Citizen Volunteer Patrol

The Shasta County Sheriff's Citizen Volunteer Patrol (CVP) program was established in 1996 and is a community-based crime prevention program exercising proactive law enforcement principles. The program is designed to provide supplemental detection and reporting of suspicious persons and activities to the Sheriff's Office. The Citizen Patrol program is composed of civilian volunteers who are residents of Shasta County, who desire to interact with and serve their community and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

Currently there are active CVP's serving in the communities of: Burney, City of Shasta Lake, Cottonwood, Happy Valley, Fall River Mills, Shasta Lake Boat Patrol, and Shingletown, with a combined total of over one hundred volunteers.

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the volunteer Citizen Volunteer Patrol please fill out the application and contact Coordinator Arnie Brinton at (530) 347-5903.

Mission Statement

The CVP personnel will strive to enhance community safety and security through programs of crime prevention and education with active involvement in these efforts.

The program is committed to providing qualified and trained volunteers to augment field operations in serving the need of citizens of the various communities throughout Shasta County.

• Provide a higher level of crime prevention programs to better serve the citizens of Shasta County in a cost-effective manner
• Promote community awareness and acceptance of the Citizen Volunteer Patrol program as a viable and important crime prevention tool
• The Citizen Volunteer Patrol program will be monitored monthly as to its effectiveness in the area of crime prevention and service to the communities serves
• Provide high visibility "eyes & ears" patrol

CVP actively provides a number of services to their communities and support to the Sheriff's Office.

• Patrolling the streets as a high visibility "eyes and ears" for the Sheriff's Office
• Providing business checks
• Providing residential vacation and vacant house checks
• The "Your Are Not Alone" (YANA) program providing welfare contacts for citizens who are elderly, ill or shut-in
• Providing assistance in the event of emergencies
• Provide home and business security inspections for interested citizens
• Provide Business Watch and Neighborhood Watch activities
• Provide crime prevention activities
• Provide clerical support in the main office and the various substations

Qualifications

Although volunteers will not be sworn peace officers and have no authority to act in an enforcement status, there are still qualifications, which will have to be met.

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License
• Must have a good driving record
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
• Must successfully pass a background investigation administered by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office
• Must be of unquestionable character
• Must be able to volunteer at least eight (8) hours per month to the program
• Must be willing to abide by the rules and regulations set forth in the Citizen Volunteer Patrol Mission Statement

Training

• Must successfully complete the Volunteer Training Academy prior to being assigned volunteer duties
• Must complete a ride-a-long with a Deputy Sheriff
• May be required to complete a defensive driving course

Uniforms

The volunteers will be responsible for the purchase of their uniforms.

Equipment & Funding

The Sheriff's Office provides cell phones and surplus patrol vehicles. All other equipment and expenses are the responsibility of the individual patrols.

Restrictions

Patrol members will not carry firearms while on duty. Pepper spray may be carried after an approved training course has been completed.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Citizen Volunteer Patrol please contact Arnie Brinton, Citizen Volunteer Patrol Coordinator at (530) 347-5903 or scsocvp@att.net.