Volunteerism - A Police Department's Response to Changing Times

• NCJ Number: 80996
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 16-21
• Author(s): M B Taylor
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The philosophy and nature of the volunteer program established by the police department in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1974 are described.

Abstract

The program was established as an alternative to the frustration of both the police department and the surrounding community over increasing crime rates and decreasing resources for law enforcement agencies. The program was based on the belief that volunteers' exposure to daily police activity would promote realistic perspectives of the law enforcement system and a resulting positive regard for the police agency and its personnel. Volunteers tend to be serious citizen advocates who provide the agency with many support services that extend and enrich the delivery system. The 100 volunteers range from 18 to 80 years old and include all socioeconomic, racial, religious, and educational groups. Some are handicapped and disabled. In 1980, volunteers donated over 12,000 hours, which equaled about $100,000 in services and over 5 full-time positions. A full-time paid volunteer services coordinator oversees the volunteer program. Volunteers assist in scheduling of police officers, work in the area of victim assistance, provide clerical assistance, edit the weekly warrant information newsletter, provide statistical data, and perform any other tasks. Written job descriptions are provided for each position. Selective recruitment is used rather than general solicitations. The screening, interviewing, and placement process is the next crucial step in volunteer management. Training experiences include orientation, preservice training, and inservice training. Staff are also trained to develop a positive agency attitude and support of volunteers. Evaluation of both the volunteer's performance and the appropriateness of the assignment occurs periodically. Agencies should recognize that costs are incurred in developing a volunteer program, but that these programs are ultimately cost-effective. Four footnotes are provided.