We do not have volunteers, we have reserves. If a reserve steps out of line (and trust me they have) they are asked to not return. In my opinion having a non-sworn volunteer seems a bit hinky to me. IF something was to happen.......then what? You are in danger and if you or someone else is hurt you and your department could be in serious trouble. I'm sorry but I just don't see it as being fiscally feasible if on one hand the department saves money by having volunteers but on the other hand are sued for everything they are worth because someone tried an illegal arrest or (God forbid) someone got hurt or worse. We utilize reserves at their pleasure. Our reserves are never pressured to work or take on an assignment, they do it for the sheer love of the job. That being said, they never go out unarmed, they have vests and if they don't then one is found for them and also.......they are sworn.

You're welcome. Ready to put your application in with us yet?

My department tried the volunteer thing a while back and it didn't really work out.  The ones who stayed were really not worth the time it took to train them.  They were used in the office to do administrative duties, filing,answering phones ect.  Most didn't stick around once the novelty wore off and the ones that did really weren't much of an asset and eventually the program was shelved.   With that being said I think the concept is a good one.  Volunteers could do data entry, filing, and if they have specialized skills like computer nerd they could really be an asset in forensic computer exams and work in identifying suspects in internet schemes ect.  I don't think anyone should ever be sent out into public in a uniform while unarmed.  It's just too dangerous for the volunteer.

As I have posted elsewhere, while volunteers maty be useful, i feel that working on the streets is a dangerous way for them to go, unless with an armed officer.  Maybe we could get some input from BrooklinHillsCop, I think he was and maybe still is a auxillary (unarmed) for NYPD.

Thanks for serving us. In the coming months, your dedication to duty will be more important than ever as more and more people take to the streets to protest whatever crosses their minds. I urge all LEOs to take a look at the OathKeepers.org and see if you wish to be a member.

Now for the topic at hand. Has anyone considered that there are thousands of good citizens out there who would volunteer to assist their local police in any capacity? There are administrators, receptionists, mechanics, nurses, farmers and Pastors. There is every profession under the sun filled with people who would be willing to volunteer their spare time, effort and lives to help their police keep our communities safe from criminal activities and those activities that prevent families from raising their children in a positive atmosphere.

If the Police Chief or top Criminal Justice Administrator maintains a "them vs us" mentality in their department, regardless of public policy, the community is going to respond with the same attitude toward the Police.  Successful policing involves both LEOs and the public..The budgetary problems concerning reserves and the costs associated with it, would be resolved by thinking "outside the box" by taking in volunteers who have a certifiable record of recent (last 2 years?) a attendence in a Citizen Police Academy. Does a citizen need a background check prior to attending the CPA?  Only those volunteers who have attended a CPA and are authorized by their state to carry a concealed weapon be allowed to accompany an officer in a cruiser, bike or on foot during a patrol. An armed volunteer???!!!!  Why not? In most states now, officers are surrounded by the public carrying concealed weapons. Fortunately, most of them are legal and have taken the Federal and State mandated course. Many are resigned Police officers, Marines and other military vets. At little cost, these kinds of men and women can be trained to assist active duty officers during patrol. 

A volunteer who is not willing to provide their onw uniforms, equipment and signature on a legal form absolving the agency from liability for injury need not apply. I would and assure you that there are thousand of people who would as well. Why? Because we all know it is time to step up and toe the line.  The forces of evil are aligned against the people of good now more than ever before. Everyone with any sense of morality and decency knows the time has come to begin making a stand against all that threatens their individual sovereign liberty. We are willing to die for all those things that make us who we are.

Again, Be Safe Out There! We depend on you to stop them, so we don't have to do it.

The department I interned at a few years ago, has 400 volunteers split into two groups. They have there own cars, and could give citations for any non moving voilation. They also went out on the water. 

http://www.mydelraybeach.com/Delray/Departments/Police/Community+Involvement/Volunteer+Program.htm

Not sure if I'm correct in this assumption (which is not good to make in LE work regardless, LOL) but I think Rach is referring to volunteers who assist with various funtions within, or in connection with, an LE agency, NOT necessarily the Reserves or Auxiliaries, who perform LE-specific duties.

My first agency where I started in the mid-90's had what they called a "Citizen's Academy," which was designed to educate and inform the average (but highly motivated) private members of the community on what the agency's mission statement was, on many of the agency's policies and procedures, and how they could gather intelligence and teach others in their respective neighborhoods how to share and relate information to the PD. (That first agency, BTW, had several nationally-recognized programs, some of which were funded by state and federal grants, such as the in-school suspension "boot camp" run by a former member on my patrol squad; although, I'm not quite sure if the Citizen's Academy program is still active at this time, considering all the budget cuts across the nation.) 

If it is this type of volunteer program to which you are inquiring, Rach, drop me a message and I can refer you to a couple contacts at my old PD who might be of assistance. You might also send an email to Maricopa County (AZ) SO, where the "America's Toughest Sheriff" Joe Arpaio still utilizes the volunteer Posse Program -- which reportedly has over 3,000 members in its current ranks. Maybe these are a couple resources which could help you find the info you are seeking..

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this. I got very busy with work. Thank you all for your input. Does it matter to any of you who find it dangerous, that our uniforms are completely different from an officer? I could post a picture if you are interested. Do you think that would decrease the danger?

BSL : Yes, we are mostly an extra set of eyes. We do get out and talk with people on some calls.

mmmm: Why were they not worth the time? What could they have done to help out more?

mz66: We have different pants, different shirt (also a separate color), distinctive patches, and when they are ordered, badges that display 'Volunteer' in large text. Not all of the volunteer programs use the same items we use.

TLeeworth: I appreciate your input. Thank you.

Ex_Liontamer: I am sure it has been realized, or I would not be in the program I am in. I have not met anyone with the "Us vs. Them" mentality. Perhaps just a little reluctant to release potentially damaging information to just anybody, and with good reason.

BrooklynHillsCop: I appreciate your input, but I pretty sure what you did and what I do are not the same. You were fully trained and certified right? The program I am in is just civilian volunteers with a very short version of the academy tailored to what we do.

bsears: Very cool! Thank you for the link! Did you learn how the officers responded to them?

csiguy: The program the PD uses sounds a lot like what we do. Would you mind PMing me what department that is, so I can look it up? I will PM you some links and contacts about the program if you are interested.

mitrocop: Your assumption is correct. :-) We attending something like a citizen's academy (volunteer academy) with more targeted training and several hour lecture from the lawyer that I can sum up in one word, "NO!" haha. What we do sounds very similar to what you are talking about. I will send you a PM, thank you.

Rache, Don't take my comments to mean you shouldn't volunteer, i just tend to error on the side of safety (officer/volunteer safety), even for an officer, the vast majority of thei time a firearm isn't needed, it's just that there is no substitute for a firearm when one is needed.

How much training reserves get runs the gamut--which is a shame, since these people are putting themselves at risk for no compensation. Some (like CA) have the same requirements as regular officers, while others offer just a bit more than community education programs. I'm sure most people would agree (at least those who find reserve officer programs valuable): more training/resources/support for volunteers is a good thing.

NRLO: Training Authorities

RS: Yes, I realize you're talking about more specialized roles. Keep us posted how things are working out. It sounds interesting.

Our department had full time officers, p/t officers who attended the police academy and were certified, sworn officers who had the same training as full time officers and paid very little for patrol, and volunteer auxiliary officers who were trained by the department, armed but not sworn, unpaid and had no power of arrest unless directed to by the full time or p/t officer.  They were a valuable asset to the department and to the officer they rode with.  Most of us wanted an auxiliary riding along with us.  Then in the 80's, state law changed and auxiliaries were required to be graduates of the academy, since the law required that anyone that was armed and/or had the power of arrest be a certified academy graduate.  Their uniforms were a different color, as were the shoulder patches and badge but most people did not notice it.  The auxiliary function died out because very few people could afford the time and expense of 800+ hours of unpaid training, and unarmed auxiliaries meant that we had to be concerned with their safety as well as our own.  For the most part, I liked having an auxiliary in my cruiser.

bsears says ...

Rache  the officers got along great with the volunteers. Also, one officer from the department over saw  all the the volunteers.  It did help that the volunteers could issue citations for any non moving violation, so it freed up the officers time.

That is good to hear!

mz66 says ...

How much training reserves get runs the gamut--which is a shame, since these people are putting themselves at risk for no compensation. Some (like CA) have the same requirements as regular officers, while others offer just a bit more than community education programs. I'm sure most people would agree (at least those who find reserve officer programs valuable): more training/resources/support for volunteers is a good thing.

NRLO: Training Authorities

RS: Yes, I realize you're talking about more specialized roles. Keep us posted how things are working out. It sounds interesting.

Will do!

wayneAST says ...

Our former Sheriff was 100% supportive of the Reserves. We attend  in-service training, have a state-certified FTO, qualify on the range, wear the exact same uniform, and have assigned take-home units. We have real respect for our Deputies and get respect back in return. Our county is geographically huge and typically there are 5 deputies and 2 or 3 Reserves, a 50% boost in manpower. Our biggest problem is the state and county mandate all kinds of 8-hour training . Some of it is necessary but there is a limit to how much time can be donated.

THE BAD: As we all know, liability is almost paralyzing everything we do. A state law that requires Reserve Deputies be full-time, paid officers in order to issue traffic citations or make DUI arrests. That doesn't mean we can't detain the DUI suspects but we can only give verbal warnings. We can stop and check warrants and driver status.  After FTO, the Reserve Deputies are autonomus.

THE GOOD: Working along side some of the finest LEO's in existience. We have a commitment of full support from the Sheriff, a uniform allowance, and mutual respect from full-time Deputies and city police officers. It has been in exisetence for over 17 years.

That sounds great. Thank you for sharing.