Since September 11, 2001, the demands on state and local law enforcement
have increased dramatically. As a result, already limited resources are
being stretched further at a time when our country needs every available
officer out on the beat. Some local police departments are turning to
civilian
volunteers to supplement their sworn force. These vital efforts will
receive new support through the Volunteers in Police Service Program
(VIPS). VIPS
draws on the time and considerable talents of civilian volunteers and
allows law enforcement professionals to better perform their frontline
duties.
The Program will provide resources to assist local law enforcement
officials by incorporating community volunteers into the activities of
the law
enforcement agency, including a series of best practices to help state
and local law enforcement design strategies to recruit, train, and
utilize
citizen volunteers in their departments.