Redlands Police Seek Applicants for Citizen Volunteer Academy in January

Redlands police are seeking applicants for the next Citizen Volunteer Academy beginning in January, a city spokesman announced this week.

The nine-week academy trains volunteers in citation writing, radio procedure, crime scene management, report writing, traffic control, patrol vehicle driving, Emergency Operations Center protocol and other areas, according to Redlands spokesman Carl Baker.

"Participants receive an additional 32 hours of training in the field by experienced CVP Field Training Officers before they are ready for the full range of CVP duties," Baker said.

The first CVP Academy Class graduated in May 1991, Baker said.

"The Citizen Volunteer Patrol was founded as a highly visible, uniformed, unarmed, 'eyes and ears' volunteer patrol force comprised largely of retired community members seeking an opportunity to assist their local police department in making the streets of the community a safer place," Baker said.

The unit has more than 75 members. Membership is open to community members who have special physical needs which might preclude field duties.

In January 2008, Redlands police added a new volunteer component - the Citizen Volunteer Park Rangers.

"CVPRs assist the Police Department in making City parks and orange groves, the Santa Ana River Wash and San Timoteo Canyon safer places for the community's use," Baker said.

"CVPRs patrol on horseback, ATVs, Segways, mountain bikes and on foot.  CVPRs are on the lookout for illegal activities in the patrol areas, including the use of alcohol, smoking in the parks, after-hours activities in the parks, significant trash accumulations and signs of suspicious activities."

Interviews for the Citizen Volunteer Academy will be held beginning in November, Baker said.

Applications are available at http://cityofredlands.org/police/volunteers. Applications may also be downloaded at http://cityofredlands.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/police/CV%20Application%202012.pdf.

For more information on volunteering with the Redlands Police Department, contact volunteer Brad Billings at (909) 844-5650 or by email at bbillings@redlandspolice.org.

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