Sheriff seeks Volunteers in Patrol

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as Volunteers in Patrol.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as Volunteers in Patrol.

They would join a group of individuals who volunteer their time to run errands, check on properties and perform other duties that do not require a sworn officer.

The VIPS serve as extra eyes and ears in the community, Sheriff Boudreaux said. They deter crime just by their uniformed presence in the community.

“We don’t know how many times someone was about to do something criminal and changed his mind because a VIP was on patrol in the county,” he said. “I appreciate their hard work.”

In addition to checking on vacation property and schools, VIPS reach out to the community, paint over graffiti, monitor Project Lifesaver, transport patrol cars, reach out to youth, assist children with court appearances, run errands and help with search and rescue, parades and traffic control.

Typically, VIPS volunteer through a substation near them. They have an elected board and attend monthly meetings under the supervision of TCSO patrol lieutenants.

Each new VIP attends a 40-hour VIP Academy which is held on Saturdays. They also go through a background check before they can become a volunteer.

The Sheriff’s Office relies heavily on volunteers, Sheriff Boudreaux said.

“Anyone who wants to volunteer would serve as a vital function to the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.

To be become a Volunteer in Patrol a two-page application is available online at www.tularecounty.ca.gov/…/vol…/volunteer-application/.