Reserve Peace Officers, Volunteers in Law Enforcement, and Search and Rescue members are usually not paid or paid only modest wages yet have exposure for the same job risks that face regular, full-time officers. You can be accused of and threatened civilly for a civil rights violation. You can be investigated criminally for misdemeanor or felony use of excessive force. You may be subject to administrative actions for any transgression from improper paperwork to violating civil rights under color of authority. You may be subject to administrative actions resulting in penalties up to and including dismissal for allegedly taking enforcement action while off duty. You can even be denied a "liberty interest" hearing where the facts otherwise legally compel such a hearing. If any of these things should happen to you, CRPOA's Legal Services Plan will afford CRPOA General Members the following:

Administrative Matters

The Plan's legal counsel will provide advice and counsel in administrative matters relating to the Member. The Plan's legal counsel will appear on behalf of the Member in any interview or hearing.

Appeals to the Superior Court

Where a Member has received an adverse administrative decision on a matter described in the preceding paragraph and CRPOA determines that the issues involved are of broad importance to CRPOA Members, CRPOA may authorize appeal to the Superior Court. In such event, the Plan's legal counsel will work with CRPOA to undertake the appeal as they mutually determine to be beneficial to the membership as a whole. Where such appeals are undertaken they will be at no cost to the Member.

Criminal Matters

The Plan's legal counsel will provide initial legal representation, whether the Member is a witness or the target of an investigation, until such time as charges are filed and/or an indictment is returned against the Member, at which time benefits cease.

Civil Actions