Akin to our nation’s military branches recruiting reservists to supplement active duty
troops collectively ensuring readiness to defend against enemies, law enforcement organizations also bolster their ranks by assembling Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) contingents to help buffer the public safety mission in their respective jurisdictions.
One ideal example of an all-volunteer force of people dedicating gobs of hours of personal time to their local police agency is within the framework of the Port Orange, Florida, police department (POPD), operating with its Support Services Division, with 23 volunteers supervised by a VIP police coordinator.
(Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department.)
According to Port Orange PD VIP unit Lt. Bobby Martin, the cadre has been “very active” performing various duties, equating to a whopping donation of “5778 hours in service.”
“We do house watches, special events, courier duties, call-outs, traffic control, office duties, FDLE [Florida Department of Law Enforcement] runs, fingerprinting, and regular city-wide patrols within the City of Port Orange. We also assist the victims’ advocates in special projects,” said Lt. Martin. How’s that for putting the best foot/feet forward, and dedicating time to serve others?
When I say dedicating…I mean way beyond selflessly giving back to the community. One such example is a Port Orange police VIP named Mary Wittmeyer who celebrated over 40 years with the law enforcement agency on the east coast of Florida.
In April 2023, the POPD administration honored Ms. Wittmeyer by throwing her a 99th Birthday bash…
“The Port Orange Police Department and its VIP Unit held a get-together in order to wish a belated Happy Birthday and huge ‘Thank You’ to Mary Wittmeyer. She is one [among] our Volunteers In Police Services Unit (VIPS). Mary not only turned 99 this past month, but she is also in her 40th year of service as a volunteer with our Department.
“Mary has shown steadfast loyalty during her many years of service that cannot be overlooked. She is the epitome of dedication, hard work, and selflessness. She sets a wonderful example for all others that follow. Thank you, Mary. Your POPD family loves you! We cannot say it enough. Again, happy birthday, and thank you for your many years of service to our community!”
(Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department.)
Port Orange police VIPs conduct a bevy of duties and spend tons of time working among the agency’s sworn and civilian staff assigned to ensure operational efficiency in all its divisions…and they are seeking to add more helpful hands, watchful eyes, and listening ears to the VIP cadre:
“The Port Orange Police Department Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) are looking for volunteers. The Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) fulfill an important support function to the Port Orange Police Department by providing uniformed civilian volunteers to service-related functions such as vacation house watch checks and traffic control at accident scenes and various City functions. They also provide other services such as the distribution of animal traps, bicycle registration programs, and child fingerprinting. Additionally, they provide clerical and courier services for Administrative and Criminal Investigation Divisions.”
With the plethora of duties these selfless time-giving VIPs perform, it is no wonder they are graciously granted deserved recognition for personal investments in their jurisdiction’s public safety covenants.
“The Port Orange VIPS Program has previously received the President’s Volunteer Services Award as well as the Governor’s Point of Light Award in recognition of their commitment to community and volunteer services.”
Needing all the help they can get in trying times, with police recruitment dipping lately, many American law enforcement agencies are fortunate to have VIPs investing their time, performing a range of ancillary yet vital functions, freeing up sworn staff to tackle inherent high-risk challenges posed by violent criminals requiring hands-on mitigation by certified cops with powers of arrest.
No less important, though, are VIPs in any police agency’s arsenal of assets to further the public safety mission. My department heralded every one of our VIP’s skills, talents, and time.
‘Privileged to Assist Our Officers’
On the West Coast of the U.S., the Seal Beach, California, police department is fortunate to have among its staff VIP member Don Murray, who has dedicated over 11,000 hours of his life to the citizens of the city and the men and women who serve its public safety mission.
Via Seal Beach police Sgt. Brian Gray who graciously conveyed a bio touting VIP Murray’s personal and professional achievements, I reviewed the storied life of this cherished police volunteer who, in earlier years, was a Major League Baseball prospect of the Chicago White Sox and Anaheim Angels (formerly the California Angels).
Besides running around the athletic bases, Mr. Murray spent time on US Air Force bases as a jet engine mechanic, with a stint in Japan. He is no stranger to serving others with discipline and pride in workmanship, all of which benefits others.
VIP Murray is pictured in our cover photo (courtesy of the Seal Beach PD), buffing one of their police cruisers, ensuring the department’s fleet has a rolling reputation for professional policing with gleam.
(Photo courtesy of the Seal Beach Police Department.)
In the robust information from Sgt. Gray, the selfless service of VIP Murray deservedly garnered the abundant accolades one would expect from a police volunteer who has given 11,000 hours (and counting) since joining the police force in 2014.
You’d think that anyone volunteering beyond 11,000 hours would take some wind out of their sails. Not so for VIP Murray who also donates his time working as a “Volunteer Guide on the USS Iowa,” anchored in San Pedro, California.
Thanks to Sgt. Gray for sharing the outstanding principles when describing the characteristics and traits of VIP Murray: “He is a very likable, outgoing man. Don feels privileged to assist our officers.”
(Photo courtesy of the Seal Beach Police Department.)
Volunteers In Policing are themselves Very Important Persons in the scheme of things, selflessly serving citizens who justly rely on law enforcement entities to deliver bona fide public safety covenants by sworn officers who are privileged to have dedicated individuals in their presence.
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