Volunteer citizens on patrol (V-COP)

In January of 1995, the Palm Bay Police Department brought on board approximately twenty volunteers to assist our busy staff.  Most of these volunteers supported our Technical Services and clerical staff.  Over the next eight months, as the volunteers provided help to those areas, it became apparent that these individuals possessed talents and skills that were valuable to us.  These qualities soon manifested into their desire to provide more services.  They also wanted to be more active in their community.

Several meetings with the volunteers brought forth an idea of a pro-active Neighborhood Watch – citizen eyes and ears for the Police Department.

After much research and a carefully planned Senior Staff presentation of their concept, the Volunteer Citizen Observer Program was implemented, and

“V-COPs” was born in February 1996.

Over the next eleven years this organization grew into a strong volunteer force, providing support to almost every area of the Police Department.  The citizens of Palm Bay have benefited greatly from the neighborhood patrols and associated services.

Today, we have trained volunteers serving in many areas of law enforcement, including but not limited to working the front desk located in the lobby of the Police Department, providing department tours, assisting citizens with vacation house watches, fingerprinting for non-criminal applicants, conducting road patrol, signing up citizens for the Combat Auto Theft Program (CAT), working with victims of crime, and providing crime scene assistance. 

In addition, V-COP Jerry D'Auteuil is available to assist anyone who is interested in a Security Freeze, which is a notice placed in a consumer report that prohibits a consumer reporting agency, such as a credit bureau, from releasing the consumer report, credit score, or any information contained within the consumer report to a third party without the express authorization of the consumer. 

Further information about the Volunteer Citizen Observer Program may be obtained by calling (321) 953-8989 or by responding in person to the Police Department’s front lobby at 130 Malabar Road SE, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (holidays excluded).

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