Palm Bay Police Department Actively Recruiting ‘VCOP’ Volunteers, Program Now in its 30th Year

volunteer candidates must pass background check

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay Police Department officials are recruiting applicants for the VCOP program, which assists officers with road patrols, including traffic control, house checks, parking enforcement, minor vehicle crashes, and other patrol-related functions.

There are also opportunities to assist with clerical work, lobby reception, fingerprinting, logistical support for crime scenes, assistance with code enforcement, and other community relations functions.

To become an active volunteer, candidates must pass a background check (including fingerprints), possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 19 years old, and be able to contribute a minimum of 16 hours per month.

Anyone interested should visit the Palm Bay Police Department at 130 Malabar Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for a brief screening and to pick up an application. For more information, call 321-953-8987

Volunteers Have Many Talents and Expertise

Going into its 30th year, the V-cop program was formed in early 1995, when a handful of volunteers were brought together to brainstorm the idea of creating a volunteer organization.

“During this time, it was obvious that volunteers have many talents and expertise that could be applied to different areas of the Department,” said a Palm Bay Police official.

The small volunteer group met with Senior Staff and proposed a more proactive citizen “Eyes and Ears” concept for the Unit.

This meeting resulted in the formulation of the Volunteer Citizen Observer Program being formally implemented into the Palm Bay Police Department, and the “VCOP” was officially born in February 1996.

Over the years, the program has grown into a strong volunteer force essential to the department’s day-to-day operations.

“To date, over 75 active members provide services to not only all divisions within the police department but also to the City of Palm Bay and many other community agencies,” said a Palm Bay Police official.

“Moving forward, the volunteers will be utilized throughout all departments/divisions within the Police Department and, in addition, will respond to assisting other cities upon their request.”

Volunteer responsibilities include staffing the front desk located in the Department lobby, fingerprinting, road patrol, distribution of crime bulletins/flyers, crime victim call back, traffic control assistance, minor crash investigations, parking enforcement, victim advocacy, data entry, courier service, 24-hour call outs, report writing, processing found property, special event assistance, residential vacation house checks, provide relief and assistance during/after natural disasters, placement and recovery of the speed radar trailer, tagging and removal of abandoned and illegally parked vehicles, provide administrative support and many additional support and proactive activities as requests come in.

Information about the Volunteer Citizen Observer Program may be obtained by calling 321-953-8987 or by responding in person to the Police Department’s front lobby Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

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