Volunteer Programs

MISSION
The purpose of the Visalia Citizens Police Academy is to enhance police & community relationships by inviting the community to partner with the staff of the Visalia Police Department. This academy is designed to give interested members of the community an overview of what police work is really like. 

Participants will receive classroom training that varies from gang education to citation writing. Participants will also observe firsthand SWAT and canine exercises, along with hands-on experience of lifting fingerprints to the use of specialized surveillance equipment. Other topics include police ethics, discipline policy and philosophy, communications, drug enforcement and education, criminal and traffic law. Each member of the class will be invited to ride along with a police officer during a tour of duty.

For those interested in being eligible to be a "Volunteer in Police Service" (VIPS) at the end of the ten weeks, successful completion of the Citizen's Police Academy is as a mandatory prerequisite. All instruction is conducted in-house by members of the Visalia Police Department.

Upon successful completion of this course and a background investigation, participants have the option to be sworn in as a VIPS, ready to assist in essential non-hazardous duties. Some of these duties will include administrative and office functions and field operations such as community events, parades, traffic control, and DUI checkpoints.

The staff of the Visalia Police Department believes the success of Crime Prevention and detection lies primarily with a strong relationship and partnership with our community. Together we can accomplish much!

For more information, please contact the Community Outreach Coordinator at 559-713-4147 and download the application in the link below:

SCOV_19050110150 (visalia.city)