At the Eugene Police Department, we recruit a wide range of volunteers including high school, college, and university students, retirees, employed people, groups, Citizen Police Academy graduates, and former clients. We recruit people at all levels of income, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Our volunteers are important to us. When citizens who receive police services are helping to design, prioritize, and even deliver services, a closer connection is made between the Police Department and the public. This is what Community Policing is all about.
People volunteer for a range of reasons.
Training and career experience is a large motivation for young people, while older volunteers might want to develop new skills or gain experience for a career change. Many volunteers simply want to make a difference in improving our community. The operation of Eugene's Public Safety stations depends heavily on volunteer help from citizens. Volunteers provide information, referral and advocacy to citizens, support to staff, and engage in special assignments, events and projects. Volunteers at City Hall provide a range of services.