The Eugene Police Department's Volunteers in Policing Program partners citizens and police in support of our crime prevention and community policing efforts. As a Eugene Police volunteer, you will have a front-row seat for behind-the- scenes operations of law enforcement. We recruit a wide range of 
volunteers, including retirees, employed people, Citizens’ Police Academy graduates and students. We are able to accommodate practicums, internships and cooperative work experience placements. We recruit people at all levels of income, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Our volunteers are important to us. When citizens who receive police services are helping to design, prioritize, and even deliver services, a closer connection is made between the Police Department and the public. This is what community policing is all about.
Why should I volunteer?
People volunteer for a range of reasons. Training and career experience is a strong motivation for young people, while older volunteers might want to develop new skills or gain experience for a career change. Many volunteers simply want to make a difference in improving our community.
What do police volunteers do?
Volunteers assist the Eugene Police Department in many capacities. By involving volunteers at EPD, we are able to maximize our existing resources. The delivery of services to the community is improved with the support of volunteers. Examples of services volunteers provide include home vacation checks, greeting customers at neighborhood substations, serialized and valuable property identification, staffing outreach booths, filing, bicycle registrations, theft from vehicle prevention, shuttling police vehicles to mechanics, transcribing tip line calls, serving as role players for team training scenarios, disabled parking enforcement and graffiti abatement. A wide variety of existing volunteer opportunities are described in the list at right — click on the position names to learn more. If you were looking for a particular opportunity, and didn't find it, let us know. Many of our volunteer positions were created because a volunteer had a particular interest or talent they were willing to share. Please tell us about your interests, skills, and talents when you apply.
How many volunteers serve with the Eugene Police Department?
In 2009, 101 volunteers contributed 22,756.34 hours of service to the department and community with an added value of $460,815.88. The national average hourly value of volunteer time is developed by the Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org) and is currently $20.25.
Minimum requirements for becoming a volunteer
· You must be able to pass a background check. The background check includes a criminal history check and reference checks (both employment and social).
· You must have a commitment to comply with confidentiality requirements and police policies.
· You must be supportive of the Eugene Police Department and comfortable working within a police environment which sometimes involves people-related emergencies and crisis conflict management.
· Some assignments require volunteers to be 18 years of age or older, other assignments require volunteers to be retired. There are a few positions for students age 16+.
· Most assignments require a minimum commitment of one 3-4 hour shift per week for three months of service.
Process for becoming a Eugene Police volunteer
The volunteer placement process includes an application, interview, background check and orientation. If you are interested in applying for a volunteer position or would like more information, contact the Volunteers In Policing Program Manager, Carrie Chouinard, at (541) 682-5355 or Carrie.f.chouinard@ci.eugene.or.us.
Quotes from volunteers and employees about the Volunteers in Policing Program
"I first found out about the Volunteers in Policing program through the Eugene Police Website. I was impressed with the organization and the many varied types of programs available to volunteers. The one area of volunteer work that first struck me was the“Huckleberry Patrol.” This program allows volunteers to go out in pairs and document, photograph and then clean or paint over graffiti in the midtown area. I decided to stop complaining about my “pet peeve” and actually do something about it. Here was the opportunity to make a difference. I am filled with a great sense of accomplishment as I notice how the members of our team have made a difference in the amount of graffiti around town. It proves even small things like this really can make a difference in our community."
--Volunteer Bob Walker
"The Eugene Police volunteers continue to support our community in a variety of meaningful ways. In these times of fiscal constraint, volunteers step up and help us to provide support services that would otherwise not be provided. We are extremely grateful to these citizens who are willing to donate their most valuable commodity, time, to our community."
--Captain Steve Swenson
"Volunteers keep the sub-stations running. Without the help of volunteers at the front desk we could not provide the superb level of customer service citizens of Eugene now receive. Monroe Street Station staff get the side reward of working alongside kind, caring, hardworking, talented, selfless, dedicated people. I can never say thank you enough."
--Monroe Street Station Manager Lupe Thompson
"I have found every one of these volunteers I contact are truly wonderful people. They are great to share a story with, telling and listening. They are a true asset to our department and have saved me countless hours of vehicle maintenance. Each has been helpful in resolving equipment deficiencies and problems I have encountered. I have never seen one of those guys with anything but a smile on their face and a kind word to share. I have enjoyed their company and am glad they are here."
--Police Officer Dale Dawson
"The reason I signed on with the Volunteers in Policing Program was because it seemed like an experience I thought I would like to try. I have never wanted to be a police officer but I have always admired and respected the job that they do. I have, however, always have been a "mechanic wannabe." To work on cars was something I thought would be enjoyable for four hours a week I was both excited about the experience and a little bit apprehensive because of the one year commitment requirement. Now looking back, it is hard to believe that four years have passed. I have made a lot of new friends in the Police Department and with our crew members. I have learned computer skills that I probably would not have picked up if I had not volunteered. I have enjoyed using my mind to help improve our Squad Car Maintenance Team to what it is today. I have enjoyed using my leadership skills to help make our program an asset to the Police Department. Hopefully, we make the sworn officers' jobs a little bit easier. I think all of our members take a lot of pride in the job we do. If I thought I was just "putting in my time" or if I thought I just like to drive a cop car, I wouldn't do this job. I think we have become an essential part of the department and the City of Eugene would have a hard time replacing our crew. Overall, the experience I have had with the VIP Program has kept my mind and body active. I think I would have had a boring four year if I had not volunteered!"
--Volunteer Dan Maxwell
"I started as a volunteer by fulfilling a requirement for my Criminal Justice degree. I was assigned at the Whiteaker Public Safety Station and transitioned to the Monroe Street Station. It has been almost three years and I have found that by volunteering my self confidence has grown. I have been involved with many community outreach programs such as Mano a Mano, Prevention Convention, the Police Activities League, Safety Town, and Special Olympics, and as a volunteer was selected as a supervisor for the Olympic Trials. The rewards are many - I get to work with some of the nicest and dedicated people, getting to know other volunteers, and the best part is getting the "thank you" and smiles back from the community that I serve."
--Volunteer Kim Olson
"Seniors on Patrol volunteers provide valuable service, both to our department and our community. The team has such a diverse background in their previous careers and each member brings such great experience to the job. Some of the tasks that Senior Patrol performs would not be done were it not for them, including vacation checks and random patrol of disabled parking spots. Many on the team volunteer in additional assignments and many provide much more than the minimum hour commitment. When the team is on duty, they provide extra eyes and ears for our Patrol officers and our citizens, making the city just a little safer for all. It's such a great pleasure to work with volunteers who are service minded and give of their time and talents to help in whatever way they can."
--Seniors on Patrol Team Supervisor Debbie Janecek
“People volunteer for many reasons. I think it is incumbent upon all citizens to give back to their communities. With budgets tight, the department needs all the help they can get. It is rewarding to know that at some level you are helping to fill this need and working to keep Eugene safe. I also enjoy being part of a team. Not only have I learned and experienced many things in law enforcement but I have made many friendships. Sometimes I feel that I should be paying to volunteer because I enjoy it so much. Volunteering is an important element to living a satisfying and fulfilling life.”
Volunteer Tony LaMarche (Seniors on Patrol, Public Information Office, Image Retrieval Team)
“I have been volunteering in the Property Control Unit for over five years. I find my experience working with the dedicated people is most rewarding. I am proud to call them my friends. Since retiring, volunteering has given new meaning to my life. I have met a lot of employees and other volunteers and consider them all professionals.”
--Volunteer Rosemary F. Dyke
“I volunteer for the EPD because I know our police department is understaffed and in need of any assistance that I can provide. It gives me the opportunity of assisting our community, and being a part of solutions to problems instead of just complaining of things. From a very personal point of view, it gives me a purpose in my retirement, keeps me active and involved in the community. It allows me to assist my neighbors by providing services that the regular police officers simply do not have the time to do. Finally, it gives my life joy and satisfaction.”
--Volunteer Cliff Flesch (Squad Car Maintenance Team and Seniors on Patrol Team)
“I enjoy knowing that--occasionally, at least--information I enter into various data bases helps detectives track down and/or apprehend some of the criminals in our city.”
Volunteer Frances Powell (Crime Analysis Unit and Property Control Unit)
“Before I starting working as a volunteer with Eugene Police, the officer behind the badge was a nameless face. Now that I have had the opportunity to see the day to day workings behind the scenes. And to have direct contact with the men and women officers in the department, I now realize that the face behind the badge is a warm and considerate person, who is willing to put themselves on the line to protect myself and others in the community. I'm glad I was given the chance to volunteer! It has changed my perception for the better!”
--Volunteer Larry McHenry
