Volunteer Program
General Information
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Program is composed of a collective citizens group with a true and common desire to partner with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office by volunteering their services while learning more about the internal workings of the law enforcement community. As the population in El Paso County increases, so does the demand for service on the Sheriff's Office. The use of citizen volunteers assists the Sheriff's Office in the meeting of these demands and, as the demand continues to grow, so will the need for active citizen participation.
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision; the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives; it is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
~ Andrew Carnegie
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be a law-abiding citizen with good intent.
- Must be honest on the El Paso County Sheriff's Office volunteer application.
- Successfully pass a thorough background investigation.
- Successfully pass a computerized voice stress analysis examination, if required.
- Must be at least 18 years of age, 21 for some positions.
Specific Requirements:
Each volunteer position has unique qualifications and requirements. Inquire about specific training, qualifications and requirements at any time by contacting the Volunteer Program Coordinator at (719) 520-7216. Below is a listing of some of the areas of opportunity within the Volunteer Program, in conjunction with the position description.
Volunteer Opportunities - General:
Language Services: Provides Sheriff’s Office personnel with verbal and written language translation services in the correctional and law enforcement environments, in addition to some administrative duties. The position requires some assigned standing shifts, as well as, being scheduled “on call” via pager or phone.
Reserve Deputy: Performs all duties necessary to ensure the security and welfare of staff, inmates, and the community of El Paso County. Patrols an assigned district, enforces applicable civil statutes; answers service calls; conducts criminal investigations; issues summons and complaints; files cases with the District Attorney’s Office, and may be called to testify in court.
Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol: The Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol is a program that allows residents of El Paso County the ability to volunteer within their community performing law enforcement related duties that do not require a sworn officer. The program allows its volunteers to actively participate in a wide variety of areas in law enforcement that were historically unavailable.
Cadet/Explorer: This position provides an introduction for young adults to careers in Law Enforcement and Detentions. Cadets assist with parades, ceremonies, conferences, etc. while receiving invaluable training, obtaining leadership experience, and broadening their knowledge of law enforcement.
Patrol Chaplain: Provide comfort, counseling and spiritual guidance to all Sheriff’s Office members, sworn and civilian. Assist citizens during times of tragedy, such as serious injuries, accidental and natural death, homicides and suicides. Provide invocations and benedictions at Sheriff’s Office functions. Make death notifications.
Victim Advocate: Assist victims of violent crimes with short-term crisis intervention, providing information and resource referrals.
Range Assistant: Assist the Range Master with a variety of duties, such as, preparing and repairing targets; recording range scores, etc.
Driving Instructor: Assist the Driving Instructor in a variety of functions, such as course set up and design, classroom instruction, and other duties as required to complete POST mandated and agency required training.
Citizens' Advisory Council Member: In addition to serving as a conduit from the Sheriff’s Office to the community, members also provide feedback to the Office regarding budget reviews, new and current programs, and community issues.
Inmate Programs:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Facilitator: Conduct weekly groups using a 12-step method and provide a voluntary fellowship of men and women to attain and maintain sobriety.
Narcotics Anonymous Facilitator: Similar to AA Facilitator, except narcotics addictions are the center of recovery.
Detention Chaplain: Provide worship services, spiritual studies, and counseling to the inmate population.
Reintegration & Recovery Member: Contribute to the success of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office therapeutic treatment program, Reintegration & Recovery (R&R). Volunteers will perform a variety of functions designed to assist inmates from recidivating back into the criminal justice system.
Property Custodian Assistant: Receives, monitors, maintains, and releases inmate property.
Detention Librarian: Obtain, process, and stock an array of literature to the inmate population at the El Paso County Jail.
Detention Program Facilitator: Provides a voluntary program to the inmate population at the El Paso Jail
Emergency Services Division Opportunities:
Wildland Fire Management Member: As an on-call Wildland firefighter, respond to and suppress fires in El Paso County and surrounding areas.
Search and Rescue: The active recruitment period for the El Paso County Search and Rescue team has begun. If you would like more information about the team and how to join, please visit their website at: www.epcsar.org.
Mobile Communications Unit Driver: As an on-call MOCOM responder. Either drives, operates or under special situations drives and operates the Mobile Communications Unit to areas within El Paso County and surrounding areas to setup and assist with communications on large incidences or functions.
Clerical/Customer Service:
Clerical Assistant: Training: Filing, scanning, data entry for the Training Section.
Inmate Classification: Data entry and general clerical duties.
Intake and Release Assistant: Utilize customer service skills to field inquiries from the public; receive money and bonds for inmates; filing and general clerical duties.
Sheriff's Citizen Patrol
In early 2009, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office implemented a new volunteer program, the Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol (SCP). The Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol is a citizen based program which allows residents of El Paso County the ability to volunteer within their community performing law enforcement related duties which do not require a sworn member. This program allows volunteers to actively participate in a wide variety of opportunities which were historically unavailable to volunteers.