CPD volunteers not assisting True/False
Volunteers this year will go through a new training program.
Published Feb. 26, 2010
The Columbia Police Department uses its volunteer program to assist with big events in Columbia but will not be using the unit for the True/False Film Fest.
CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said True/False is different from other large events, such as the Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ festival.
"This (event) doesn't lend itself to have any problems," Haden said. "The festival goers are peaceful, abiding folk."
According to CPD's Web site, there are 39 volunteers working for CPD. Volunteers participate in events like the Memorial Day air show and parade and the Show-Me State Games. Haden said when the Tour of Missouri was in Columbia two years ago, CPD volunteers also assisted with traffic control and event security.
Department volunteers have changed in the past decade. Haden said in 2000, CPD trained people for Citizens on Patrol. Haden managed the Citizens Academy and Citizens on Patrol at the same time.
"A lot of people wanted to help out with the department," Haden said. "We just made (the Citizens Academy) a prerequisite for the volunteer unit."
CPD is doing something a little different this year, Haden said. The department disbanded the community service unit due to reorganization and the Citizens Academy has not been used for a year. Haden said this year, the department is opening an application process to those interested in volunteering. The applications were posted on CPD's Web site last week and will be up until April 15.
"We'll hold training in April and it will be a four-hour block," Haden said. "We'll teach them about those venue events."
Tracye Harmon is a CPD volunteer who attended the Citizens Academy in 2006. Harmon said the academy is being revamped at this point but said when she attended it was about a seven or eight-week session.
"We met one night a week," Harmon said. "We learned how to do their jobs. It was very informative."
Harmon volunteered to help CPD in the Polar Plunge for the past couple of years. After receiving a degree in criminal justice from Columbia College, Harmon said she was looking for a way to utilize the degree while helping with the community.
"My goal was to teach," Harmon said. "And I knew I didn't want to be a police officer, but I wanted to help them because I respect them. I attended the Citizens Academy with CPD and learned the aspects of the department that allowed me to do the work I do today."
Harmon is a computer programmer with the state of Missouri.
Haden said a lot of people don't put applications to become officers because they already have a good, well-paying job. So far, Haden said there is only one volunteer who is working on becoming an officer and the department is hoping he'll finish the process.
"Going to the Citizens Academy really has helped him get to know the officers," Haden said. "We hope he sticks with it and is ably to apply soon."
Five volunteers have gone through the extensive background check and drug tests, allowing more access to the department. The volunteers are not officers, but Haden said they still do a large amount of work for CPD.
"We have one volunteer who keeps logs of burglaries," Haden said. "We have another volunteer who puts together an intelligence bulletin for us. Two volunteers help with the Bait Car Program and another helps with the newsletter."
Haden said the department allows volunteers to work at any level they want, be it once a week or just in the summer.
"It is a very flexible program," Haden said.