VIPS www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org Volunteers in Police Service - Enhancing Public Safety Through Citizen Involvement Origin of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program VIPS Goals and Objectives VIPS - Brookings, OR National Organization Origin of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program President George W. Bush created USA Freedom Corps (USAFC) to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11. When he announced USAFC in his 2002 State of the Union address, he called on all Americans to serve a cause greater than themselves. As a White House office, USAFC is charged with building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. USAFC promotes and expands volunteer service in America by partnering with national service programs, working to strengthen the nonprofit sector, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer opportunities. Citizen Corps, a vital component of USAFC, was created to help coordinate volunteer activities to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps partner programs build on the successful efforts in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) is one of five Citizen Corps partner programs. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) manages and implements the VIPS Program in partnership with, and on behalf of, the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. VIPS Goals and Objectives The VIPS Program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a community law enforcement agency. The program’s ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers . Through this program, the VIPS staff seeks to learn about promising practices being used in existing VIPS programs and share this information with law enforcement agencies that want to expand their programs, increase the use of volunteers in existing programs, help citizens learn about and become involved in VIPS programs in their communities, and help agencies without volunteer programs get them started. VIPS - Brookings, OR Program Description The Brookings Volunteers In Police Service program is a vital community service organization formed by the Brookings Police Department in 1995. It's the only program of its kind in Curry County. Citizen volunteers donate their time and energy to make our community a safe place to live. Our volunteers participate in neighborhood patrols, vacation checks, office work, traffic control, crime scene security, security for special functions and other security details for local businesses. The Brookings' VIPS have formed a partnership with our school district and took on the responsibility of training our crossing guards. Our VIPS train our youth in personal and traffic safety by conducting a "Safety City" program for children entering kindergarten. Part of the Safety City program is the VIPS presentation of the Eddie Eagle instruction on gun safety. Brookings VIPS are able to participate in various training activates, such as CPR and basic first aid. Although many of our VIPS are retired, our program is open to anyone who has reached their 18th birthday. Our VIPS attend monthly meetings and Department functions. Categories Citizen Patrol Neighborhood Watch Traffic control Place radar-board where needed Traffic speed surveys Crime scene security Schools and "Safety City" Program Date established: January 1995 Number of volunteers: 10 Volunteer Web site: www.brookings.or.us/police%20department/reserve%20and%20vips.htm Want to know more, stop by the Police Department and pick up an application: Volunteers in Police Service, Brookings Police Department, 898 Elk Drive, Brookings, OR 97415, 541.469.3118 x 2256 National Organization: International Association of Chiefs of Police, 515 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 or 800-THE-IACP (843-4227) or E-Mail or www.policevolunteers.org You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to the arrest or indictment of a felon. Call Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-888-974-0000 or (541) 412-0989. Think about it! ©2007-2011, www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org/brookings/vips.html