Surrey Crime Prevention Society

Enhancing Community Safety Together

Community Safety
Volunteer Training
Manual

#15 – 12484 82nd Ave P 604.502.8555

Surrey, BC www.preventcrime.ca
F 604.502.8511
V3W 3E9 @surreycrimeprevention
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Page Module
2 Module 1: Administration
Who we are, what we do, membership, volunteer status, probationary period, program
security and confidentiality, Better Impact and volunteer limitations.

6 Module 2: Program Policies, procedures & Volunteer Safety

Social media, cell phone use, photo release, professionalism, bullying, harassment, dress
code, safety and team lead.

9 Module 3: Program Information

Core programs, program breakdown, requirements, SARS, Speed Watch App, and
partners.

16 Module 4: How to be Effective in the Field

Observation guidelines, counter observations, obligations, restrictions, symptoms of drug
users, what to look for, tips, and LOAC.

21 Module 5: Ten Code & Phonetic Alphabet

Breakdown of ten code and phonetic alphabet

22 Module 6: Communication & Radio Use

The five W’s, emergency vs. non-emergency, important numbers, radios, and base
operator.

25 Module 7: Documentation & Notebooks

Notebook policies and procedures and suspect description.

27 Module 8: Incident Reports

Report breakdown

30 Module 9: The Value in Volunteering with Us

Benefits, training opportunities and support.

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Governance
As a not-for-profit we are governed by a board of directors. The board of directors' key purpose is to
ensure the organization's prosperity by providing our team with guidance and opening us up to new
resources.

Mission & Vision

Surrey Crime Prevention Society takes a 360° holistic approach to community safety through programs
delivered by our trained and dedicated volunteers. Surrey Crime Prevention is committed to supporting
community safety and public awareness while aligning with the goals of our community partners.

Surrey Crime Prevention Society is a committed partner in the enhancement of community safety in the
City of Surrey.

Introduction
Welcome to Surrey Crime Prevention Society! We thank you for volunteering your time and becoming a
part of the solution. Let’s enhance community safety together.

Surrey Crime Prevention Society works collaboratively with our community partners including the City
of Surrey, RCMP, Surrey Parks and Recreation, and Surrey Public Library as we strive to enhance the
safety and security of the City of Surrey. Surrey Crime Prevention Society, in partnership with the City of
Surrey’s Public Safety Strategy is introducing the following components to our programs in order to
enhance community safety:

 Waste Watch/illegal dumping

 Unsightly premises
 Anti-Wire and Metal Theft Awareness Campaign
 By-law reporting
 Fire prevention and observation
 Traffic control at accident scenes
 Working with our community partners to identify homeless persons in need of support
 Observing and reporting suspicious activity in all five districts of Surrey

Administrative Fee
All volunteers are required to pay a onetime $20 administrative fee. This fee covers liability insurance,
notebooks, ID cards and other costs associated with your participation as a volunteer. If you are 19 years
of age or older, and would like to vote in our AGM you must be a member in good standing which means
renewing your membership annually.

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Volunteer Status
Active

An active volunteer with SCPS not only meets the minimum requirement for their program, they go above
and beyond in their role. This volunteer supports in all aspects of their set program as well as special
events. Volunteers who are active with SCPS must be in regular communication with their coordinator,
make up missed shifts within a reasonable amount of time, and notify staff of absences.

Inactive

 Short-term

A short-term inactivity period is considered a temporary hold on your volunteer services for a period
that does not exceed one month. In order to change your status to inactive you must connect with the
Manager of Volunteer Resources and notify them of your status change, as well as the reasoning for this
hold. Please provide us with a minimum of two weeks’ notice.
Note: You must submit you volunteer ID and notebook to your community safety specialist for
safekeeping.
 Long-term

A long-term inactivity period is considered a temporary hold on your volunteer services for a period that
does not exceed three months. In order to change your status to inactive you must connect with the
Manager of Volunteer Resources and notify them of your status change, as well as share the reasoning for
this hold. Please provide us with a minimum of two weeks’ notice.

Note: You must submit you volunteer ID and notebook to your community safety specialist for
safekeeping.
Resignation

If you wish to resign this is considered a definite hold on your volunteer services. You are required to
provide the Manager of Volunteer Resources with a written notice two weeks in advance. In order for
your resignation to be final you must complete a Volunteer Testimonial. This way we can prepare on our
end and walk you through the exiting procedures. It also gives us the chance to find a suitable
replacement volunteer to station in that area.

Note: You must submit you volunteer ID and notebook to your community safety specialist for
safekeeping.

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Dismissal

Surrey Crime Prevention Society may terminate any volunteer who fails to follow the SCPS code of
conduct and does not adhere to SCPS guidelines. If there is a complaint form submitted by your
coordinator, or if we see that there is a behavioral, professionalism or commitment issue, SCPS
management with proceed with termination.
If a volunteer in any way, acts in a manner to discredit the Society or any community partner, he or she
will be terminated immediately. This will jeopardize your chance to receive a reference form SCPS.

Probationary Period
All volunteers are subject to a three month probationary period. During this period
volunteers will work closely with SCPS volunteers and staff to learn key skills required to
participate in the field.
Please ensure your coordinators conduct performance evaluations for you as we use these to provide
references. References can only come from management. If we do not have completed performance
evaluations – we cannot speak to your character, work ethic or commitment to SCPS and therefore
cannot not provide you with an accurate reference.
This three month period is your training period. Failure to attend shifts, make up shifts or provide
reasonable notice to your coordinator will result in incomplete field training.

Program Security and Confidentiality

Please do not share the following information with anyone outside of the
organization. Your safety is our priority. Please respect the privacy of other
volunteers in your areas and do not share their names, addresses, phone
numbers, or any other personal information.

While working in high profile areas you will be exposed to incidents. This includes – reporting, file
numbers, suspect descriptions, any notes taken by you or shared by SCPS staff etc. This information
should not leave our base offices. If you feel the need to discuss a certain issue, or are experiencing any
form of PTSD please notify your coordinator or bring it to management’s attention immediately.

Limitations
 Volunteers will at no time carry weapons or be armed in any way
 Volunteers will not chase or follow police vehicles or emergency vehicles of any kind
 Volunteers will obey laws stipulated by the Canadian Criminal Code
 Volunteers will not conduct investigations such as checking doors or searching areas on foot
unless authorized by RCMP

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 Volunteers will not speak to pedestrians or occupants of any vehicle, unless authorized by RCMP
or Surrey Crime Prevention Society
 Volunteers are to obey traffic regulations at all times
 Volunteers will not consume alcohol, drugs or any unauthorized substances on the day of their
scheduled tour

It is a criminal offence to impersonate a police officer. A volunteer must NEVER give the
impression that he/she is a police officer. Impersonators will be dismissed from Surrey Crime
Prevention Society

Better Impact
Better Impact is a platform that we use on our end to help us manage volunteer profiles. From a
volunteer perspective, it allows you to check your accumulated hour, sign up for upcoming events and
trainings, and connect with management and staff.
Here is the link to access your Volunteer Page: https://app.betterimpact.com/Volunteer/Main
Home: The main page allows you to see your dashboard. Which includes: your name, total hours, about us and our social links.

Opportunities: Shows you available and upcoming events, training opportunities and additional shifts you can sign up for.

Schedule: This tab shows you events, trainings and extra shifts you have signed up for.

Hours: This is a breakdown of your lifetime hours

Reports: this tab allows you to export and print off reports of your contributions.

Contact: This is an email bank for SCPS staff contact information. You can send a message directly from this platform.

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Social Media and Cell Phone Use
The use of your cell phone for personal matters is strictly prohibited. You
are not to be using any social media applications while on shift. Please
refrain from pulling out your cell phone unless you are calling in an
incidents or trying to reach your base operator if the radio is not working.

Do not capture images of incidents, confrontations, or confidential

information while in the field or in the mobile offices.

If you are using SCPS property please be mindful. We are a not-for-profit.

If you see any damage, malfunctions in terms of our equipment or
property, please bring it to your coordinator’s attention so we can either
replace or fix the issue.

Please keep in mind: When you are out in the field you are representing Surrey Crime Prevention
Society. Please ensure you abide by the Criminal Code and Motor Vehicle Act. Use the crosswalks when
crossing - do not jay walk while on tour. No weapons while on shift. You are simply there to observe and
report. Do not give anyone the impression of being a police officer.

Photo Release and Affirmation of Confidentiality

All volunteers are asked to sign a photo release agreement along with a confidentiality agreement. Our
staff will be taking program pictures to showcase the work we do in the community. These images are
also used in our annual activity reports, grants and shared on SCPS social media platforms to spread
awareness about community safety and crime prevention.

If you do not feel comfortable having your picture taken, or did not sign the photo release please check in
with management at the end of this training.

If you'd like to keep up with what we share, you can follow our social feeds on Facebook, Instagram and
twitter.

@ Surreycrimeprevention

Respect and Professionalism

At Surrey Crime Prevention Society we try to foster a culture of inclusion, diversity and respect. Please
ensure that you are treating our field and office staff with the utmost respect and showcasing the highest
level of professionalism when in the field.

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Bullying and Harassment
We have a zero tolerance policy at SCPS. Anyone who proceeds with this will be
terminated immediately. If you see it or hear it amongst staff or volunteers – please take
an active step in reporting it.
Signs of bullying can include:
Quick Tips
• Negative verbal or non-verbal behavior 1. During the winter, keep a
• Verbal threats change of socks or shoes in
• Physical threats your car.
2. Bring an extra jacket – Layer
• Written or threatening content up!

Dress Code
Tours and Programs

When volunteering for your program, please remember the following guidelines for dress code:

 No criminal organization or gang affiliation memorabilia

 Blue or black pants are mandatory. Yoga pants and fitted track pants are acceptable. Sweatpants,
baggy pants, or hooded sweatshirts are unacceptable.
 Runners are mandatory
 No skirts or shorts above knee length, solid color shorts are preferred

Events
When volunteering for an event, please remember the following guidelines for dress code:

 Appropriate footwear: running shoes are mandatory

 Dress weather appropriate: some events are held outdoors, rain or shine
 No sweatpants or hoodies should be worn at any time. Pants/shorts must be well-fit. No baggy
clothing
 Jeans, track pants or cargo pants/shorts are acceptable; refrain from baggy clothing or clothing with
inappropriate design/insignia
 Waterproof jackets should be worn in the event of rainy weather
 Precaution should be taken to prevent heatstroke or overheating during summer months (i.e.
baseball caps, sunscreen, sunglasses and a small water bottle are proactive measures you can take)
 Present yourself in a professional manner

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Safety
Your safety is our number one priority. We want to ensure that the information that is relayed to you
during your in class and in field training is fully understood and applied when you are volunteering.

Should you at any time not feel comfortable performing a particular task, addressing a specific situation
or reporting an incident, please communicate this to your community safety specialist immediately.

Please review safety guidelines below:

 Never put your safety or the safety of others at risk

 Always tour in pairs and never separate yourself from your partner
 Communicate with base operators and volunteers via handheld radios
 Observe and report from a distance - never engage in altercations
 Do not pursue any vehicle or individual that may be suspicious
 Obey the Motor Vehicle Act of British Columbia and laws as stipulated by the Criminal Code of
Canada

Team Leaders
If you are going above and beyond in your role as a volunteer with SCPS, you have the opportunity to
become a Team Lead. Team Leads must be recommended by their coordinator, have a minimum of 50
hours with the organization and no outstanding absences or missed shifts.

Volunteers Team Leaders

• Observe and report suspicious activity in • Select individuals who go above and
your respective area. beyond in their role can be promoted to
• Keep well written and accurate notes of Team Leads within their program locations.
your shift and any incidents that occur • Responsible for managing shifts in the
while on shift. absence of a staff member: ensuring sign
• Connect with base operator throughout in/out of equipment, maintenance of
your shift by communicating over the radio. mobile office space, recording volunteer
This includes but is not limited to: 10-20’s, hours, statistics from said shift, daily
RTO time, check-ins, incidents etc. reports, and completing base logs.
• Complete any incident reports at the end of • Priority participation in exclusive trainings,
your shift. You are welcome to RTO a few media opportunities, events and programs.
minutes before your set RTO time to • Assist in training new volunteers by
complete this report. providing direction in note taking and
• Report incidents to the correct authorities. report writing, use of applications such as
If you are unsure check with your base SARS and Speed Watch, and familiarizing
operator. them with the assigned area.

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Core Programs
Here is an overview of some of our core programs. The majority of our volunteers are placed in the
Community Safety Tour Program or the Traffic Safety program. Having said that, you are not limited to
those programs. After your probation you are welcome to go above and beyond in your role and can
inquire about participating in other programs.

1. Community Safety Volunteer Tours

2. Transit Watch
3. Citizens Community Safety Watch
4. Traffic Safety – Speed Watch | Distracted Driving
5. Special Events
6. Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program
7. LIFT High School Work Experience Program
8. Community Enhancement
9. Civic Pride Program

General Program Requirements

• Volunteers must be sixteen (16) years of age or older for all Programs
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older for the Citizens Community Safety Watch Program (CCSW)
• CCSW Volunteers must hold a valid class 5 driver’s license and be willing to provide a Drivers
Abstract
• Must successfully pass RCMP Criminal Record Check security screening and re-screening, every
two (2) years
• Must follow Surrey Crime Prevention Society Code of Conduct and Guidelines
• Participate in ongoing training opportunities provided by SCPS

Minimum Shift Contribution

• Foot and Bike Tours = 1 two hour shift per week
• CCSW =1 six hour shift per calendar month
• Traffic Safety =1 three hour shift per week
• Special Events = 1 special event per month

Volunteer Expectations
• Attend shifts regularly and on time
• Increase Surrey Crime Prevention Society Awareness
• Use well-mannered speech and refrain from cursing
• Maintain constant communication with SCPS staff via phone and email
• Personal use of cell phones or musical devices while on shift are prohibited

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• Maintain confidentiality with respect to base radio location, radio channels, identity of tour
members and tour activities while

(1) Community Safety Volunteer Tours

I. Foot Tours
 Volunteers must receive foot tour training
 Volunteers are to abide by Surrey Crime Prevention Society’s rules
 Volunteers are never to separate themselves from their tour partner
 Volunteers are to cover the designated tour area and are to avoid dark areas and back alleys that
are hidden and out of view
 Volunteers may be asked to participate in ICBC Locking out Auto Crime Strategies by performing
audits in parking lots.

II. Bike Tours

 Volunteers must receive bike training
 Volunteers are to abide by Surrey Crime Prevention Society’s rules
 Volunteers are to use bike equipment with care and report any damage or malfunctions to the
Program Coordinator immediately
 Volunteers are to ensure unattended bikes are secured with a bike lock at all times
 Volunteers are advised to ride slowly to allow for observations

We cover all 5 districts in Surrey:

Downtown Surrey – 2hours/week
Newton – 2hours/week
Guildford – 2hours/week
Fleetwood – 2hours/week
South Surrey – Two 4hour shifts/month

(2) Transit Watch

Surrey Crime Prevention Society works in collaboration with Transit Police conducting transit
watch tours around transit hubs/areas. This program is incorporated into our foot tour
program. Volunteers observe and report at transit locations within the City of Surrey.
The areas patrolled include: Scott Road, Surrey Central, Gateway, King George and Newton Bus
Loop. This program is executed in partnership with Transit Police. Transit Police’s motto is “Safely
Linking Communities”.
They are out in the community to maintain order and safety, respond to crime in and around transit
areas, investigate offences against passengers and employees, and educate and inform the public on
safety measures. The transit system is an extension of the street. The only difference is that there is an
increased opportunity to offend and act on negative thoughts due to the proximity afforded by more
crowded surrounding.

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Did you know: Transit moves over one million passengers every day.
Reporting: When we are out in the transit areas we not only observe and report but also provide
education and awareness to transit users by distributing transit cards. In case of an emergency,
they can anonymously report it via text and transit will deal with the issue at the next stop. For
emergencies were are still responsible for calling 911.

(3) Citizens Community Safety Watch (CCSW)

This program is more of a luxury for volunteer who have been with us for a long period of time, have very
limited availability due to school, family or work, or if they have moved on to their dream job but still
want to volunteer for us. In this program you are conducting mobile tours.
 Volunteers must cover the designated area or zone in their vehicles
 Volunteers observe and report suspicious activity, (i.e. key in license plate numbers which alert us
to stolen plates and vehicles)
 Volunteers will assist with traffic control around motor vehicle incidents
 Shut off your engine so that your exhaust fumes do not destroy a scent trail for a police dogs
 The passenger is the co-pilot. It is his/her job to watch the street signs and always know your
location while the driver concentrates on driving
 Be aware of where you park when on your break. If you cannot see your car, put your equipment
in the trunk before you arrive at the meeting place
 Do not chase speeding cars – your safety is paramount to their recklessness
 If you have abandoned vehicles to report, provide the dispatcher an exact location and description
of the vehicle. Some vehicles are of interest to RCMP, some to the Bylaw officers and others are of
no interest whatsoever  check with the dispatcher

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SARS
This app is mainly used in the CCSW program and South Surrey Program. We have recently integrated it
into our foot tour programs. This app allows us to check a license plate number on the SAR (stolen auto
recovery) software and lets the user know if the plate is a hit or not.

# of registered
plates in BC

(4) Traffic Safety

Our traffic safety program operates out of our main office. Volunteers meet at 10am, load up the company
vehicles with the necessary equipment and head to a location given to us by ICBC. Volunteers will be
accompanied by a staff member.
Volunteers set up Traffic Safety five days a week around school zones, playground zones and high risk
crash sites to raise awareness about road safety. Collected data is shared with the Surrey RCMP and ICBC.
Volunteers support public awareness and education about safe practices behind the wheel.
We use new technology including an “App” called “Speed Watch”. Volunteers capture information that
gets shared with community partners. Volunteers record the speed of vehicles and any distracted driving
that is observed.

Pro Tip
If you arrive early, gather all equipment that
needs to be loaded into the vehicle when the
coordinator arrives. This allows you to head out
on time and helps the staff or team lead.

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This is what the speed watch app looks like. This app is used in our traffic safety program and civic pride
program. We track the data on the app and at the end of the month share it with ICBC.

(5) Special Events & Projects

In addition to your regularly scheduled shifts all volunteers are required to participate in special events.
These events are posted on your volunteer page. You can click the opportunities tab to sign up for events
that work with your availability. You must have successfully completed your three month probationary
period with SCPS in order to participate.

Please refer to the program requirements section and dress code section to ensure you are on time,
dressed appropriately and have reviewed event information prior to attending.

Surrey Crime Prevention Society volunteers support special events throughout the City of Surrey. These
events include Fusion Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, Vaisakhi Parade, Cloverdale Rodeo Parade and
Fair, Children`s Festival, Newton Community Festival, Fraser Heights Country Festival, Downtown Surrey
Festival, and many more. Volunteers also support community events for other charities in the city.

If you are a special events volunteer, your role does not differ from any other program unless additional
instructions are provided. You are to observe, record and report suspicious activity to the appropriate
agencies. This program operates in all five districts of surrey.

(6) Youth Mentorship Program

The Youth Mentorship program was introduced in 2013 to support the needs of youth-at-risk through
partnerships with the community in Surrey. SCPS offers a unique opportunity for volunteers who
demonstrate strong leadership and offers training to support this program.

Currently, there are limited opportunities for youth-at-risk to receive support. Our mentorship program
supports youth-at-risk between the ages of 12 and 18. As youth-at-risk are vulnerable and at a higher risk
of being recruited to groups exposing them to

Significant danger, this program provides mentorship from trained SCPS volunteers. We offer them the
chance to learn important life skills providing an alternative to mentees who may otherwise be
influenced into less desirable activities.

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The Community Safety Youth Mentorship Program is a minimum twelve (12) week program that focuses
on the delivery of leadership and mentorship training between SCPS Mentors and Mentees. The outcome
of this initiative is to foster a Mentor-Mentee relationship thereby increasing awareness and
volunteerism in programs delivered by SCPS.

The Mentor and Mentee will develop a mutually-compatible schedule, outlining their availability to
participate in SCPS Programs.

Over the span of 12 weeks, Mentors and Mentees will meet for a minimum of four hours every two weeks,
participating in a variety of SCPS programs

(7) LIFT– High School Work Experience Program

Learn. Inform. Focus. Trust. (LIFT)
LIFT stands for Learn, Inform, Focus and Trust. This program is a mentorship program supporting
vulnerable youth in grades 10-12. The LIFT Program will encourage youth to take a proactive approach
to community safety by offering unique well-rounded experiences. This program supports vulnerable
youth identified by teachers and counsellors at Surrey Schools and allows these students to fulfill their
work experience hours with the support of a mentor.
Through active participation in our Traffic Safety Awareness Program, Community Safety Tours and
Special Events and Projects, youth will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of how they can
contribute towards the enhancement of community safety and develop a sense of civic pride. This
experience will lead them on a positive path with mentors supporting them throughout the experience
and allow them to complete the required work experience hours required through the school curriculum.
Program Breakdown
Youth participating in the LIFT program are paired with a Mentor and participate in select programs
offered by SCPS. The youth will be required to make a minimum commitment of 50 hours to the program
during the school semester.
Upon starting the program, youth are asked to set goals for themselves using the SMART goal template.
Youth and Mentors will collaboratively identify priorities with their participation in the program and a
schedule for their time in the program will be established. This will be done during an orientation where
both the youth and the Mentor will be in attendance to ensure they have a comprehensive understanding
of the program guidelines.

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Mentors
Qualified SCPS volunteers apply to participate in this program and are evaluated based on their
experience with the society and willingness to participate in additional training. These mentors are
primarily university students and who are interested in a career in public service. In order to ensure the
program’s success, and to set a standard for involvement, all mentors who support this program are
qualified through a four-step process.
These steps include:
• Application from mentors outlining experience working with youth
• Selection and interview process using behavioral interviewing techniques using personal experiences
• Criminal background checks and a Vulnerable Sector Checks must be obtained to confirm eligibility to
work with youth
• Ability to make a one-year minimum commitment to the program with a possible extension on a case
by case basis

SCPS has a diverse portfolio of volunteers from different multicultural backgrounds and as a result, this
program reaches many of the vulnerable youth who are from these communities. This is important when
dealing with cultural diversity that exists in Surrey. All activities within our programs are supervised
directly by the SCPS Community Safety Specialist.

(8) Community Enhancement

SCPS’ anti-graffiti program has been in operation since 1996, providing committed
service in Surrey and its numerous communities. Working with Surrey Parks,
Recreation and Culture, and Bylaws Enforcement, we support Surrey’s efforts to
eradicate graffiti through our cost-effective program.

The Society has also worked with the Minister of the Attorney General’s youth
coordinators on a number of projects, and has been part of the joint South
Surrey/White Rock Youth Advisory Committee and the School District’s Anti
Vandalism Advisory Committee. The Anti-Graffiti program has accepted hundreds of
students.

Pro Tip
Go above and beyond – challenge yourself to
participate in at least one other event or
Community enhancement shift in addition to
your regular program.

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We provide a van and cover operating expenses such as: paint, brushes and supplies, including a power
washer and powerful graffiti removers.

There are two components to this program: Anti–Graffiti and Community Clean Up. Graffiti is painted
over in the City of Surrey on Hydro boxes and poles as well as selected City property. The Community
Clean-Up Program designates specific streets in the City of Surrey to be cleaned by SCPS.
SCPS staff work with individuals (clients) serving court-appointed community service hours. SCPS only
take clients who are low risk and pose no threat to themselves or those around them. Clients must be
able to be in any location within Surrey.
Clients who come in for shifts with SCPS arrive at the main office and are transported in an SCPS vehicle
to the locations for graffiti and community clean up. Clients work in small group and are supervised by an
SCPS staff member at all times.
Note: If you are a SCPS volunteer wanting to participate in this program, please sign up for shifts through
your Volunteer Page.

Observation Guidelines – Crime in Progress

Below are a few observations that indicate that a crime may have been committed or is in the process of
being committed. When you are out in the field please keep in mind the following observation guidelines.
• Persons removing accessories or license plates from vehicles
• Persons peering into parked vehicles may be planning to steal the vehicle or articles left inside
• Persons entering or leaving business premises after normal working hours may have
committed a Break and Enter
• The sound of breaking glass, screams, loud noises or other unusual sounds
• Persons loitering after dark in parks and secluded areas or in business areas
• Person(s) forcing entrance into buildings or other structures may be committing a Break and
Enter
• Person(s) running, particularly if carrying valuable property
• Vehicles prowling an area after dark with the headlights off may be looking for a victim
• An occupied vehicle parked in a business area after dark should be considered suspicious
• Persons loading vehicles with property after dark. Professional thieves often disguise their
vehicles to look like legitimate service companies
• An apparently abandoned vehicle may have been stolen
• Open or broken doors and windows or gates to compounds or storage areas
• Persons apparently being forced into vehicles against their will may indicate that an abduction
or kidnapping is in progress

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• Person(s) leaving one vehicle and immediately entering another may be abandoning a stolen
vehicle or one that has been used in a crime
• Smoke or flames emanating from a building
• A vehicle being driven in an erratic manner may indicate an impaired driver
• Persons knocking door to door in a residential area is especially suspicious if, after a few
homes are visited, one or more of the subjects goes into a back or side yard
• Waiting in front of a house or business, particularly if owners are absent or if the business is
closed
• Accumulations of large or unusual property in private garages or storage areas
• Property in vehicles not normally found in vehicles such as TVs, stereos, etc.

Counter Observations
The act of attempting to detect if other persons are monitoring your activities. There are numerous ways
subject(s) will attempt to detect if they are being “watched”. Prior to committing a criminal act, a subject
may utilize some of the following methods:
• Drive through an area numerous times to see if police or security persons observe them
• Walk through an area in a very suspicious manner to see if police or security persons observe
them
• Break a window in a business or home and hide a short distance away in order to observe and
time security or police response
• Peer in windows of surrounding buildings/parked vehicles to ascertain if persons are inside
• Cut wires to building alarms to ascertain if police will respond

Volunteer Obligations and Restrictions

• Impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence. Volunteers must never give the impression
that he/she is a police officer
• Volunteers must abide by the Criminal Code of Canada and Motor Vehicle Act
• Confidentiality with respect to base radio location, radio channels, identities of tour volunteers
and tour activities
• Volunteers must never include a non-volunteer in their tours

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 Module 4: How to be Effective on Tour Page |18
• Calls made on cellular phones must be for the purpose of carrying out tour duties. Personal use of
cellular phones are not permitted.

Common Symptoms of Drug Users

• Odour of alcohol or marijuana (distinctive skunk odour)
• Vomiting
• Glassy bloodshot eyes, slurred speech
• Impaired co-ordination
• Physical injuries i.e.; cuts and bruises

What to Look for While on Tour

Vehicles (Mobile) Premises (including unsightly premise)

• Lights off (side streets/alleys) • Wires cut

• Excessive speed (side streets/alleys) or slow, • Smashed windows/insecure windows
patrolling speed • Insecure doors
• Tinted/blacked out windows • Trucks backed up to doors/windows
• Expired license plates or no plates at all • Garbage bins or other large objects
• Truck plates on cars or vice-versa obstructing front entrance
• Plates wired on or plates over other plates • Ladders against premise
• Conflict between front and back plate • External fire escapes
numbers • Flashlights or other lights in premise
• Very young drivers • Persons observed inside appear to be out of
• Impaired drivers place
• Windows smashed out • Persons working late
• Clean car with dirty plates or vice versa
• Rental vans in wealthy areas People
• Overloaded vans • Erratic behavior
• Looking into vehicles/buildings
Vehicles (abandoned/stolen)
• Clothes out of place
• Check parking lots • Bags, backpacks with what appear to be
• Unlicensed/expired plates (streets/alleys) sharp corners inside
• Dirty, dusty or damaged vehicles • Carrying suitcases or large boxes
• Windows smashed/broken • Going into underground parking lots
• Flat or low tires • Appearing to conceal objects in clothing
• Improperly parked • Hiding in shadows
• Excessive garbage or shrub growth under • Following women
vehicle • Observing your movements
• Engines left running

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Tips for when you are on Tour
• At the beginning of a shift, volunteers are to make note in their notebook of the time, date, weather,
and tour partner on shift
• Report to the program coordinator on a predetermined basis
• Always know where you are when on tour – which two streets you are between and what block you
are in
• Tour as much of the catchment area(s) as possible during your shift
• Maintain your notebook on a continual and consistent basis; keep accurate notes and give complete
descriptions of any suspicious activities
• If you observe persons suspiciously looking at you either walking or driving by, you may be being
followed. Find a safe observation point to observe from
• Volunteers are to use the 10-code and phonetic alphabet at all times
• Take appropriate care of the equipment you are issued as it is costly to replace. Report any
malfunctions or damage immediately to your Program Coordinator
• If asked questions when on duty by a stranger, answer briefly without giving away much information
• Do not disturb a crime scene. Follow reporting procedures and maintain security of the scene until
police arrive
• If you come across a recent motor vehicle accident, report any injuries and damage. Maintain security
and protect the scene until police arrive
• Do not intervene with police operations, but render assistance when requested
• Obey all traffic laws – you are responsible for your driving behavior

Locking Out Auto Crime

Auto crime is a persistent threat in B.C.; SCPS volunteers help provide education and awareness on how
you can protect your vehicle by identifying risks and taking away opportunities for thieves. Surrey Crime
Prevention Society partners with ICBC to conduct Locking out Auto Crime Audits (LOAC) in all five
districts of Surrey.
We perform LOAC’s to educate drivers on how susceptible they are to auto theft. We inform them not to
leave their personal belongings in plain view as people will break in for the smallest things. (Change, juice
boxes, garage door openers etc…)
The audit forms are left on the driver side of the windshield. Please ensure when you are placing this
audit that it will be visible to the driver when they return to their vehicle. Place it face down. Take you
time to complete these audits, make sure you fill our each section, and leave any comments that may be
necessary in helping the driver understand the audit and its purpose.

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As SCPS volunteers you are responsible for:
 Educating drivers about theft from auto and placing a reminder (LOAC Audit) on their vehicle to
not leave personal belongings in their vehicles.
 Audit forms are left on the driver’s side on the windshield of vehicles
 Ensure these audits are completed thoroughly

Check off ‘Yes’ or

‘No’ according to
your observations
of the vehicle

Place your
initials/ ID #
where it says
db
Pro Tip
Fill out the location and date while you
are in the office. That way when you go
out and perform these audits you have
one less step to get through.

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 Module 5: Ten Code & Phonetic Alphabet Page |21
Ten Code

Phonetic Alphabet
Note: Most commonly uses are in red box.

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The Five W’s
When calling the RCMP, Transit Police or any appropriate agency, it is imperative to ensure you remain
calm and have all relevant information available. The five W’s will assist you when it comes to recording
and reporting the correct information to your coordinator or dispatch.
1. Who

Suspect description (i.e. sex, race, age, height/weight/build, hair colour/length, eye colour, clothing
description, anomalies)
If a vehicle is involved, include the plate number and vehicle description (colour, make/model, body type
and other distinguishing features), location and direction of travel, time lapse if it is not happening at the
moment, how many occupants in the vehicle, if and why you believe the driver is impaired
2. What

Describe the incident and what has transpired in detail. Remember to ask for the file number. This way if
the complaint changes in any form, you can notify dispatch immediately. Use the phonetic alphabet, 10-
codes and 24 hour clock while reporting and recording.
3. Where

Identify the location. Provide exact address when possible or cross streets or location name: Ex: Holland
Park behind the water fountain
4. When

Identify the date and exact time the incident occurred. Always write down your information during or
right after the incident.
5. Weapons

Describe if there are any weapons involved and a description if known.

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 Module 6: Communication & Radio Use Page |23
Emergency vs. Non-Emergency
Only call 911 if there is a crime in progress, otherwise call non-emergency.
If you are ever unsure, please call 911 immediately and they will redirect your call. Consult your base
operator and ensure they are in the loop if you have reported something to the appropriate agency.
Remind Volunteers of what they should remember when calling in an incident:
- Ensure that you are in a safe location
- Provide you base operator with as much information as you can over the radio
- Obtain File Number
- Complete an Incident Report

Important Numbers
Non-emergency RCMP: 604-599-0502
Transit Police: 604-515-8300

Radios
Radio communication should be the main form of communication between you and the base operator
when you are in the field.

Each team will be given a radio which will be used to communicate with base and other times while they
are out on shift. Each location has a different channel on the radio. This channel corresponds with the
district. We use the 10 code and phonetic alphabet to communicate over the radios.

Radios are very expensive. Please handle them with care and report any malfunctions to your coordinator.

ON/OFF
Use this nob to switch to the
channel that corresponds Volume
with your area/district
For example: Newton is
district 3 so you would switch Quick Tips
to channel 3 while
volunteering in that area. If 1. Return radios at the end of your shift
you are on the same channel 2. Ensure they are turned off
as your base operator you can 3. Place them on the chargers
communicate via radio. 4. Report any damage or malfunctions
immediately.

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Communication Example

1. In this scenario BASE is requesting ALPHA’S location:

BASE: Base to Alpha what is your 10-20
ALPHA: Alpha to Base 10-20 Newton Arena
2. In this scenario BASE is asking all teams to RTO (Return to Office)
BASE: Base to all teams – RTO time 16:45
ALPHA: Alpha to Base 10-4
BRAVO: 10-4
ALPHA: *At 16:40* Alpha to Base 10-17 Main Office

Base Operator
 Base is run by either a staff member or a Team Lead
 Team Leads run shifts if a staff member is not present
 Team Leads have successfully undergone Team Lead training
 Base instructs each team on which location to tour and what to do if there is an emergency
 It is crucial that you let your Base Operator know if you see anything suspicious or call something in to
the RCMP or appropriate authority

Pro Tip
Base is your main point of contact when you are
out in the field. Ensure you check in with them
every 15 minutes. Your safety is our priority!

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Notebooks
Notebooks are official documents and may be used as evidence in court.
Crown, Defense Lawyers, Judges or the Jury may review them. Ensure
your notebook is legible, up to date, and concise and only contains your
observations.
Notebook Policies and Procedures
Please ensure that you are taking detailed notes while out for your shift. If you need to stop for 2 minutes
to complete an entry in your notebook – please do so. Coordinators check your notebooks on a regular
basis. When taking notes make sure you are only documenting information pertaining to observations
made while on shift. Please stay consistent with format and update your notebook every 15 minutes or
each time you reach a new location or communicate over the radio.
If you make a mistake – cross it out with one line and initial next to it. Never give or lend out your
notebook to other volunteers. The only exception would be: if an incident occurred and your partner was
communicating with the dispatcher and didn’t get the chance to take notes, you can share specifics like
dates, times, license plates and file numbers. Please write in your notebooks from your own perspectives.
Do not cover up words, skip or remove pages. If you lose or fill up your notebook, notify your community
safety specialist immediately.
Sample Entry
14:00 31/12/2012 – Foot tour started at Newton Office. Wet and raining. Tour partner Bob.

Format of date – DD-MMM-YYYY

14:30 10-20 Newton Library

15 :00 10-20 Newton Bus Loop. Incident with intoxicated man harassing others. Male, mid 50s
wearing dark blue jeans and red jacket, carrying a red umbrella. South Asian with white
hair. Notified base operator and RCMP contacted.
24 hour
clock Short description of incident and suspect
15:45 RCMP officers arrived and dealt with situation. We left the scene.

16:00 10-61 Coffee Break in Office

16:15 10-8 In service.

10 Codes
16:30 Weather conditions changed. Stopped raining.

17:00 RTO – End of shift.

Return to Office

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Suspect Description
A good suspect description includes:
 Sex
 Race
 Age
 Height, weight and build
 Hair color, length, style, etc.
 Eye color
 Clothing description in as much detail as possible (i.e. shoes)
 Anomalies: rings, tattoos, scars, facial hair, moles, limp etc.
Example
"The suspect was a white male, approximately six feet tall with a medium build. His complexion was fair and
he had a moustache. He looked young, between 20 and 25 years of age. He was wearing dirty blue jeans, a
white, short-sleeve tee shirt with a logo on the back, and athletic shoes. He wore a tattered, black baseball
cap, and his hair, blonde in color, hung out the back of the cap to about shoulder length. He ran out of the
store with a brown bag in his left hand. As he ran, he carried his right arm across his chest as if it were in a
sling. A driver was waiting for him at the far edge of the store's parking lot in a dilapidated pickup, a dark
blue Dodge (maybe 1990). The suspect climbed in the passenger door of the pickup and it sped off onto 4th
Street."

Pro Tip
Taking detailed notes while you are in the field
will assist you in the report writing process. If
you have accurate information you can easily
transfer it to your incident report.

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 Module 8: Incident Reports Page |27
For all of our programs if an incident occurs while you are on shift you are required to write an incident
report. These reports are provided to you and you will need to submit this before you leave.
As mentioned incident reports are written after an incident has taken place on shift or if there was a call
made to the RCMP, Transit Police or any other agency. It is extremely important to be as detailed as
possible on incident reports. Please leave out any fluff – include facts only.
If you made a call to the authorities please make note of the file number in your notebook – transfer this
to the incident report once you RTO.

Breakdown

Insert Name
Staff/Volunteer/Team Lead

Think of this as the title of a book

Think of this as an overview or trailer

Note: It is critical that you make note of dates, times and specifics while out on tour so you can be
accurate when filling out this section of the report.

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 Module 8: Incident Reports Page |28

If you use additional paper, please number the bottom of each page. Example: 1 of 4

Note: Your
base operator should always be in the loop. Ensure you communicate your location, whether you are
dealing with an incident, or if you need assistance at any point over the radio.

This includes SCPS and

public/private property

Note: If a police agency was contacted please record the file number. The dispatcher is usually pretty
good at relaying this information to the individual who is reporting, but if they happen to miss this, do not
hesitate to ask.

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Note: Before you leave for the day, you will need to get the base operator (staff/team lead) to sign off on
this report. They will review it for accuracy, detail and any missed fields. Should you have any questions
or need assistance in completing this report please communicate with the staff member on-site.

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 Module 9: The Value in Volunteering with Us Page |30
Benefits
 Excellent addition to your resume
 Great networking opportunities within the organization and with partners and
stakeholders
 Reference letter/ phone reference
 In field experience with staff members and volunteers
 HR support – Resumes/cover letters
 Assistance with applications

Training Opportunities
 Foot and Bike Tour Training
 ICBC Speed Watch Training
 Traffic Control Persons Training (TBD)
 Emergency Response First Aid Training – Surrey Fire Department
 Transit Watch Training
 Transit Education & Awareness – Transit Police
 Time Management Training
 Team Lead Training
 Mentorship & Leadership Training
 Civic Pride Training
 Work Safe – Safe Work Procedures
 Interview Skills
 Note Taking and Report Writing -RCMP

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