Outstanding Volunteer Programs Honored at IACP Conference

Sponsored by the Science Applications International Corporation, the award recognizes volunteer programs that demonstrate innovative, effective practices for augmenting sworn or civilian staff and/or improving service delivery to their communities. Members of the IACP Police Administration Committee meets annually to judge the award applications and select up to three winning agencies.

This year’s three winners were the Delray Beach, Florida, Police Department; the Richardson, Texas, Police Department; and the City of Benicia, California, Police Department. These agencies will be honored at a reception on November 11 during the IACP annual conference.

Established in 2003, the goal of the award program is to recognize the value that volunteers provide to state and local law enforcement and to institutionalize the theories and practices of the national Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program. The IACP manages and implements the VIPS Program in partnership with and on behalf of the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. The program was established as one of the Citizen Corps programs under the USA Freedom Corps initiative created by President George W. Bush in 2002. These programs share the common goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for and respond to crime, natural disasters and other emergencies.

To access the 2009 VIPS application, click here.

For more information, contact Carolyn Cockroft, 1-800-THE-IACP Ext. 206.