The Sanford Neighborhood Watch guidelines have been pretty widely published, but to be honest, they're not really relevant. Neighborhood Watch is not a job. It's established that he was carrying a gun legally, and that "following" is also legal. And aside from all that, Zimmerman was not on a "neighborhood watch" patrol, he was on a personal errand (to Target, I believe.)
I have never seen or heard any quotes from any Sanford Neighborhood Watch guidelines reported on radio or TV. If they have ween widely published, I’ve missed them. I am searching the web right now.
I would disagree that they would not be relevant. If Zimmerman acted outside the guidelines, the prosecution would use that as evidence to support the “profiling” aspect of its case. If his actions were consistent with the policy, the defense would say that helps prove Zimmerman’s assertion as to what happened that night. “Following” would not be legal if it’s part of a plan to track down and kill someone unlawfully.
The Sanford PD’s NW program Handbook states:
“1. Neighbors join together to provide information about their households to one another.
2. Participants receive training in observation techniques and recognition skills in order to recognize suspicious activities.
3. Upon seeing a suspicious activity or a crime, Participants immediately report their observation to the police department.
4. Law enforcement responds and apprehends the suspect criminal. If the suspect is not caught in the act of committing the crime, your recognition of the suspect and your notes will be very vital.”
Based on this, I see all of Zimmerman’s actions prior to the confrontation with Martin as completely within the NW guidelines. I would like to know what exactly is taught in section 2 regarding “observation techniques.” Those details might further exonerate Zimmerman.