Carlsbad CA— The City of Carlsbad Police Department is actively recruiting participants for the 2016 Senior Volunteer Patrol Academy. The academy is scheduled for March.
Senior volunteer patrol members are 50 years and older. The patrol supports the Police Department by increasing law enforcement services to the community. Volunteer patrol functions include:

• Neighborhood patrols
• Traffic control
• Mobile Police Command Post operation
• Handicapped violation enforcement
• Safety Center tours
• Visits and calls to housebound seniors (YANA)
• Community presentations
• Assistance at special events

To begin, volunteer patrol members attend a two-week academy. During the academy participants receive training in traffic control, safety, first aid and CPR, ethics, radio communications, traffic citations, crime prevention and hands-on driving safety. Once training in complete, members are issued uniforms and all other necessary equipment.
It all began in 1996 when 16 senior Carlsbad community members graduated from the first Volunteer Patrol Academy. Currently, the 37-member patrol ranges in age from 55-years to 86-years-old. Each patrol member contributes a minimum of 24 hours per month.
“Being a member of the Senior Volunteer Patrol is a rewarding experience that helps to keep seniors active and engaged while giving back to the community,” says Senior Volunteer Patrol Captain Don Whisnant.
“The Senior Volunteer Patrol contributes over 16,000 hours each year to the community of Carlsbad,” notes Sergeant Travis Lambert, SVP program coordinator. “They are an invaluable resource to the Police Department and the community of Carlsbad.”
To learn more about the patrol and academy call 760-931-2214 or go to http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/police/programs/volunteers.asp. Applications for the March 2016 academy are due by Dec. 31, 2015.