bylaws

   ARTICLE I.  MEMBERSHIP
A.  Qualifications

Members are required to. he of good moral character and must--be at least 21 years of age.    Members must be willing to donate their time and efforts in the spirit of civic mindedness and good horsemanship. Prospective members must be sponsored by an active member, in good standing, of the mounted posse.

(1) Mounted Members

A Chino Mounted Posse application form, a City Volunteer application, and a set of fingerprint cards must be submitted. A photograph of the perspective member will accompany the application.     The application will be submitted to the Posse Coordinator for review and processing. (Amended 3/96)

Prospective members must participate in at least three rides and attend two monthly meetings.    (Amended 3/96) Prospective members will be requested to demonstrate their horsemanship ability. (Amended 4/99) Mounted members must have an appropriate mount and either  OWN OR HAVE ACCESS TO A HORSE TRAILER ......

Upon successful completion of a background check, the Posse Coordinator will bring the application before the membership for a discussion regarding the suitability of the prospective member, and a vote will be taken. Acceptance of the prospective member will be decided by two-thirds vote of the membership.    (Amended 3/96) There is a six month probationary period for all new members. (Added 4/99)

(2) Non-Mounted Members

The qualifications for non-mounted status will be the same as those for mounted membership. Recognizing the need for participation of non-riders, members may apply for non-mounted membership status. Non-mounted members will not be required to prove their horsemanship ability unless, at a later date, the member requests mounted status.

B. Inactive Membership

In the event that any member in good standing becomes physically incapable of performing Mounted Posse duty or for any reason finds it necessary to apply for a leave of absence, he/she may, upon approval of the majority of the voting members, become an inactive member . Members may remain inactive for a period of six months.    If necessary, and approved by the Board of Officers, inactive status may be extended an additional six months (or portion thereof) for a maximum of one year.  at any time the inactive member desires to be fully reinstated as an active member, he/she will receive priority consideration for membership, and make the request for reinstatement to the Posse Coordinator in writing. (Amended 3/96)

Inactive members will be required to surrender their badge, identification, and all equipment belonging to the Chino Mounted Posse.

C.  Honorary Membership

An honorary member shall be a member who is recognized for outstanding reputation and noteworthy contribution to the Mounted Posse.The honorary member may attend meetings, but will not be able to hold office or vote. Honorary members will be excused from payment of dues. Honorary members must be approved by a majority vote of the general membership. The Chief of Police shall be an honorary member of the Posse.

D. Dues

Annual membership dues will be $36 due in January of each year. Dues are delinquent on the following 1st of February and, if not paid by the following 1st of March, the member will be automatically suspended. Members who owe 'due's on the following of April are automatically terminated from the Mounted Posse Pro, ram. Suspension and termination from the program are automatic and without notice unless the Captain or Coordinator has given cause as to why these actions should be withheld.
(Amended 3/98)

Dues will be utilized to provide operational funds for the Unit and may be expended at the discretion of the membership, by majority vote. Inactive members will continue to pay dues at the rate of $36 per year. (Amended 3/97)

E. Initiation Fee

There will be an initiation fee at the time of membership; $100 for mounted and $50 for non-mounted members. The fee will be refunded if the member fails probation.

F.  Limitations

Limitations of membership will be set by majority vote of the general membership.

Termination/Removal or Resignation (Added 3/96)

Any member may be terminated by the Chief of Police for misconduct, violation of policy, or other acts that reflect poorly upon the reputation of the Chino Police Department, or bring discredit upon the Mounted Posse. (Added 3/96)

(2) Non-probationary members may be terminated by the Posse for cause. Such termination will require majority vote of the membership. Added 3/96)

(3) Probationary members may be terminated from the Posse, without cause, by majority vote of the membership. (Amended 3/96)

(4) A member may resign at any time by submitting a resignation, in writing, to the Board of Officers. This resignation shall become effective upon acceptance by the Board.

Equipment (Added 3/96)

(1) Badges and identification cards are the property of the Chino Police Department.

(2) All issued equipment or equipment purchased by the Posse is property of the Posse and must be returned to the Posse upon request.

(3) Members are responsible for maintaining all issued equipment in good condition.

(4) Members are responsible for replacing lost or damaged equipment.

ARTICLE V.  

A.     Board of Officers
 

OFFICERS AND DUTIES

(1) Captain

Will preside over and direct the meetings and activities of the Chino Mounted Posse.    The Captain shall maintain an appropriate liaison with the Police Department Posse Coordinator.    (Amended 3/96)

(2) Lieutenant

Will act in absence of the Captain and will perform assigned duties at the direction of the Captain.    The Lieutenant will be the contact person for all Mounted Posse events and will be responsible for inspecting members for appearance and uniformity while participating in community functions.

(3) Sergeant

Will maintain inventory and a roster of all Mounted Posse equipment, including the issuance of that equipment when directed to do so.

(4) Secretary

Will keep all records of the meetings, record and distribute all proceedings of the minutes, and handle correspondence as directed by the Captain. (Amended 9/92)

(5) Treasurer

Will collect membership dues and monies paid to the organization, handle all banking matters, and maintain all financial records. (Amended 9/92)    The Treasurer will provide a financial report at each meeting. (Added 3/96).
 

TERMS OF OFFICE AND ELECTION

(l) Board Officers

Serve for a term of one year. (Amended 3/96)

(2) Committee

A nomination/election committee of two members will be appointed by  the Captain at the time of the November meeting. ....... At that time, nominations will take place by secret ballot. Those nominations will be accepted by the nomination committee who will cause each of those nominated to be contacted. The committee will contact the nominee regarding their desire to be considered for the nominated office. A list of potential candidates will then be established and presented to the membership in ballot form at the December meeting.

(3) Elections
The elections will take place at the December meeting, at the time and place designated by the Captain.     Members will each be presented with a secret ballot.    The completed ballots will be counted by the election/nomination committee.     Results of the election will be forwarded to the Captain for announcement at the same meeting. Ballots will be made available for member review at the request of any member. Officers will take office effective the first Sunday of January.

(4) Vacancies in Office

A vacancy in office will be filled by a majority vote of the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting

(5)  Resignation or Removal

An officer may resign as stated in Article III, Section H(4) of the Bylaws. An officer may be removed from office at any time, by a majority vote of the Board of Officers. (Amended 3/96) ..............
C. Posse Representation/Expenditures

The Board of Officers shall have the power to act for, and on behalf of, the Posse in all business matters and the members of the Posse shall be bound by the Board's actions, the same as though approved by each member. The Board of Officers may authorize the expenditures of up to $100 without membership approval. (Amended 3/96)

D. Law Enforcement Coordinator/Liaison Officer

A sworn police officer, assigned by the Chief of Police, will serve as Coordinator and Liaison between the members of the Posse and the Police Department.    The Coordinator/Liaison Officer will keep the Department informed of Posse activities. (Amended 3/96)

The Coordinator/Liaison Officer will attend all meetings, assist in training and provide assistance--as needed or requested by members of the Board of Officers.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

The Captain may appoint and authorize any standing or special committee(s) as is deemed necessary and consistent with the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

The Mounted Posse shall hold regular monthly meetings as prescribed by the Bylaws.

A.  Regular Meeting

Regular meetings will be held on the first Thursday of each month unless members are notified otherwise.     (Amended 4/99)     Seven (!) members present will constitute an official meeting.    (Amended 9/93) (Amended 3/96)

B.   Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by an Officer of the Board when necessary.

C.  .Open Meetings

All meetings, unless otherwise noted, shall be "open meetings," where prospective members or guests may be present. Guests may be invited by an active member only.

D. .    Attendance

All members are required to attend a minimum of nine (9) meetings annually. An absence may be excused with prior notification to a Board Member. Unexcused absences may result in the member's dismissal from the Unit.

ARTICLE VIII.                                              EVENTS

A. Participation

The Mounted Posse will schedule monthly events inclusive of rides, parades, mock search and rescues, and mandatory training. Any member who fails to participate in three consecutive events, without a valid excuse acceptable to the Board of Officers, will be subject to dismissal. Recommendation for said dismissal shall be made by an Officer of the Board or the Coordinator and will require a majority vote of the membership. (Amended 3/96)

B. Mandatory or Emergency Events

All members are required to make themselves available in the event of an emergency, and to provide their services to the City of Chino.    If a member fails to respond to an emergency or mandatory situation, a valid excuse will be required.    The circumstances will be presented to the Board of Officers for review.     Members who consecutively miss two mandatory or emergency events may be subject to dismissal.
C.     Sanctioned Events

Members shall not participate in any function sanctioned by the Chief of Police of the City of Chino unless said member and mount has been certified by the Chief of Police or his designee. (Amended 3/96)

D.      Responsibility

The Posse's participation in City sanctioned events and the individual behavior of members remain the responsibility of the Chino Police Department, which will be ensured by the Posse Coordinator.    (Amended 3/96)
 

ARTICLE IX.                                                TRAINING

A.  General

All members will be trained according to the guidelines set forth in the Mounted Posse Training Manual. They will possess valid First Aid and CPR cards in accordance with the policy of the Chino Police Department. Members must familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of
the chino Police Department affecting the existence and operations of the Mounted Posse.

Other training, such as search and rescue, will be provided by qualified personnel. .......  personal

B.  Certification

Upon successful completion of specialized training, members will be tested and certified by the appropriate instructor. A copy of the certification, to include the member and mount, will be placed in the member's training file in Police Administration.     (Amended 3/96)

Once the specific training is completed, the member may be qualified to represent the City of Chino in sanctioned events, following favorable recommendation by the Posse Coordinator to the Chief of Police. (Added 3/96)

All members must maintain current their address, telephone number, and any other pertinent information.    Upon changing address or phone number, members will notify the Posse and the Posse

ARTICLE X.                                                INDEMNIFICATION

A.       Insurance

The Board of Officers may request the City of Chino to extend Worker's Compensation benefits to members of the Chino Mounted Posse when representing the City of Chino.

Members shall maintain insurance for their vehicles and horse trailers at all times.

B.     Litigation

The Board of Officers may request the City of Chino to indemnify any member of the Posse for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in connection with litigation arising from participation in any event sanctioned by the City of Chino.

ARTICLE XI.                                     PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall be the authority at all meetings wherein they are applicable and not in conflict with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XII.   AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by affirmative vote of a majority of the general membership providing full presentation of such proposed amendments have been published and presented in the notice of the next scheduled general meeting.  The proposed amendments must be approved, in writing, by the Chief of Police and the Board of Officers.

ARTICLE XIII.  APPROVAL OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws shall become effective by an affirmative majority vote of the membership.  The Bylaws shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary.

AMENDMENTS:

5/92

Article III, Section D, Dues

9/92

Article IV, Section (4), Secretary

Article IV, Section (5), Treasurer

9/93

Definition of Majority Vote

Article VI, Section A. Regular Meetings

3/96

Definitions:  City Sanctioned Event, Member, Volunteer, Probation, Posse Coordinator

Article II, A. Equestrian Unit, B. Community Service

Article III, Authority and Control (added)

Article IV-XIII - Changed sequentially

Article IV, (1), Membership (Mounted), (B) Inactive, (D) Dues, (G) Probationary Period, (H) Termination/Removal - Resignation (added), (I) Equipment (added)

Article V, A. (1) Captain, (5) Treasurer, B. (1) Terms, (5) Resignation or Removal, C. Posse Representation/Expenditures, D. Law Enforcement Coordinator

Article VII, A. Meetings

Article VIII, A. Participation, C. Sanctioned Events, D. Responsibility

Article IX, B. Certification (1) (2) (3)

3/97

Article IV, Membership, (D) Dues

3/98

Article IV, Membership, (D) Dues

4/99

Definitions, 7.

Article III, Authority and Control, A Posse Manager, Coordinator & Advisor

Article IV, Membership, second paragraph (may to will), third paragraph        (probationary period)

Article VII, Meetings, A. Regular meetings (second to first Thursday)