Cocoa Police Seeking Volunteers to Work Alongside Police Officers and Department Personnel

volunteers assist with neighborhood patrols, special events, business patrols and community outreach

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The Cocoa Police Department is searching for a few good citizens to volunteer their time and talent to help us achieve our mission of serving the community.

Our volunteers work alongside police officers and department personnel in all areas, including neighborhood patrols, special events, business patrols, community outreach, and more.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BE A VCOP

The Cocoa Police Department is an Excelsior Accredited Law Enforcement Agency through the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation.

The agency has been accredited since 2006, meeting the highest professional standards in law enforcement.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police also recognizes it for modeling the 25 best practices of 21st-century policing.

The Guardians of Cocoa

Cocoa’s history dates back to the 1800s. It has seen booms, downturns, and rebirths, and the Cocoa Police Department has stood as its guardian through it all.

The Cocoa Police Department was officially formed in the early 1900s when the town was just a sleepy riverside settlement. In those days, law enforcement was more about settling bar fights and protecting citrus groves from thieves than handling high-tech crime. A single sheriff and a handful of deputies patrolled on horseback, dealing with disputes in a time when the nearest judge was miles away.

As Cocoa grew—especially with the arrival of the Kennedy Space Center in the 1960s—the CPD evolved alongside it. The city’s population swelled, bringing new challenges. With tourists, scientists, and space industry workers came an increase in crime, and Cocoa was no longer just a quiet town; it was a place of opportunity and risk.

By the late 20th century, Cocoa faced the same struggles as many American cities—drug-related crime, gang activity, and the social struggles of a rapidly changing economy. The 1990s and early 2000s saw CPD working tirelessly to combat rising crime, particularly related to narcotics. Officers faced off against organized crime elements drawn to Florida’s ports, and street-level crime that impacted Cocoa’s neighborhoods.

Yet, amid the struggles, CPD became known for its community engagement. Officers weren’t just enforcers of the law—they were members of the town, showing up at high school football games, mentoring youth, and building trust in neighborhoods that once saw law enforcement as an opposing force.

With the rise of technology, Cocoa’s police force adapted. By the 2010s, body cameras became standard, crime-mapping software helped predict criminal hotspots, and social media allowed the department to connect with residents instantly.

The CPD also embraced specialized units, including:

■ K-9 Units trained for drug detection and search-and-rescue missions.

■ Marine Patrol ensuring the safety of boaters on the Indian River.

■ SWAT Team handling high-risk operations.

■ Community Policing Officers who worked directly with at-risk youth to prevent crime before it happened.

One defining moment in CPD’s recent history came during Hurricane Irma in 2017. As the storm battered Cocoa, officers worked around the clock, rescuing stranded residents, preventing looting, and ensuring the city held together in the face of disaster. It was a stark reminder that CPD’s job wasn’t just about fighting crime—it was about protecting Cocoa, no matter the threat.

Today, CPD faces new challenges—rising concerns over cybersecurity, mental health crises, and maintaining public trust in a time when law enforcement nationwide is under scrutiny. The department continues to evolve, balancing the need for public safety with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and community partnerships.

Despite being a relatively small force, the Cocoa Police Department holds its own, ensuring that Cocoa remains a safe place to live, work, and visit. Whether responding to a crime, assisting during a natural disaster, or just having coffee with a concerned citizen, the Cocoa Police Department remains an integral part of the city’s heart and soul.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING COCOA POLICE

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