Volunteer Programs Save Millions

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 10/VolAwards/tjw/
April 23, 2010

Volunteer Programs Save Millions

Every year since 1983, Fairfax County area residents contribute significant hours of their own time volunteering with the Fairfax County Police Department. Members of the department’s Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) and alumni from the Citizens Police Academy come from a variety of backgrounds and offer a plethora of skills and abilities to the agency while providing a great cost benefit to the county. In 2008, the VIPS and APOs saved the county close to $2 million dollars.

Police volunteers are a vital part of the department and assist in various capacities ranging from administrative support, photographers, child safety seat inspections to helping patrol the streets. They also serve an important role in staffing the FCPD Canteen, which provides officers with snacks and hydrating drinks at major, hours- or days-long police scenes.

On Friday, April 16, almost 100 police volunteers received recognition for their dedication and contribution to the Fairfax County Police Department. “We award those enthusiastic volunteers that aid and support the police department’s mission and more importantly the police officers who serve their communities” says Donna Spiewak, VIPS coordinator.

Awards presented at the ceremony include:

Awards for 500 up to 10,000 committed hours to the department
Lifetime Award (10,000 or more service hours)
President’s Call to Service Award (4,000 or more service hours)
Joyce McDermott Award for Outstanding Auxiliary Police Officer
25 years or more of service to the department (Auxiliary Police Officers)
VIPS/APOs of the Year for Patrol, Administration, Crime Prevention and Training
Innovative Project Award for the FCPD Canteen Team

Auxiliary Police Officers VIPS member

To learn more about our police volunteer programs, just visit the Fairfax County Police website (search by keyword: VIPS, APO, Citizens Police Academy); or go directly to: