• Job Code: CWCP0
• Pay Grade:NA
• Pay Scale:NA
• Exempt:NA

The Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program (VCPP) partners community members with the Sheriff's Office to improve public safety. Volunteers are specially trained to respond to non-emergency and routine calls for service that do not require law enforcement or regulatory authority. The program aims to reduce crime, make residents safer, improve quality of life in Hillsborough County, and give community members an active role in crime prevention.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties may vary based on assignment.

• Patrol assigned areas to detect and monitor possible criminal activity.
• Patrol neighborhoods and conduct vacation checks on homes while owners are away.
• Document graffiti.
• Monitor suspicious activity at schools.
• Serve as a crossing guard, stopping traffic so children can cross safely.
• Assist motorists with disabled vehicles.
• Assist with road obstructions and traffic direction, including traffic control at accident scenes.
• Conduct traffic surveys.
• Assist with searches for missing children and adults.
• May testify in court as a witness to a crime.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Willingness to learn first-aid and CPR principles.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public, fellow volunteers, and Sheriff's Office personnel.
• Ability to speak clearly, including over a radio.
• Ability to adhere to safety and conduct guidelines.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

Skills

• Crime Prevention

• Traffic Control

• Communication

• Safety Awareness

Working Conditions

• Work outdoors in a subtropical climate, including potentially adverse weather.
• Patrol by vehicle throughout assigned areas of Hillsborough County.
• May stand or sit at a workstation for prolonged periods, walk long distances.
• May engage in light physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 10 pounds).
• Drive or ride in a Sheriff’s Office-issued vehicle for a 4-to-6-hour shift.
• Required to wear a Sheriff’s Office provided uniform.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizen.
• At least 19 years of age.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
• Must not hold an occupation or profession with a potential conflict of interest (e.g., investigative work; other law enforcement or detention agencies).

Additional Program Requirements

• Pass a pre-employment fitness-for-duty evaluation.
• Must take and pass an alcohol/drug screening test.
• Must complete the VCPP Training Academy.
• Have no more than five moving traffic violations within the last three years and no more than eight moving traffic violations in a lifetime.
• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.
• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.
• No felony convictions within lifetime.
• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.
• Not seeking to complete court-ordered or school community service hours.
• Must be willing to attend monthly meetings.
• Must be willing to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per month.