If you're interesting in exploring the Citizen Patrol (CP) program, you're welcome to schedule a ride-along with a Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) member or you can attend a training session. Training sessions are held each month for two hours. The trainings alternate each month between morning and evening trainings to help accommodate members' schedules. If you'd like to attend a ride-along or a training session, please contact the Citizen Patrol Program Coordinator: Deputy Joe Kaiser: 503-695-3211 or joe.kaiser@mcso.us or use the "contact box" on the "About" page. PLEASE CONTACT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, 503-988-3390, VOLUNTEER.SERVICES@MCSO.US
We want to insure that our members are honest, professional, trainable and committed. To do so, the Sheriff's Office has a selection process for VIPS candidates. The selection is a 4-part process:
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
To remain "active", we ask our members to complete six volunteer hours per month. "Hours" typically consist of gorge or school patrols, 2-hour monthly trainings, vacation house checks and community events. Members can patrol with a partner at their own convenience without the commitment of a pre-set schedule. It's very understandable that members will occasionally have conflicts that make it difficult to meet the hourly requirement. In this case, members have some options. They may make-up their hours on a following month or they can complete a free online training class in a subject that pertains to the CP mission (see the bottom of the "Training" page for a link to the free classes). Members would then be asked to share the learned information at a CP training if they feel comfortable doing so.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
This is an option for members that are simply having a difficult time in completing their hours. This must be approved through the CP Liaison. Members are typically granted a leave for up to 6-months. However, members can still be called out for emergency missions such as the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire evacuation.
We want to insure that our members are honest, professional, trainable and committed. To do so, the Sheriff's Office has a selection process for VIPS candidates. The selection is a 4-part process:
- The initial application. This can be done online by CLICKING HERE- CITIZEN PATROL ONLINE APPLICATION. If you prefer, you can have the application mailed to you by calling the Multnomah County Volunteer Services Unit at 503-988-3390 or via email at: volunteer.services@mcso.us. After filling out the online application, you'll receive some additional forms in the mail. The forms are a "Records Check Authorization", a "Release of Information" and an "Emergency Contact Notification Form". Applicants are encouraged to fill out and return these forms as quickly as possible to insure a timely background check. The entire application process and background check usually takes several weeks.
- Once the application process is initiated, you can contact Deputy Kaiser (see above) to schedule an interview. The interview can be set-up to suit your schedule. Interviews generally last about 15 minutes.
- Pass a 50-question multiple choice test with questions gleaned from the 16-sections listed on the "Training" page. You can take the test immediately after your short interview if you'd like. Nearly all applicants pass the test on their first attempt.
- Sometime during application process, the applicant will be requested to go to the Multnomah Building at 501 SE Hawthorne in Portland, for their fingerprints and a photograph. After the fingerprints are cleared as "ok", the CP Coordinator will be notified and the applicant will be contacted and potentially offered membership into the CP program. Members will receive a county issued photo ID card and additional equipment items.
- (Optional) After becoming a member, if a member wishes to drive a county-owned CP car, the member must attend a free 2-hour driver's safety class. Upon passing the class, the member must then successfully complete a cone course that's set-up in the Corbett area.
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
To remain "active", we ask our members to complete six volunteer hours per month. "Hours" typically consist of gorge or school patrols, 2-hour monthly trainings, vacation house checks and community events. Members can patrol with a partner at their own convenience without the commitment of a pre-set schedule. It's very understandable that members will occasionally have conflicts that make it difficult to meet the hourly requirement. In this case, members have some options. They may make-up their hours on a following month or they can complete a free online training class in a subject that pertains to the CP mission (see the bottom of the "Training" page for a link to the free classes). Members would then be asked to share the learned information at a CP training if they feel comfortable doing so.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
This is an option for members that are simply having a difficult time in completing their hours. This must be approved through the CP Liaison. Members are typically granted a leave for up to 6-months. However, members can still be called out for emergency missions such as the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire evacuation.