NCJ Number
155892
Date Published
1994
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of research among a random sample of municipal police departments and county sheriffs' offices across the United States to explore the incidence of and reaction to use of volunteers in the agencies, particularly older volunteers.
Abstract
In January 1994 a total of 1,030 telephone interviews were conducted among individuals from municipal police agencies and county sheriffs' offices. In agencies that had volunteer programs, interviews were conducted with individuals who supervised volunteers. The sample was heavily weighted toward small towns. Slightly more than 1 in 10 police agencies used volunteers. Of all agencies surveyed, 13 percent used volunteers in their agencies. Counties were slightly more likely to have volunteers; 13 percent of respondents from cities and 15 percent from counties had volunteers. The mean number of volunteers working in all agencies was 29. The mean number of volunteers over age 50 working in all police agencies was eight. The mean number of volunteers over 65 was five. Approximately 3 of 10 agencies not currently using volunteers said they had a volunteer program at one time. Volunteer programs were most likely to be supervised by administrative officers and police chiefs, housed in agencies that have a larger number of staff members, and more likely to be in agencies that have civilians working in them. Volunteer programs that involve older volunteers had a higher number of sworn officers and a slightly higher number of volunteers than those who did not use older volunteers. Most respondents started volunteer programs because they needed help. The next reasons most often given for starting a volunteer program were budget cutbacks and constraints and requests from organizations or individuals to start programs. Three-quarters of volunteer programs use volunteers for clerical work. Approximately 58 percent used them for program support, 51 percent for administration and general office assistance, and 37 percent as receptionists. Only 15 percent of respondents used volunteers for program management or supervision. Recommendations are presented for encouraging the use of volunteers in police agencies, with particular attention to involving older adults.