Volunteer Program - Opportunities

Volunteer Chaplain Program

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is seeking members of the local clergy willing to volunteer as a Police Chaplain in the Metro Volunteer Chaplain Program.

Volunteer chaplains will work in conjunction with the LVMPD Peer Support Program. They will be assigned to area commands where they will volunteer at least 20 hours per month. They will do ride-a-longs with patrol officers and respond to emergencies where their spiritual support is requested. They will provide a supportive presence to officers, as well as the community, and provide spiritual counsel when appropriate.

Interested clergy are asked to review the "chaplain qualifications and expectations" information posted below. This will help answer questions and determine if you qualify as a potential candidate.

This is an exciting new program, and having a diversified, motivated group of individuals serving as volunteer chaplains will help to make it a success.

Qualifications & Expectations

A candidate for the position of Volunteer Police Chaplain with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department must meet the following qualifications. He/she must:

• Be a licensed or ordained member of the clergy in good standing.
• Possess a minimum of five (5) years pastoral experience.
• Submit a letter of endorsement for chaplaincy by a recognized religious affiliation.
• Possess a current, valid Nevada driver’s license and minimum vehicle liability insurance.
• Own a vehicle or have one readily accessible.
• Be willing to use your own vehicle in performance of the chaplain duties, for which you will be reimbursed for your mileage.
• Volunteer a minimum of twenty (20) hours per month where the chaplain will ride along with a patrol officer at an assigned area command. Of the 20 hours, ten (10) should be performed on swing or grave shift.
• Be willing to respond on a 24-hour emergency call basis for a one week period every seven (7) weeks.
• Attend monthly meetings for on-going training and discussions that enhance ones efficiency as a police chaplain.
• Pass an in-depth criminal background check by the LVMPD.
• Never have been convicted of a felony crime or a crime which requires offender registration per Nevada law. Convictions of two (2) misdemeanors, other than minor traffic offenses, may be cause for disqualification.
• Be willing to accept direction, leadership, and training from the Police Employee Assistance Program.
• Maintain high moral and spiritual practices.
• Tactfully relate to people regardless of race, sex, creed or religion and abide by the LVMPD values of Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect for people, and Excellence (ICARE).
• Possess a broad base of experience and professional maturity, emotional stability, and personal flexibility.
• Be, or become within one year, a member in good standing with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC).
• Become familiar with community medical, psychiatric, and other helping resources in the local area.

CERT Training

On January 26, 2004 approximately 30 members of The Metro Volunteer Program started a seven week training session at the Mojave Fire Training Facility. Since 9/11 we have all learned that things will never be the same as before. With this in mind, citizens all over the country are becoming more involved in volunteer groups such as The Metro Volunteer Program. In a pro-active move the MVP is involved in getting as many of its volunteers trained in the CERT program.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

If you are interested in signing up for CERT training contact: Sharon Harding at 702-828-5609

Bike Rodeo Teams

We are forming teams that can help with Bike rodeos and safety programs at the elementary schools. These teams will consist of:

• Artists
• Enthusiastic speakers
• Volunteers who can build props
• Volunteers who are good organizers
• Volunteers who like interacting with children
• Volunteers who want to be certified as bike safety instructors

If you are interested in joining one of these teams or becoming a Cetified Bike Instructor Please contact: Sharon Harding at the Metro Volunteer Program.

VIVA

As the name indicates, the VIVA Patrol is available to answer tourists' questions as well as to assist in safety and crime issues.

The VIVA Patrol is a detail under the LVMPD's Metro Volunteer Program (MVP)

The VIVA Patrol is seeking individuals with good communication skills who would like to serve as police ambassadors to our community's 40 million-plus annual visitors. Candidates must be willing to walk a minimum of one 4-hour shift a week. All applicants will undergo background checks and successful candidates will be given 16 hours of training in patrol functions, tourist information and crime prevention. Uniforms and equipment will be provided.

McGruff

• McGruff Safe Kids
• McGruff's Site

S.T.R.T.

The Metro Volunteer Program is very proud to have partnered up with S.T.R.T., Specialty Traffic Response Team, to handle Metro's traffic control needs in case of:

• Fatal traffic accidents
• Special events with large crowds
• Some crime scenes
• Fire Emergency
• Parades, Runs, Walk-a-Thons & Bike Tours

S.T.R.T. Volunteers have probably the toughest job in the Metro Volunteer Program. They are on 24 hour call and are typically called out on accidents where there has been fatalities. This group of Volunteers should be highly commended, as this assignment is not for the weak of heart.

Handicap Parking Enforcement

The Handicap Parking Enforcement Program was created when Nevada Assembly Bill Seven was introduced in the 1997 Legislature by Assemblyman Mark Manendo. The bill, which became law on October 1, 1997, allows local law enforcement agencies to recruit, select, train, and deploy volunteers to write citations for vehicles illegally parked in spaces designated by law for the handicapped. The first Handicap Parking Enforcement Patrols started on April 15, 1998.

Volunteers attend a 4 hour class taught by Las Vegas City Parking Enforcement then they continue their training on the job. Volunteers always work in pairs and drive department vehicles. Volunteers write over 85% of the handicap parking citations issued in Clark County. These Handicap Parking Enforcement Patrols are assigned to an area command. This volunteer position allows for flexible hours 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Laughlin

Much like The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) the Metro Volunteer Program (MVP) extends beyond the city limits of Las Vegas. We currently have a very active group in Laughlin, these volunteers are busy through out the year working with many non-profit groups, civic events and charities in the Laughlin area:

• Special Churches Fund Drive
• Community Health & Safety Fair
• Connie Davis 5K Walk and Run
• Concerts at the Laughlin Event Center, Edge Pavilion and Rio Vista Amphitheater
• Laughlin Chamber of Commerce grand openings and ribbon cutting events
• Assist Colorado Food Bank with holiday food baskets
• Assist Clark County Parks and Recreation with community events such as Easter egg hunts, Trunk or Treat, Christmas Tree lighting, parades

In addition to Civic Events the Laughlin Volunteers assist Metro Police in many different assignments:

• Handicap Parking Enforcement
• National Night Out
• Substation, Front Office & Records Aides
• Coffee with a Cop
• Snow Cones with a Cop
• Santa Cops
• Traffic control for off road racing
• VIVA (Visitor Info and Visitor Assist) on River Walk