VOLUNTEER SERVICES

For many years, our citizens have supported our daily operations by volunteering in various areas of the Agency. Our Volunteer Services Division has grown significantly, with new programs added to meet the current needs of our community and the agency. The Volunteer Services Coordinator oversees over 1,200 volunteers in nearly 40 units including the Aviation Unit, Citizen Observer Patrol (COPS), Community Patrol, Lake Watch, Mounted Unit, Guard House Unit, River Watch, Deputy Reserves, Bailiffs, Chaplains, CERT and MERT teams, Clerical and the Foundation Board. In 2022 volunteers logged 40,588.62 hours, saving the agency and community an estimated 1.2 million dollars, according to the National Points of Light hourly rate.

COPS/Community Patrol

The COPS/ Community Patrol program is intended to serve as additional eyes and ears for the Sheriff and his deputies. It is not intended to replace routine patrol activities of the Sheriff, but to provide the county with additional observation capabilities to reduce crime. The COPS/ Community Patrol program was instituted to restore the security of our neighborhoods, and focus on reducing burglaries and vandalism. This program provides an opportunity for you to take an active role in helping your neighbors and local law enforcement officers keep a watchful eye.

Lake Watch/River Watch

The Lake Watch/ River Watch program was instituted at the request of community residents who expressed their desire to form a citizen’s watch group specifically targeting the needs of the lakes and rivers in Marion County. The program is designed to bring citizens into action by offering necessary training and providing needed equipment.

Bailiffs

Volunteer Bailiff’s monitor the decorum of persons entering the courtroom, assist with the movement of jurors within the Judicial Center, assist the public with directions within the Judicial Center, assist bailiffs in any duty not requiring a sworn officer and be alert for conditions or situations which inhibit efficient operation of the agency.

Chaplains

Volunteer Chaplains are expected to respond to emergency calls as needed by the agency such as multiple vehicle wrecks, or any community trauma where their services are needed.  Chaplains are expected to cooperate, work with, and possibly assist the Crisis Intervention Specialist (C.I.S.) employees as needed in death situations.  Volunteer Chaplains in the Chaplains Corps agree to be on call one week out of the month to Ride-a-Long with a deputy a minimum of four hours in that week.  Chaplains are not limited to riding only in their assigned week or area, and may ride as many times as their schedule permits.  Chaplains are NOT expected to be called on Sundays, or times when there are church services, or during church holiday events.  Chaplains will abide by the “Law Enforcement Code of Ethics”, and maintain endorsement of their church or faith group.

Clerical

Clerical volunteers may perform computer data entry and filing, assist with training exercises, fill in for a receptionist and assist with photography and fingerprinting civilians.

CERT & MERT

The CERT program is designed to train citizens how to prepare and take care of themselves during times of disaster. This program teaches several topics such as fire safety, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, disaster preparedness, search and rescue and more. CERT also establishes and maintains community response teams around the county that help promote preparedness and provide initial disaster response to their specific community. These teams are exposed to additional advanced training to include CPR/AED, Animal Response, & Storm Spotter.

The MERT program is designed to provide communications support to areas such as shelters, healthcare facilities, points of distribution and more during times of disaster. MERT members assist with moving valuable communications between agencies and locations about storm information, resource and needs and requests.

If you are only interested in becoming a CERT/MERT volunteer, click here: