Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Are you honest, dependable, looking for a challenge, and ready to make a difference? Then You're wanted by the C.O.P.S. 

What is C.O.P.S.?
C.O.P.S. is Citizens Offering Police Support.

In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush announced the creation of the USA Freedom Corps, an effort to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility, building on a generous spirit of the American people.  The Citizen Corps programs are part of the USA Freedom Corps initiative and share the common goal of helping communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to crime, natural disasters and other emergencies.

Citizen Corps includes five program partners:  Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps, Fire Corps, and the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) program.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) manages and implements the VIPS Program in partnership with and on behalf of the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.  The goal of the program is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.

The Phoenix Police Department has a long outstanding history of volunteerism.  The department implemented its volunteer program in 1983.  The C.O.P.S. Volunteer program (VIPS) is a unique and invaluable program and resource to the department.  Today, we have over 160 volunteers working in all areas within our department.  We also have many University student interns who start their career path within the program.  Each year volunteers have contributed anywhere from 25,000 to 30,000 hours of volunteer service to our Police Department.

C.O.P.S. is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping the Phoenix Police Department and the Community.

Who can join C.O.P.S.?

C.O.P.S. is open to anyone with a willingness to get involved and the desire to make a difference in their community.  As a C.O.P.S. volunteer, you will become involved with behind the scene efforts of law enforcement.  You will enjoy the camaraderie, the sense of belonging and the feeling of pride that comes with being a part of something worthwhile.
You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for the C.O.P.S. Volunteer program.

Click here to find out more information on how to become a C.O.P.S. Volunteer
Adobe Acrobat pdf file.

Click here to find out more information on how to become a C.O.P.S. Intern
Adobe Acrobat pdf file.

What are the different volunteer opportunities/positions?

C.O.P.S.Volunteers currently work in every Police Precinct and within many of our bureaus. Here are just some of the opportunities available to C.O.P.S. Volunteers:

• Motorist Assist
• Internships
• Victim Services
• A.C.E.
• Police Academy
• Community Programs
• Crime Lab
• Forensic Imaging Unit
• Community Events/Public Relations
• Data entry
• Computer Software/Installation Programming
• Victim Services Unit Caseworker
• Missing Persons Case Assistance
• Administrative Assistance
• Police Aide

**These represent just a few of the positions available when you join volunteer force of the Phoenix Police Department.

C.O.P.S. Events

C.O.P.S. volunteers participate in many area and national conferences throughout the year.  Volunteers also have the opportunity to receive numerous law enforcement classes and training seminars.  C.O.P.S. volunteers are recognized yearly in the Phoenix Police Department Annual Awards banquet and the C.O.P.S. Volunteer Annual Awards/Recognition Banquet.  In addition, C.O.P.S. partners with many local organizations to provide the latest in volunteerism and opportunities.

How do I join C.O.P.S.?

Call (602) 262-7218 and ask for C.O.P.S.

A C.O.P.S. coordinator will answer your questions and explain the procedure for joining the team.

Step One:

Contact the Employment Services Bureau (ESB):

      -Phone:             (602) 262-7218
      -E-MAIL:           larry.horton@phoenix.gov
      -Mail:                620 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
      -Fax:                 (602) 534-6851

Step Two:

After you have contacted the C.O.P.S. Volunteer coordinator and assessed your volunteer needs:

      -Download an application from this website, complete the application and submit it to the address shown on the application. (An application can also be mailed to you)

Step Three:

To ensure volunteers meet the high standards of the C.O.P.S. Volunteer Program and the Phoenix Police Department, we ask all candidates to:

      -Complete a comprehensive questionnaire and application kit
      -Attend a screening interview with a Police background investigator
      -Pass a background check
      -Pass a polygraph test
      -Pass a controlled substance screening

There are additional requirements for a University volunteer Intern.  Please contact the C.O.P.S. Volunteer coordinator for additional information.

C.O.P.S. Application Download

You can download an application form, fill it in, and submit it to the address shown on the form.  Click here to download the application form

To read these documents you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
If you do not have it, you can download it (free)

Be a part of something special. Call C.O.P.S. today.Below you will find detailed information on three of our volunteer opportunities.

• Accessibility Compliance Enforcement Program
• Motorist Assist Program
• Victim Services Unit

Accessibility Compliance Enforcement Program

The Accessibility Compliance Enforcement aide is a volunteer who has committed to serve a minimum of four hours each week to assist the community and the Phoenix Police Department. Volunteers patrol the city of Phoenix, writing disabled parking citations. The mission of the ACE Program is to provide safe and accessible parking spaces for the disabled community through enforcement and education. Directed patrol is accomplished by responding to locations identified through the disabled parking violation hotline, 602-534-SPACE.

The City of Phoenix has created the Save Our Space Campaign to educate the public about the importance of saving disabled parking spaces for those people who really need them. Recently, the City of Phoenix has more than doubled the fine for illegal use of designated accessible parking spaces. The fine for this violation is $140.
The authority granted to accessibility compliance Volunteers is limited to non-law- enforcement functions. ACE volunteers will not engage in any activities that would place them in the role of a sworn law enforcement officer, and/or subject them to unreasonable and unnecessary hazards.

If you would like to join the ACE team of volunteers contact:

Detective Walter Olsen - 602-534-1951
TESU-ACEP coordinator

How do I join C.O.P.S.?

Motorist Assist Program

The Motorist Assist aide is a volunteer who has committed to serve a minimum of four hours each week to assist members of the community and the Phoenix Police Department. Serving as a uniformed civilian, the volunteer assists motorists who have encountered vehicular problems while using city streets. Assistance provided may include, but is not limited to, pushing vehicles; starting vehicles; opening vehicle doors; providing fuel, air, or water; assisting with changing a tire/s; arranging transportation; or other assistance reasonably required to aid the temporarily stranded motorist.

Volunteers also work closely with sworn police personnel and may be called upon to assist at vehicular accident scenes for traffic control or other duties. In addition, the volunteer may be requested to assist at special events. The philosophy of the Motorist Assist Program is service as opposed to enforcement. The authority granted to Motorist Assist aides is limited to non-law-enforcement functions. Motorist assist aides will not engage in any activities that would place them in the role of a sworn law enforcement officer, and/or subject them to unreasonable hazards.

If you would like to join the MAP team of volunteers contact:

Detective Walter Olsen - 602-534-1951
TESU-MAP coordinator

or Barb Larson at Police Employment Services 602-534-0174

How do I join C.O.P.S.?

Phoenix Police Victim Services Unit
 Intern & Volunteer Possibilities

Victim Services volunteers currently assist victims of crime in the following areas:

Depending upon your area of interest, enjoy a variety of casework functions such as :

Police Department liaison between victims and detectives
Provide Victims' Compensation information and applications
Explain and provide Victims' Rights information
Victim Call backs and Follow-up casework
Offer Community Self-Help resources and agencies
Provide Bereavement resources
Assist with Orders of Protection and shelter placement
Assist with obtaining various Police Reports
Assist with obtaining Office of the Medical Examiner Reports
Empathetic listening and support
Accompany victims to court proceedings
Attend relevant support groups
Coordinate return of impounded property
Build your resume with valuable job experience

Please join us to help families impacted by crime. We welcome you to our team.

Contact: Phoenix Police Department Victim Services Unit at 602-534-2123

How do I join C.O.P.S.?