Volunteers in Public Safety

 Founding VIPS 
The idea for a citizen volunteer group began in the summer of 2003 after a rash of vandalism in the City Park and several vehicle burglaries around town. The Chief of Police, Jim Bush, discussed placing citizen volunteers in the areas experiencing problems. The volunteers would call law enforcement if they saw anything out of the ordinary.

After several months of planning and reviewing, Volunteers in Public Safety was born. VIPS has grown into an extensive community policing program. The jobs and opportunities available in VIPS are limited only by the talents and ideas of its members.

 Training 
Training consists of an initial 50-hour course giving a broad overview of how the Police Department operates. Additional training will be provided for each specific duty.

A few of the topics covered will be:

  • Radio procedures
  • First aid and CPR
  • Vehicle operations
  • Firearms
  • Directing traffic
  • Crowd control
  • Public contact
  • Crime scene security
  • Prisoner transport
  • Witness forms and statements
  • Patrol
  • Speed & traffic surveys

Applications 
You must be at least 18 years old and free from criminal history to apply. If you would like to become a member of the VIPS program, contact Chief Geody VanDewater at the Sturgis Police Department, (605) 347-5070, or stop by the Meade County Law Enforcement Center at 1400 Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785.