Hello again everyone.  I want to start by saying how much fun my colleagues and I had at the recent Pride parade.  Hopefully you appreciated the turnout from the Calgary Police Service, and it was great to have support from all aspects of the service, from a Superintendent to recruits, Auxiliary cadets and support staff.  Our banner, "Proud To Be Your Ally" said it all, and it was truly meant.

This month I want to tie in with the article from September which gave information on the Citizens Police Academy.  You may remember that I expressed concern that perhaps there was a lack of knowledge about the workings of the Calgary Police Service which had resulted in some misinformed social media activity.  Well, now I want to tell you about other ways in which you can get involved with the community and gain understanding of police work through general volunteer opportunities.

The Calgary Police Service actively seeks volunteers to help with a variety of programs. Opportunities are available with the community police stations, district offices, Victim Assistance Team, and YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre.

Volunteers must meet the following requirements:

The CPS recruit for the following volunteer positions:

Volunteers in community stations usually live in the community in which the station is located. They work with constables to respond to requests for information, answer phones, assist visitors, book appointments for the constables and document community concerns. Community Stations are located in Riverbend/Ogden, Braeside, Chinook Centre, and Market Mall.

Volunteers in district offices usually live in the community in which the office is located. These volunteers assist with the subpoena and warrant phoning programs.

Business Liaison Program volunteers collect information from businesses in order to maintain a database that includes contact information. They also discuss crime and safety issues with business owners and managers and work to devise solutions to these problems. Volunteers also assist in providing crime prevention seminars and conduct follow-ups with businesses that have been victims of crime.

Volunteer victim support workers assist victims of crime and misfortune with support, information and referral services. Support is offered in the form of court accompaniment, assistance with restitution request applications and other services, and providing information about court dates and police and/or court procedures.

Further information about the Victim Assistance Team was given in the May 2013 edition of this magazine.

Volunteers in the Interpretive Centre may work as a docent or as "Where’s the Evidence" School Program educators. Front counter volunteers or docents greet and assist visitors with information about the centre and answer questions about the exhibits. "Where’s the Evidence" School Program educators guide school children through work stations and provide background on investigative and evidence gathering techniques. Evening docents work with youth groups such as Scouts and Guides to facilitate their visit to the centre and do program specific material.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with the Calgary Police Service or for any other comments, issues or concerns please get in touch with me in the usual way.  Alternatively, you can contact Vivian Gathercole with the Volunteer Resource Team.

Thanks again everyone.  Stay safe, look after each other, and I’ll talk to you again next month.