Oceanside CA– The City of Carlsbad Police Department is actively recruiting participants for the next Senior Volunteer Patrol Academy. The academy is scheduled for February of 2015.
Senior volunteer patrol members are 55 years and older and contribute to the Police Department by helping to reduce crime and increase law enforcement services to the community. Volunteer patrol functions include:
- Neighborhood patrols
- Traffic control
- Handicapped violation enforcement
- Safety Center tours
- Visits and calls to housebound seniors
- 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.
It all began in 1996 when 16 Carlsbad seniors graduated from the first Volunteer Patrol Academy. Today two of those graduates, Mike Whaley and Gerry Clements, act as Lieutenants for the program. Currently, the 31 member patrol ranges in age from 55-years to 85-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 Lieutenant Mike Whaley.
“The Senior Volunteer Patrol contributes over 16,000 hours per year to the community of Carlsbad,” notes Officer Keith Happle SVP program coordinator. “They are an invaluable resource to the Police Department and community.”
To learn more about the patrol and academy call 760-931-2214. Applications for the February 2015 academy are due by Nov. 1, 2014.
For more information on the Carlsbad Senior Volunteer Patrol call;
Mike Whaley, Senior Volunteer Patrol, 760-931-2214 or email to mike.whaley@carlsbadca.gov