Police Auxiliary Officers

The Auxiliary Police Corps traces its roots back to World War II. During that war there was a need to replace police officers drafted to serve in the armed forces of our country. In addition, there was also a need for civil defense as it was uncertain if the war would reach our soil. Members of the Auxiliary Police wore both "hats," assisting the regular police officers while acting in a civil defense roll an air-raid wardens, etc.

After the war, the civil defense hat was dropped and the Auxiliary became an active support unit to the regular police officers. The membership has dwindled over the years dropping from about 40 members to the current eight or ten members, but the goals and mission have not changed.

Village Code

The role of the Auxiliary officer is defined in the Village code:
Auxiliary policemen may be called for active service at any time by the Village President or by the Chief of Police. Such auxiliary policemen shall be subject to assignment and performance of the following duties in the Village: To aid or direct traffic within the Village; to aid in control of natural or manmade disasters; to aid in case of civil disorder as directed by the Chief of Police and to perform such other normal and regular police duties as are assigned by the Chief of Police in those instances where it is impractical for members of the regular Police Department of the Village to perform these duties. Auxiliary policemen, when on duty but not at any other time, shall possess the Statutory powers of conservators of the peace. Auxiliary policemen shall at all times during the performance of their duties be dressed in an appropriate identifying uniform, which shall be different and distinct from the uniform used by members of the regular Police Department of the Village, and shall be subject to the direction and control of the Chief of Police, or of the superior officer in charge during such period of duty, and auxiliary policemen shall be further subject to the rules and regulations of the Police Department of the Village. No auxiliary policeman shall carry firearms, except with the permission of the Chief of Police and while in uniform and in the performance of his duties, and it shall be unlawful for any such auxiliary policeman to attempt to carry out any order or exercise any power given to auxiliary policemen under this Section or to carry firearms unless such auxiliary policeman is in uniform and is performing those duties which have been assigned to him. (Ord. 1273, August 18, 1975)

By code and an agreement in the contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Bargaining Unit, Auxiliary officers are not allowed to replace regular officers, just supplement the regular officers. Simply, they cannot be used to avoid payment of overtime to regular officers or replace officers when they go on medical leave, vacation, school, etc.

Current Auxiliary Corp Duties

Today, Auxiliary Corps members, in addition to formal training and formal firearms training, ride along with regular officers on Friday and Saturday nights to provide manpower and receive continuous on-the-job training from the Riverside officer they are assigned to on those nights.

At other times the Auxiliary is called upon to assist with traffic control during special events, such as the 4th of July concerts and parade, the antique fairs, cruise nights or when needed for disasters, such as the floods we have experienced in past years.