VIPS / Citizen Police Academy

VIPS Opportunities

There is always something to do at the Bridgeport Police Department. Whether you use your administrative skills, speaking skills, your love of children, or just having fun, you can serve your community through the VIPS program. See the list below for some of the exciting opportunities to get involved with the Bridgeport Police Department.

Operations Division:

Neighborhood Patrol

As a volunteer, you perform neighborhood patrols, tag abandoned vehicles, handicapped parking violators, direct traffic, and many other special tasks. You will wear a distinctive uniform and drive a specially marked vehicle, complete with police radio. Special training is provided for this exciting volunteer position.

  • Patrol neighborhoods
  • Cite handicapped parking violators
  • Set-up speed trailer
  • Traffic control
  • Motorist assists
  • Conduct vacation home checks
  • Extra patrol requests
  • Code enforcement
  • Tag dead storage vehicles for tow
  • Report and remove unauthorized signs
  • Barking dog complaints
  • Observe overgrown brushes/grass and other residential issues

Special Events

The Police Department sponsors many community-wide special events each year and they need your help. Critical projects are also supported by Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) such as the Scottish Festival, 5k's, and many other important activities. Greet people, hand out literature, and answer questions. Help is needed in all areas of community events!

Administrative Division:

Administrative Duties

Positions such as statistical data entry (burglary crimes, crime scene data, program updates), fingerprinting, microfilming, filing and more. Additional training will be provided as necessary. Assist administrative staff in various tasks such as filing, data entry, phone answering, miscellaneous clerical duties.

Investigations

  • Assist with duties such as filing of fingerprints, reports and data entry
  • Research cold cases
  • Copy video and audio evidence
  • Retrieve surveillance video and other evidence from businesses
  • Organize case information/paperwork
  • Data entry for crime mapping system

Emergency Services Division:

Emergency Services: Disaster Operations & Community Preparedness

As a VIPS volunteer, you can help establish disaster preparedness within our community, by educating your neighbors on what to do if a disaster strikes our area, i.e. severe weather events causing lengthy power outages. You will be able to educate families on disaster supplies needed to protect themselves and support the Bridgeport public safety departments.

  • Presence at Red Cross/Project GRACE shelter locations
  • Damage assessment of disaster areas
  • Identify possible hazards within our city
  • Door-to-Door visits during National Preparedness Month (September)
  • Teach children safety disaster preparedness awareness
  • Conduct assessments throughout the neighborhoods after a disaster to evaluate if further assistance is needed for our residents

Bridgeport's Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) will go into effect and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will come alive at City Hall when deemed necessary by the Emergency Services Director. Be part of a team that would assist the City to operate efficiently should a major disaster strike Bridgeport.

  • Answering phone in EOC
  • Logging event details in LEO or E-Team
  • Entering of Tier II Covered Facilities into CAMEO
  • Open source research and entering of Critical Infrastructure/Key Assets (CI/KR) in ACAMS

Bridgeport Citizens Police Academy

The Bridgeport Police Department will be presenting a 12-week Citizens Police Academy starting in May and will be every Thursday until July. The first seven weeks are open to any persons interested in certain topics. Upon graduation from the Citizens Police Academy, persons will have the opportunity to join the VIPS program.

A VIPS applicant must:

  • Be a citizen of Bridgeport or the surrounding area, at least 21 years of age
  • Complete an application, submit fingerprints, and give permission for a background check
  • Possess a valid driver's license
  • Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Be of good moral character without a felony conviction. (Misdemeanor conviction(s) will be evaluated individually
  • Complete the Bridgeport Citizens Police Academy and the Volunteer Training Program
  • Attend monthly operation and training meetings

Applicants will be in probationary status until completion of three (3) months satisfactory service following completion of the Academy Training Program. During this period they will be paired with a qualified VIPS for a minimum of four (4) patrols. Volunteers are expected to actively participate through various duties and attendance at the monthly meetings.

Persons interested in attending the entire Citizens Police Academy, please complete the VIPS Application Form and either email it to Officer C.B. Sayers or bring it to the Bridgeport Police Department at 515 W. Main Street, Bridgeport. If you have further questions about the VIPS program or the Citizens Police Academy, contact Officers Sayers and Hamrick via email or at 304-842-8260.