Volunteerism in Public Safety Organizations Bob Jacobson New Brighton Department of Public Safety October 8, 2015

2 Sir Robert Peel Considered a “father” of law enforcement Are his principles of policing still applicable today?

History of Volunteerism in Policing The Police at all times should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police with police being members of the public being paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence – Sir Robert Peel The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it - Sir Robert Peel

U.S. History of Police Volunteerism “We were responsible for our neighbors” Militia Night Watchmen Sheriff’s Posse Police Reserve Crime Watch Captains National Night Out

Just the Facts/By the Numbers in the United States 2013 – 626, , , , – 706, – 708, estimated population of 268,684, sworn per 1,000 inhabitant

State of MN July 8, 2015 we have 10,476 sworn police officers (excluding inactive licenses) 441 Agencies as of July 2015 (had been as high as 525 and down by 5 agencies from 2014) Population of 5,453,218 (2014 estimate) 1.92 per 1,000 population Do you have 1.92 police officers per 1,000? Do you have enough to do the job?

MN POST Board ,315 active full time officers 2014 – 10,458 active full time officers 2013 – 10,242 active full time officers 2012 – 10,162 active full time officers 2010 – 10,265 active full time officers ,207 active full time officers issued the fewest number of new licenses in 2010 in a calendar year

Why Volunteers? Force Multiplier Nationally we have reduced sworn law enforcement by nearly 70,000 across the nation About 20% of Agencies have deployed Officers to Military Police Departments are closing, consolidating, merging, etc. Police Officers per 1,000 going down Value of Volunteers is increasing

Volunteering in MN 38.0% of residents volunteer, ranking them 4th among the 50 states and Washington, DC volunteer hours per resident million volunteers million hours of service. $3.7 billion of service contributed. 6.0% volunteer in civic organizations Minneapolis-Saint Paul 37.0% of residents volunteer, ranking them 1st among the 51 largest MSAs

September 11, 2001 Attacks led to renewed focus on “homeland security” Led to creation of Transportation Security Administration on November 19, 2001 Creation of Dept. of Homeland Security in November 25, 2002 The world has really changed, or has it on the local level?

USA Freedom Corps Created Post 9-11 by President Bush Build on volunteerism in post 9-11 world Terrorism focus Give people an opportunity to serve “Citizenship,” service to community Result was the creation of Citizen Corps

Citizen Corps Mission The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds

Citizen Corps Programs Five Federally Sponsored Partner Programs Community Emergency Response Teams USA on Watch – ie Crime Watch Volunteers in Police Service Fire Corps Medical Reserve Corps Learn more at

Medical Reserve Corps Active and retired medical personnel Deploy in times of critical needs and/or disasters Support public health When will the pandemic come?

Volunteers in Police Service LE using volunteers! Crime prevention Assist with “police work” Graffiti abatement EOC operations Administrative assistance Child ID programs Vulnerable Adult program assistance

Police Reserves Screen Carefully! Train Policies and Procedures Can be gateway to police employment Build leadership abilities Use them for a variety of needs

Police Explorers Boy Scouts of America / Learning for Life Training and backgrounds required for advisors 14 to 21 years of age Training Mentor Screen for future employment

Challenges Organized Labor concerns Budget for Volunteers Political involvement Liability concerns Training Policies Voluntary Leadership Recognition Background Checks George Zimmerman Effect

Chaplains/Faith Community Police Chaplains Volunteers for disasters Shelter locations Space needs for meetings They will help, you just have to ask….

Public Safety Advisory Boards Local Citizen Corps Councils Public Safety Commissions Civil Service Commissions Help them serve….. Build community support and trust Increase communication Increase transparency

Community Policing Philosophy Adds to a Community Policing strategy Partner with others Citizen Support Non LE organizational support Transparency for the Public Political Support We must be leaders – won’t happen without you IACP Video

Police Officers Volunteering Reading programs Advisors for Reserves, Explorers, etc Assist with benefits, fundraisers Mentor youth Coach Faith Community Santa Cop programs…. And many more…….

Other Resources MN Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (MNVOAD) MN Police Reserve Officer Association (MNPROA) Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Citizen Corps –

Contact Info Bob Jacobson New Brighton Dept. of Public Safety