Full Notification

Unit aims to recruit additional volunteers to double its ranks

On July 7th, 2017 the Santa Barbara Police Department launched the Volunteers in Policing Program (VIP’s). To date, this uniformed cadre has contributed almost three thousand volunteer hours to the City -- promoting community awareness and bolstering safety.

Each volunteer participated in personally rewarding and meaningful work, including but not limited to: foot patrols; assisting constituents in the police lobby; reviewing hours of surveillance video for investigative leads; visiting the homes of seniors in our community at risk of scams; acting as a Volunteer Hearing Officer for parking citations; conducting traffic control / road closures during recent natural disasters; assisting Animal Control; co-writing grants; attending various community meetings on behalf of the Department; and conducting other various research tailored to their experience, skills, and public service motivation.
 
These eleven incredible inaugural members have exceeded all expectations and have become the cornerstone of a truly great program with unlimited potential. Civic organizations and sponsors such as the Santa Barbara Police Foundation and the Bunnin Chevrolet Family were instrumental in providing infrastructure and resources to bolster the program’s success.
 
The success of the program can be attributed to Howie Giles, Director of Volunteer services, a now retired distinguished UCSB professor. Without Howie’s leadership and dedication, the program would certainly not be where it is today.  Giles has spearheaded recruitment, training and scheduling. 
 
In addition to Giles, outstanding VIP’s include: Corey Anderson, Jose Chicote, Jane Giles, Dick Kemmerer, Steve Kemmerer, Dale Kunkel, Brad Pullen, Jerry Siegel, John Stein, and Bob Van Buren.
 
The program has been rewarding to the participants and has also promoted a clear alignment to Chief Luhnow’s vision for 21st Century Community Policing. “The expertise that these volunteers bring are essential skills to any organization,” said Luhnow, “…and they convey a level of professionalism that any employer would love to tap into.”
Interested in becoming a VIP? The Department is seeking active and healthy participants who can commit 20 hours per month.  This equal opportunity position requires each successful candidate to pass a comprehensive background investigation prior to appointment.  Contact Howie Giles at [email protected]

 Here is a brief summary of the first year’s contributions:

100% retention though first year
 
2755 total hours volunteered (7/7/17 - 6/30/18)
 
0 citizen complaints
 
416 skateboarders warned
 
339 hours helping citizens in our station lobby
 
477 public assists
 
522 warnings for smoking
 
The following is a partial list of activities VIP’s have participated in this year:
 
State Street foot patrol
 
Milpas Street / Beach area foot patrols
 
Lobby public assistance detail
 
Assisting detectives with canvassing areas for video cameras / footage
 
Reviewing hours of surveillance video for investigative leads
 
Assisting Restorative Policing (teaching life skills, assisting on transports)
 
Solstice and July 4th Parades
 
Volunteer Hearing Officer for parking citations and tows
 
Assisting with Open Entry testing for Physical Agility
 
At Risk Adult Program (co-writing grant with Detectives)
 
Home visits of seniors in our community at risk of scams
 
Attending various community meetings on behalf of SBPD
 
Assisting with monitoring in-custody subjects for jail van detail
 
Conducting research on numerous special projects
 
Creating a database for SNAP program
 
Assisting Animal Control
 
Volunteering with DRAGG youth engagement program
 
Conducting traffic control/road closures during natural disasters