Answering the Call to Service

Every day, the uniformed men and women representing the Miami-Dade Police Department strive to protect our neighborhoods, reduce crime, and uphold the laws of our community. Since September 11, 2001, the Miami-Dade Police Department has worked even harder to ensure public safety and strengthen our relationship with the citizens we serve. None of this would have been possible without the help of more than 100 citizen volunteers working within our law enforcement agency to assist with important administrative and non-intervention policing activities, helping to free up more officers for their frontline responsibilities.

Nationwide, over 38,000 volunteers are working within over 700 police departments as part of Volunteers In Police Services (VIPS), a key component of President Bush’s Citizen Corps initiative created following the September 11th incident to help make our communities safer, stronger, and better equipped to respond to any emergency situation. As part of his 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush asked every American to volunteer two years, or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives in service to our communities and our country. He created the USA Freedom Corps to connect millions of Americans to meaningful service opportunities such as VIPS. In our Department alone, volunteers serve valuable roles by assisting with identification and fingerprinting duties, organizing neighborhood watch programs, and helping with important administrative responsibilities.

With greater demands placed on our law enforcement agencies today, these volunteers are absolutely vital to ensure that our officers have the time to focus on their key tasks. Our public safety, in a time of heightened security and new threats depends on it. In the aftermath of September 11, police officers and firefighters are among the leading heroes of young people. If we are going to build a culture of service and citizenship as the USA Freedom Corps is helping to do all across the country, our officers and the citizens that support them, must play leading roles. Fortunately, the Miami-Dade Police Department is doing just that.

Volunteers aid in the overall efficiency of the organization to reduce and solve crime. Volunteers are not utilized to replace sworn or other paid positions within the Miami-Dade Police Department, but rather to enhance the efficiency of the agency.

Why Volunteer?

• to learn more about law enforcement.
• to develop individual job skills.
• to help the community.
• to make new friends and contacts.
• to help the police department fight crime.

Who is qualified to Volunteer?

• Men and women 18 years of age or older.
• All law abiding citizens of Miami-Dade County.
• Those candidates who successfully meet the selection criteria of the Miami-Dade.

Police Department Citizens’ Volunteer Program application process.

• Individuals who can commit to a minimum of six hours per week, and a minimum of one year of service.

Where do Volunteers Work?

• In the Districts and Bureaus of the Miami-Dade Police Department located throughout the County.
• Within the Miami-Dade Police Department Headquarters Complex, located at 9105 NW 25 Street, Miami, Florida.
• At special events.

To date, many volunteers have served the Miami-Dade Police Department in a wide range of capacities. Positions are available primarily during business hours Monday through Friday. However, there are positions available in the evenings and weekends.

• Clerical support - general office duties.
• Wellness Center Assistant.
• Identification/fingerprinting.
• Property and Evidence Bureau assistant - data entry duties.
• Reception desk assistant - welcoming and directing visitors.
• Special projects volunteer; work on annual events.
• Volunteer program assistant.
• Central Records Bureau assistant.
• Public Information Officer assistant.

If you have any additional questions, please contact via e-mail PJThornburg@mdpd.com
or call (305) 471-1716.

Download an application Request Form PDF