CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is seeking community members interested in joining its Volunteers in Policing – or VIPS – program.

VIPS members come from a variety of backgrounds, but their common goal is to represent the Clearlake community and help improve the quality of life for everyone here, the agency said.

Some of the volunteers are former peace officers and bring their law enforcement experience into the program, others came to the work as private citizens because they wanted to learn and participate in something new, according to the Clearlake Police Department.

Volunteers do not replace paid employees, they supplement them. The Clearlake Police Department said its volunteers perform tasks that would otherwise take police officers and dispatchers from their primary job of protecting the public and enforcing the law.  They provide extra eyes and ears in the community, expanding police presence.

VIPS members currently do office work, assist in the property room, deliver subpoenas, issue handicapped parking citations, staff booths, direct traffic at community events and provide extra patrol in both the business and residential sections of the city at all hours of the day and night, police reported.

Future plans that the Clearlake Police Department has for its VIPS involve activities such as Neighborhood Watch, property ID and other crime prevention programs.

If you are interested in becoming a VIP, come by the Clearlake Police Department at 14050 Olympic Drive and pick up an application, or contact Nicki Burrell at 707-994-8251, Extension 308.