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

The agency said its volunteers 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.  

Some of them are former peace officers and bring their law enforcement experience into the program, others came to them because they wanted to learn and participate in something new.

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

VIPs currently do office work, assist in the evidence room, deliver subpoenas, give handicapped parking tickets, staff booths and direct traffic at community events and patrol both business and residential sections of the city at all hours of the day and night.  

Clearlake Police's future plans involve activities such as Neighborhood Watch, property identification and other crime prevention programs.

Applications are available at the Clearlake Police Department, located at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Contact Nicki Burrell at 707-994-8251, Extension 308, if you have any questions.