FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 30, 2002
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Department of Justice
Attorney General
202-514-2007 |
Attorney General Ashcroft Announces Citizen Corps' Volunteers in Police Service Initiative |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorney General John Ashcroft today launched the Citizen
Corps' Volunteers in Police Service (VIPs) initiative. The VIPs program is a
response to President George W. Bush's call to all Americans to dedicate time to
serving our communities and our nation, and is one of several opportunities
emerging through the new Citizen Corps initiative to enhance local homeland
security efforts and make emergency preparedness a part of our daily lives.
"The efforts of these volunteers enable officers to stay on the front lines
where they are needed most," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "Through
programs such as Volunteers in Police Service, volunteers can assist police in
performing routine duties which are necessary to the efficient operation of
their departments. Though the work may not be glamorous, it is essential."
Volunteers who participate in VIPs programs assist departments by performing
non-sworn duties such as answering phones, compiling crime data, preparing
incident reports, and facilitating crime prevention programs. VIPs is the first
program to bring together law enforcement volunteer programs nationwide to share
resources and support each other's efforts. This national initiative assists
state and local law enforcement agencies by increasing the number of law
enforcement volunteers, expanding or improving various components of existing
programs, and aiding agencies without VIPs programs to establish them.
"President Bush created his USA Freedom Corps initiative to help Americans
respond to the terrorist attacks of September 11 with acts of kindness and
compassion," said John Bridgeland, Director of the USA Freedom Corps, the White
House coordinating council that oversees the Citizen Corps and its programs.
"Programs like VIPs create new opportunities for citizens to get involved."
Ashcroft also unveiled
www.policevolunteers.org, a comprehensive website developed by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to support the VIPs
program. "The website coordinates information from VIPs programs in our local
communities to create a nationwide resource," said William Berger, President of
the IACP. "It provides information about all VIPs programs, and allows law
enforcement agencies and volunteers alike to communicate in order to improve
their programs and create more opportunities for volunteer services."
Citizens are encouraged to visit
www.policevolunteers.org to find out how they can become involved in
VIPS programs in their communities.
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