Garland Parks and Recreation
8.0 - Public Safety, Law Enforcement, and Security
NOTE: Standards marked with a star (*) are fundamental standards and are required of all agencies seeking accreditation.
Laws and ordinances provide the foundation for controlling activities and behavior within the jurisdiction of the agency. General municipal codes, laws and ordinances and state and federal laws are applicable to parks and recreation areas and facilities. However, these laws generally have broad application and lack specificity as they relate to the control and management of parks and recreation areas and facilities. Special laws and ordinances may be enacted to specifically address and guide public use and behavior and may delegate authority to issue and enforce permits, licenses, rules, and regulations applicable to parks and recreation areas and facilities.
Agency staff are first-in-line to gain compliance with ordinances, rules, and regulations. Regardless of whether the agency employs law enforcement officers or contracts for law enforcement services, agency staff have responsibility to educate patrons on the proper use of parks, recreation areas and facilities. However, when patrons fail to comply, enforcement becomes the responsibility of sworn law enforcement officers.
For agencies relying on the services of law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions or departments, it is essential that formalized liaison relationships be established between agency staff and the official law enforcement organization.
Particular attention should be given to national, state, and local emergency plans and procedures directed toward large-scale natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and floods. Plans should include evacuation procedures, inventories and locations of equipment and materials, displacement plans for facility residents and activities, and provision of psychological aid for staff affected by emergencies.Standard: Public safety and law enforcement within parks and recreation areas and facilities shall be governed by codes, laws, and ordinances, some of which may be enacted specifically for the control and management of parks and recreation areas and facilities. The codes, laws and ordinances shall be posted or readily available to park patrons.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation of the codes, laws, and ordinances that pertain specifically to areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of the agency and describe how they are posted or otherwise readily available to park patrons.Narrative: The City of Garland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25 Parks and Recreation, contains ordinances that pertain to the areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of PARD.
Ordinances are communicated to the public through signage in the park system, such as the Park Rules Sign and Dog Park Sign as well as on the city website.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Standard: There shall be established liaison assignments for agency staff to the official law enforcement officers providing public safety and law enforcement service to the agency.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide current documentation of staff liaison assignment(s) with the law enforcement authority responsible for enforcement of laws and ordinances within the parks and recreation areas and facilities.
Narrative: PARD maintains a strong partnership with the Garland Police Department through designated staff liaisons. This coordination ensures effective integration of law enforcement in our parks and recreational facilities.
The staff liaisons are outlined in the Memo to the Police Chief, ensuring alignment between PARD and law enforcement on public safety goals.
PARD also collaborates closely with Neighborhood Police Officers who are familiar with our parks, facilitating prompt and effective responses to any incidents.
This structured partnership enhances safety across our parks and recreation areas, ensuring a secure environment for all users.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Standard: The authority of law enforcement officers to enforce laws and ordinances pertaining specifically to activity within parks, recreation areas, and facilities shall be clearly established to ensure that enforcement actions are upheld. Authority to enforce laws and ordinances within parks and recreation areas and facilities must be established through assignment within the agency, by contract with another agency, or by policy of the government jurisdiction in which the agency operates.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation that establishes the authority of law enforcement officers to enforce laws and ordinances within parks, recreation areas, and facilities.
Narrative: Article 2.13 Duties and Powers of Vernon’s Texas Statutes and Codes grants peace officers the authority within their jurisdiction. This authority enables Garland Police to enforce Chapter 25, Parks and Recreation, of the City of Garland Code of Ordinances.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.2 EOC 1 Article 2.13 Duties and Power of Vernon’s Texas Statutes and Codes
8.2 EOC 2 Code of Ordinances Chapter 25 Parks and Recreation
8.2 EOC 3 Response to Reviewer Comments
Standard: Law enforcement officers with the authority to enforce laws within areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of the agency must have proper training in order to carry out their roles and responsibilities.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a summary of the current training program for law enforcement officers having jurisdiction within the parks and recreation agency, including provision for refreshers and updates.
Narrative: The City of Garland ensures that all law enforcement officers are properly trained to enforce applicable laws and regulations. Officers must have basic peace officer training in compliance with the Texas Administrative Code e1A. In addition to this foundational training, officers participate in regular refresher courses to maintain and update their knowledge on law enforcement best practices, with a focus on public safety.
The Garland Police Academy offers a quarterly training schedule for required and refresher courses. These sessions cover key topics such as conflict resolution, public interaction, and emergency response, ensuring that officers are well-equipped to handle safety concerns within Garland’s parks and recreational areas.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.3 EOC 1 Texas Administrative Code Police Officer Qualifications e1A
8.3 EOC 2 Basic Peace Officer Training
8.3 EOC 3 Garland Police Academy Quarterly Training Schedule
Standard: Agency staff shall participate in educating and informing the public on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to parks and recreation areas and facilities. This role shall be established through policy directive.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation that defines the role of agency staff in providing public information and education on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies. Provide examples of education and provision of information.Narrative: PARD ensures public awareness and compliance by actively communicating the laws, ordinances, and rules governing parks and recreation facilities. The legal foundation is established in Chapter 25 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, which is readily accessible to the public via the city’s website.
Facility-specific rules are conveyed through forms such as the Recreation Center ID Form and Fitness Agreement Form, which are completed during registration for ID cards and fitness memberships. These forms clearly outline the rules for each facility.
Public Wi-Fi terms are also available on the city website, ensuring visitors are informed when using Garland Public Wi-Fi. In parks, clear signage, such as the Dog Park Rules, educates users about the guidelines for safe and respectful park use.
Through these efforts, PARD maintains transparent communication, fostering responsible public use of parks and facilities.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.4 EOC 2 Recreation Center ID Form
Standard: Agency staff shall participate in educating and informing the public on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to parks and recreation areas and facilities. This role shall be established through policy directive.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation that defines the role of agency staff in providing public information and education on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies. Provide examples of education and provision of information.Narrative: PARD ensures that all staff are properly trained on their roles in public safety and their interactions with law enforcement. Through in-service training, staff understand where their authority ends and when incidents must be referred to law enforcement officers. Training sessions are reviewed and updated annually to ensure they remain current with best practices.
All staff participate in training specific to their roles. These sessions cover critical areas such as conflict resolution, handling disruptive behavior, and safety protocols. The Summer Camp Training provides guidance on recognizing safety risks and determining when law enforcement involvement is necessary. Similarly, the Lifeguard Training ensures lifeguards are equipped to manage emergencies until law enforcement arrives.
Additional training on workplace violence and active shooter response, and CPR further prepares staff to handle a wide range of public safety issues. Attendance at these training sessions is documented through sign-in sheets, ensuring that all front-line staff are well-prepared to address law enforcement-related incidents in Garland’s parks and recreation areas.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.4.1 EOC 1 Summer Camp Training
8.4.1 EOC 2 Lifeguard Training Sign-In Sheet
8.4.1 EOC 3 Active Shooter Workplace Violence Recreation Sign-In Sheet and Agenda
8.4.1 EOC 4 Park Operations CPR Training
8.4.1 EOC 5 Camp Counselor Job Description
8.4.1 EOC 6 Lifeguard Job Description
8.4.1 EOC 7 Recreation Manager Job Description
8.4.1 EOC 8 Recreation Supervisor Job Description
Standard: There shall be established procedures for agency staff on response to disruptive behavior at agency areas and facilities. Procedures shall identify the role of staff in intervention when an incident occurs, documentation of behavior and delineation of law enforcement roles in handling behavioral issues.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide current procedures regarding handling of disruptive behavior.
Narrative: PARD ensures a safe and welcoming environment through clear procedures for managing disruptive behavior. The Recreation Center Rules and Regulations and Park Rules outline the expected behavior for all visitors.
When disruptive behavior occurs, staff are required to complete an Incident Report, detailing the nature of the disruption, actions taken, and any involvement of law enforcement, if necessary.
For specific programs, such as summer camps, the Summer Camp Manual Discipline Policy provides additional guidance tailored to managing large groups of children. This policy ensures that both minor and serious infractions are handled consistently and appropriately.
In cases of severe disruptions, staff may suspend participants in accordance with the Suspension SOP.
These procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors and staff.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.4.2 EOC 1 Recreation Center Rules and Regulations
Standard: The agency shall coordinate with the official law enforcement agency having jurisdiction on large-scale events hosted or facilitated by the agency that require planning a n d coordination of traffic, parking, and crowd control. Plans shall specifically define the roles of the event sponsor, agency staff, and the law enforcement agency regarding traffic layouts at the venue, traffic routes and personnel assignments.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a recent example of coordination with law enforcement on traffic control, parking plans and crowd control for activities and events hosted or facilitated by the agency.
Narrative: PARD ensures effective traffic management, parking, and crowd control for events through close collaboration with the Garland Police Department.
Event Planning and Coordination: For significant events, a Special Event Application is submitted, initiating planning with law enforcement. The Special Event Map details traffic routes, parking zones, and crowd control measures.
Community Events and Guidelines: Guidelines like the Block Party Trailer Guidelines support safe operations for smaller events. The National Night Out showcases our coordination with police for community safety.
Location Use Agreements: The Location Use Agreement ensures proper management of traffic and crowds for events on city property.
These collaborative efforts ensure all events are safe and well-organized, prioritizing the community's safety and enjoyment.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.4.3 EOC 1 Special Event Application
8.4.3 EOC 3 Block Party Trailer Guidelines
8.4.3 EOC 4 National Night Out
8.4.3 EOC 5 Location Use Agreement
8.4.3 EOC 6 12.5.24 COTS Condensed EAP
Standard: Procedures shall be established that guide agency staff in the preservation and handling of evidence until transferred to the appropriate law enforcement authority.
Procedures shall be established in coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to define staff roles in ensuring that evidentiary items are preserved until the proper law enforcement agency assumes command of the scene.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the procedures defining the role and responsibility of agency staff in the discovery, preservation, and handling of evidentiary items.
Narrative: PARD has an SOP for handling evidentiary items, which applies to all employees. The SOP outlines the process for managing contraband, evidence, and hazardous items found on city property. This ensures that all found items are handled safely and in compliance with legal standards.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Standard: The agency shall have a comprehensive general security plan addressing areas, buildings and facilities under its jurisdiction that is updated periodically. Plans for each major area, building or facility should be available at each site. The general security plan may be a compilation of security plans from each major area, building or facility.
Hazardous or flammable materials storage areas should be clearly identified in plans and at each specific site. Signage at each site should be installed in accordance with the unified signage system. To be effective, the security plan should be updated when a new area, building or facility is added, security systems are modified or when legislation requires change.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the agency’s general security plan or compilation of security plans from each major area, building or facility with the most recent review or update. These plans typically include:
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Locking key systems and associated assignments.
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Alarm system and assignment of security codes.
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Opening and closing procedures.
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Fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
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Emergency evacuation procedures.
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Critical incident response procedures and training.
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Location and training of AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
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Procedures of Open Carry weapons; and
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Training and Plan on Active Shooter
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Access protocol
Narrative: PARD maintains a comprehensive security plan for its buildings and facilities, which includes detailed procedures for handling various emergency situations. The Emergency Action Guide outlines protocols for emergencies such as severe weather, hazardous material incidents, fire emergencies, and active shooter situations. Additionally, it provides evacuation maps and designated rally points for each facility to ensure organized and efficient responses during emergencies. The plan is regularly updated to reflect any changes in facilities or systems, ensuring ongoing compliance with safety regulations.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.5 EOC 1 Emergency Action Guide
8.5 EOC 2 Response to Reviewer Comments
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Standard: The agency shall be aware of emergency operations planning within their jurisdiction and its role in emergency management systems. Roles may vary depending on the scope of services provided by the agency and the location of its facilities. Recreation agencies, having roles in emergency management systems within their local jurisdiction, shall be aware of the applicable operations plan. The agency’s specialized staff, buildings and equipment may be integral to the plan and may be deployed in the event of a large-scale emergency. The U. S. Office of Homeland Security provides guidance and support for the preparation and maintenance of emergency management plans.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the applicable emergency management plan with the most recent date of approval. If, due to security concerns, the emergency management plan is not available for public review, provide the emergency management plan table of contents.
Narrative: The Emergency Operations Plan developed by the Office of Emergency Management was approved on December 19, 2024.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Standard: Through in-service training, agency personnel shall understand their role in ongoing security and emergency management. In-service training should inform staff of their role in response to critical incidents and emergencies and provide specific procedures for routine operations.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation of in-service training programs on general security and emergency management, including a dated outline of the presentation topics and a roster of participants.
Narrative: PARD ensures staff are prepared for general security and emergency management through regular trainings. These sessions cover critical areas, including emergency response protocols, general security measures, and procedures for managing various incidents that may occur in parks and recreation areas.
Key training programs include FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS) Certification, CPR and First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogen training. Defensive driving training is required for any staff who operate city vehicles, ensuring safe practices during transport. Lifeguards and recreation staff receive additional role-specific training, such as lifeguard in-service training for responding to water-related emergencies.
These training programs are regularly reviewed to ensure they reflect current best practices. An updated staff training sheet is maintained to track whether trainings and certifications are current or require renewal, ensuring staff are properly trained and prepared.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
8.6.1 EOC 3 Blood Borne Pathogen
8.6.1 EOC 5 Lifeguard In-Service Training
8.6.1 EOC 6 Staff Training Sheet
8.6.1 EOC 7 Email concerning Bloodborne
Standard: There shall be a communications plan that is reviewed and updated periodically, to accurately and effectively communicate with the public and experts during a catastrophic event that attracts significant media attention, such as a health emergency, terrorist attack, earthquake, or storm. The crisis communication plan shall delineate individuals responsible for 58 communicating with the press, chain of command on notifying proper people of the incident and communicating status updates.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a copy of the Emergency Risk Communications Plan and the most recent review.
Narrative: The City of Garland ensures effective emergency communication through ESF-2 (Communications) and ESF-15 (Public Information and Warning). These protocols enable timely, accessible messaging via the Garland Emergency Notification System (ENS) and backup systems like Garland Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES). Joint Information Centers (JICs) maintain consistent, accurate updates during incidents. By leveraging these tools and strategies, PARD ensures reliable communication and public safety in emergencies.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Standard: There shall be procedures to coordinate with agencies designated to provide care and shelter to those in need during disasters or emergencies.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide procedures to coordinate with agencies designated to provide care and shelter during emergencies.
Narrative: The Winter Weather Operations Annex outlines the City of Garland's comprehensive response to winter weather emergencies, with PARD serving as an integral member of the Winter Weather Response Team. According to Page 8 of the Annex, PARD is specifically responsible for coordinating the opening and operation of warming centers during severe weather events. This ensures that the community has access to safe, heated locations when temperatures drop dangerously low.
Through its active role in the Winter Weather Response Team, PARD plays a vital part in safeguarding the well-being of residents, ensuring the agency is prepared to act swiftly and efficiently in times of need.
Agency Evidence of Compliance: