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Volunteers in Police Service (VIPs)

Law enforcement volunteers are a valuable asset to the police departments they assist. Although volunteers do not work alongside or substitute for officers or salaried employees, they free up critical staff time by performing support functions. Duties typically include:

• community outreach
• telephone work
• research
• policy review
• technology / IS support
• administrative tasks and other appropriate non-enforcement activities

Many law enforcement agencies administer special community volunteer programs such as Police Explorers, the Auxiliary Police Program, the Citizens' Police Academy and the Ride-Along Program. These opportunities often require a background investigation (the extent of which varies with the type of volunteer work involved).

For the latest information, visit the national program Web site at www.policevolunteers.org.