One of the Citizen Corps programs is the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) manages and implements the VIPS Program in partnership with and on behalf of the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps and the Bureau of Justice assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. The program's goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.

The foundation of this national initiative to help state and local law enforcement agencies is www.policevolunteers.org. The website serves as a gateway to information law enforcement agencies and citizens interested in law enforcement volunteer programs.

The VIPS program offers the following resources:

• An online directory of existing law enforcement volunteer programs that potential volunteers can search to connect with a program in their community.
• Volunteer Programs: Enhancing Public Safety by Leveraging Resources - a resource guide to assist in the implementation or enhancement of an agency volunteer program.
• An online library of sample documents and forms.
• A model policy.
• Regional training and networking opportunities.
• Technical assistance.
• VIPS Info, a monthly electronic newsletter
• VIPS in Focus publication series.
• Educational videos.
• A discussion group for registered VIPS programs to share information and ideas.

For additional information regarding the VIPS program, please refer to the links below:

Download the VIPS Brochure

Volunteers in Police Service Website: www.policevolunteers.org

Volunteer Today: Local VIPS Contact Information