LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Volunteers on Patrol
Making Bellflower Better
1 Volunteer Mission Statement
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Civilian Volunteers are dedicated to providing excellent service through relationships that build trust, create a safe environment, and enhance the quality of life in our communities with a “Tradition of Service.”
2 To be proud representatives of the community by being highly visible while on patrol. The primary objectives for the members shall be to prevent crime by mere presence, or identify public hazards. Members shall also act as the eyes and ears of the Sheriff’s Department by identifying suspicious activities, crimes in progress, or dangerous circumstances. The members shall not take action themselves, but shall notify the proper authorities for handling.
VOP Program Principles
3 VOP RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteers on Patrol are community-spirited citizens of the community who provide a minimum of 10 hours of their time per month to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department performing non-hazardous patrol duties. It’s participants are made up of working people, retirees, and men of women of all races with varied backgrounds.
Volunteers on Patrol can be identified by their white shirt, navy blue trousers and gold on blue shoulder patch. Volunteers patrol in white vehicles identified as “Volunteers on Patrol” and bear the LASD emblem.
The Volunteers on Patrol have various responsibilities, primarily non-hazardous duties, which have traditionally been performed by patrol deputies. This program; therefore, allows patrol deputies to perform the more hazardous duties that they have been trained to do, thus helping the Department to better achieve its goal of serving the community.
4 Volunteers on Patrol Duties
ARSON WATCH
ASSIST AT SOBRIETY CHECK POINTS
ASSIST DISABLED PERSONS
BIKE TRAIL PATROL CHECKS
BUSINESS SAFETY CHECKS
CONDUCT PARK SAFETY CHECKS
CONDUCT SCHOOL SAFETY CHECKS
NON-HAZARDOUS DIRECTED PATROL ASSIGNMENTS
PATROL COMMUNITY FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
PATROL COMMUNITY FOR SAFETY HAZARDS
PATROL FOR GRAFFITI AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
REQUESTS FROM CITY/COUNTY SERVICES
RESIDENTIAL VACATION CHECKS
SEARCH FOR MISSING CHILDREN
SPECIAL EVENTS
TRAFFIC CONTROL WHEN NEEDED
5 INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VOP?
You just need a few things to get the process started:
MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER
MUST LIVE OR WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
SUBMIT TO A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
VOLUNTEER A MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS PER MONTH
VOPs attend a 10-week academy training. Some of the training will include:
TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING
CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING
RADIO TRAINING
SCENARIO TRAINING
DEFENSIVE DRIVERS TRAINING
6 Another Incentive just for Bellflower Residents…
The Bellflower City Council has approved funding to reimburse Bellflower residents for the cost of their volunteer on patrol uniforms. . . .so joining the VOPs won’t cost you any money. . . just a little time!
7 Lakewood Station
Volunteer Program
Help Make our Community a Better Place,
BE A CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER
If you are interested in volunteering in Bellflower,
please e-mail [email protected].
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