Civilian volunteers needed to work limited police duties
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008  |
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| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| Volunteer Officer Bob Larche, standing, goes over details of report with Sgt. Andy Hill, a Volunteers In Policing coordinator. |
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LARGO – The police department’s Volunteers In Policing or V.I.P. program is looking for community-minded people who are willing to put on a uniform and work in various aspects of local law enforcement.
Lt. Mike Loux, the department’s public information officer, said two introductionary classes were held earlier this week, but anyone who still desires to become a volunteer can still enroll in the orientation classes that begin at still an undetermined date in June.
Just over 23 volunteers currently are assigned to administrative and limited patrol duties, but the department wants to increase that number to about 63.
“Volunteers are one of the police department’s greatest resources,” Loux said. “Community policing would be nearly impossible without their dedicated assistance.”
Headed by regular police Sgt. Andy Hill and volunteer Tripoli, the program was launched 10 years ago. Candidates undergo 66 hours of classroom instructions followed by field training with seasoned volunteer officers.
“Volunteers work in all areas of law enforcement,” Loux said. “But we do not put them in positions of danger.”
The volunteers assist in such areas as clerical support, fleet maintenance and front desk assistance. They conduct safety programs, fingerprint children at events for identification purposes and even act as tour guides.
Although not sworn police officers, volunteers do participate in limited patrol work at shopping centers, schools and neighborhoods. They check on homes whose owners are on vacation, impound found bicycles, assist with traffic safety, report on signs and roads that need repair and handle a variety of other responsibilities.
Hill, meanwhile, points out that the civilian volunteers free regular police officers up to perform other duties.
Bob Larche, a snowbird from Ottawa, Canada, joined the group in October 1999. He lives here part of the year and in Canada the rest of the time. In summer he even flies down to volunteer his services.
Interested persons should call the V.I.P. office at 587-6739 during normal business hours.
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Article published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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