NCJ Number
122541
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 37 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1989) Pages: 97-101
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The volunteer program at the Palo Alto Police Department (California) has maintained its high level of services despite the pressures of cost-containment and continuing demands for more services.
Abstract
The paid professionals at the Palo Alto Police Department are augmented by a corps of volunteers who handle just about every aspect of police support. One of its most important volunteer programs is TIP -- translators and interpreters program. Through this program, 18 volunteers are on call to translate a conversation or a document in a foreign language into English. Volunteers set up photo line-ups, wash and service police cars, work in the police department lab, keep track of drug-testing kits, go to meetings to discuss crime prevention, and visit homes to conduct residential security inspection. They provide an important link in establishing unity and interaction between the community and the police department and play a major role in enhancing the quality of service. The key to a strong volunteer program is to have a paid coordinator to assure the success of recruitment, administration, and recognition for volunteers.