Volunteer Patrol
The Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol is another opportunity for citizens to volunteer their time with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. As a member of the Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol, you will have an opportunity to work side-by-side with our deputy sheriffs and perform a variety of valuable services for our citizens and visitors to Pinellas County. Some of these responsibilities may include transporting found property, directing traffic at special events or around disabled vehicles, conducting vacation home checks, and much more. The sheriff invites you to consider becoming a member of our Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol team. Our volunteers provide an invaluable level of service and support to the community as well as to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office members. Your desire to volunteer your time to help others is an excellent example of being a good neighbor, and contributes to our overall mission of “Leading The Way For A Safer Pinellas.”
Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Be at least 25 years of age
- Possess a valid driver license
- Successfully complete a program application
- Pass a background investigation
- Be willing to volunteer 36 hours per quarter
Once the application is completed and returned, a background check will be conducted and applicants will be scheduled for a polygraph test. Once the application process is successfully completed, approved volunteers will be scheduled to attend the 84-hour Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol Academy.
Volunteers will receive individual training for their work assignments as well as occasional training with other volunteers in a group.
How to Apply
The Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol Unit is now accepting applications.
Download the Application Here
Please submit your application via email to employment@pcsonet.com or directly to Human Resources located at the Sheriff’s Administration Building, 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
For questions, please contact the North District Community Policing Corporal Travis Roberts at 727-582-6064.
The Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol members are not sworn deputy sheriffs and will not be assigned tasks that require this status.
Duties include
- Directing traffic at crash scenes
- Issuing parking tickets
- Recovering and transporting found property
- Assisting disabled motorists
- Vacation Home Checks
- Registering local businesses with the Sheriff’s “Business Watch Program”
- Participating in community events involving the Sheriff’s Office
- Assisting the Sheriff’s Sexual Predator and Offender Tracking Unit (SPOT) with neighborhood notifications
- Providing additional security at pedestrian crosswalks
Volunteers will work in teams of two and be assigned to drive a marked “Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol” vehicle. They will learn how to respond to dispatches from the Sheriff’s Communications Center. Volunteers are also responsible for contacting the Communications Center regarding any incidents they may witness or discover while on patrol.
Under no circumstances are Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol members to become involved in a situation that should be handled by law enforcement.
Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol FAQs
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about the Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol Program.
Q. Do I need to be a full-time Pinellas County resident to volunteer in this program?
A. We welcome both full-time and seasonal residents of Pinellas County who are United States citizens to participate in our program.
Q. Do I need prior experience in law enforcement?
A. No, prior experience is not required.
Q. What would a typical schedule be for a Volunteer?
A. A routine schedule for volunteers is a four-hour shift during daylight hours. Each volunteer will be required to complete eight hours per month to participate in the program.
Q. Do I need prior experience in law enforcement?
A. No, prior experience is not required.
Q. What would a typical schedule be for a Volunteer?
A. A routine schedule for volunteers is a four-hour shift during daylight hours. Each volunteer will be required to complete eight hours per month to participate in the program.
Q. Do I have to work holidays?
A. Working holidays is not a requirement for volunteers.
Q. What if I am injured while working as a volunteer?
A. All volunteers are covered under workers' compensation provided by the sheriff’s office.
Q. Will I be responsible for purchasing my uniforms?
A. Volunteers will be issued a short-sleeve shirt with markings denoting your position as a volunteer by the sheriff’s office. In addition, you will be issued equipment necessary to complete your assignments in the program.
Q. Will I carry or be issued a firearm?
A. As a volunteer, you will not be authorized to carry any firearm while on duty. You will be issued all necessary equipment to complete your volunteer duties.
Q. Will I assist in arrests?
A. No, volunteers will not be placed in harm’s way.
Q. Will I have to testify in court?
Volunteers in this program will be certified to issue parking citations for disabled and fire lane violations. As a result of these actions you may be called upon to testify in court.
Q. Will my service have a positive impact on the community?
A. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to give back to the community through the hours you volunteer. As an involved member of our program, you will gain valuable insight into the workings of your sheriff’s office and assist us by improving the quality of the relationship we have with the community.
