Sheriff's Department offers annual program for local adults

By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review

For those looking to get a taste of what it’s like to work in a law enforcement environment, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department's Apple Valley Station offers an annual Citizen Volunteer Academy that is open to anyone in community over the age of 18.

Its next training session will begin on Jan. 11, but the deadline to apply is Oct. 1.

According to Trish Hill, public and media relations officer for the Sheriff’s Department, applicants must pass an oral interview and background investigation before being admitted into the Academy’s week-long school.

Once there, volunteers will learn about penal codes, radio techniques, driving practicals, traffic control, citations, civil liabilities, CPR/first aid and other areas of law enforcement pertaining to their duties. They will graduate as Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteers.

“We have about 36 active COP volunteers ranging from 18 all the way up people in their 80s,” said Hill, who also is coordinator of the COP program. “Being a part of this gives them a sense of community, as well as an opportunity to give back.

“Some of our younger people are looking to go into law enforcement careers and this is a way for them to get their feet wet. And our retirees find it to be an exciting thing to be involved in.”

Hill said the COP program has been in operation since the early 1980s. COP volunteers are equipped to do everything from checking bags at concerts and helping with Neighborhood Watch campaigns to taking patrol cars to be serviced by mechanics. They also work at air shows, parades and other community events.

“We see the COP volunteers as the eyes and ears of the police department,” said Hill. “And they do many things that wouldn’t get done if our department had to pay for them. We just don’t have the budget to hire people to perform all the services we need.”

According to Hill, COP members must agree to volunteer eight hours per month and attend one monthly mandatory meeting. She said they are permitted to pick and choose where and how they would like to volunteer.

Throughout the year, the Sheriff’s Department shows appreciation to its COP volunteers by holding barbecues, holiday parties and other fun events. Every January, the department recognizes them for their service in a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

For more information, call 760-240-7428.

— L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.