Sheriff’s Office seeking Citizens on Patrol volunteers

The Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) is an organization of concerned citizens working within the community with the primary purpose of assisting their neighborhood in crime prevention by acting as additional “eyes and ears” for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. 

The program is designed to educate interested individuals to problems unique to their neighborhood and to assist in developing a community patrol group. Citizens on Patrol volunteers do not possess police authority and will avoid any direct involvement which could pose a personal risk. Volunteers contribute their time and energy for organized patrols under the direction of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will provide educational programs via the C.O.P. Academy and materials from time to time designed to inform the volunteers in the general topics of police functions, including legal issues, communications, property offenses and patrol procedures. The educational presentations are designed to inform the citizens of certain aspects of the Sheriff’s Office operations and to give the volunteers some very basic procedures to follow while conducting their community patrol activities. Under no circumstances will members of C.O.P. represent themselves as deputy sheriffs, nor are they authorized to take any action that would endanger life or property.  Volunteers do not carry weapons of any kind while on patrol.

Citizens on Patrol is currently patrolling Gold Canyon, unincorporated Apache Junction, and an area bounded by Arizona Farms Road on the South extending north to Germann Road with the western boundary at San Tan Mountains foothills, going eastward to approximately four miles east of Bella Vista/Union Pacific Crossing.

The Pinal County Sheriff has provided “marked” patrol vehicles that are available for on-line scheduling 24/7; patrol shifts require a minimum of two hours and no more than eight hours.

Volunteers will actively patrol neighborhood to create a visible presence to deter crime and will observe, record and report suspicious activity. They will also participate in neighborhood and community education and awareness activities, assisting with public speaking and program promotion. Volunteers may work with sensitive information and must maintain confidentiality.

Each Citizen on Patrol volunteer must pass a Wants and Warrants check, Motor Vehicle Division check, and a Criminal History Background check. They must also have a valid Arizona driver’s license, be at least 21 years of age and successfully complete C.O.P. Academy training.
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If you are interested in becoming a member of the Citizens on Patrol, please contact the Citizens on Patrol Program Director for additional information: Pat Prince, COP Program Director, at [email protected] or 480-982-2241 or 480-671-4847.

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