Volunteers in Police Service

Since September 11, 2001, the demands on state and local law enforcement have increased dramatically. As a result, already limited resources are being stretched further at a time when our country needs every available officer out on the beat. Some local police departments are turning to civilian volunteers to supplement their sworn force. These vital efforts will receive new support through the Volunteers in Police Service http://www.policevolunteers.org/ (VIPS).  VIPS draws on the time and considerable talents of civilian volunteers and allows law enforcement professionals to better perform their frontline duties.

The VIPS Program offers the following resources:

• An online directory of existing law enforcement volunteer programs that potential volunteers can search to connect with a program in their community.
• Volunteer Programs: Enhancing Public Safety by Leveraging Resources - a resource guide to assist in the implementation or enhancement of an agency volunteer program.
• An online library of sample documents and forms.
• A model policy.
• Regional training and networking opportunities.
• Technical assistance.
• VIPS Info , a monthly electronic newsletter
• VIPS in Focus publication series.
• Educational videos.
• A discussion group for registered VIPS Programs to share information and ideas.

The Program will provide resources to assist local law enforcement officials by incorporating community volunteers into the activities of the law enforcement agency, including a series of best practices to help state and local law enforcement design strategies to recruit, train, and utilize citizen volunteers in their departments.