiction C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 12

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Jurisdiction SCOP "X" Jurisdiction Initial Loudoun Additional Fauquier Rappahannock Stafford King George Fredericksburg Spotsylvania Westmoreland Caroline Essex Richmond Northumberland Hanover Lancaster Loudoun County Sheriffs' Jurisdiction Richmond City PD's Jurisdiction Loudoun Richmond City C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 13

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Jurisdiction Should SCOPs working for private corporations be limited to enforcing laws on the corporation’s real property? Should courts in one jurisdiction be authorized to appoint SCOPS in another jurisdiction? C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 14

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Appearance What insignias/badges should be displayed on SCOP uniforms and vehicles? Should an SCOP wear the Seal of the Commonwealth if they work for a private employer? C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 15

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Appearance C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 16

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 17

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Appearance C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 18

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Appearance + Training 24/40 hours 580-1,200 hours SCOP Law Enforcement C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 19

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Registration Should anyone be exempt from registration? Should companies employing SCOPS be registered? Should companies that provide contract SCOP services be regulated? C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 20

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Appointment Process and Court Orders Who should be involved in the appointment process? What information is helpful to determine the necessity of peace and security? How long should courts retain jurisdiction over appointment orders? (21 day rule) C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 21

O FFICE OF THE S ECRETARY OF P UBLIC S AFETY AND H OMELAND S ECURITY Future Concerns Liability for SCOPS, employers, and Commonwealth Government responsibility – state actors? Who is responsible for them? Constitutional questions Policy – do we want private police officers? Potential for Abuse (ex: Sovereign Citizens) C OMMONWEALTH OF V IRGINIA 22