Dunwoody Citizens on Patrol
Volunteers assist law enforcement by being an extra set of eyes and ears throughout the City.
The Citizens on Patrol program derived its roots from the concept of Community Policing and was first implemented in San Jose, California. Law enforcement agencies who have implemented the program have seen a reduction of complaints affecting quality of life, as well as a reduction of criminal activity within their communities. There has also been an enhanced understanding of, and a cooperative relationship between the public and law enforcement within communities involved with Citizens on Patrol programs.
Citizens on Patrol volunteers can immediately report suspicious activity, potential hazards and even crimes in progress to the Dunwoody Police Department. They will also perform other non-enforcement actions, such as residential checks for residents who are on vacation.
Citizen volunteers who wish to participate in the Citizens on Patrol program must be graduates of the Dunwoody Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy. Volunteer candidates will go through a background and driving history check and, upon acceptance into the program, attend mandatory training on how to identify activities that would require law enforcement intervention, such as criminal activity, suspicious activity, or public nuisance hazards. Training will also include blocks of instruction on CPR and First Aid, traffic direction, incident de-escalation, and other pertinent topics.
The Dunwoody Police Department supplies Citizens on Patrol volunteers with a uniform consisting of khaki pants and a polo shirt, which will prevent volunteers being confused with law enforcement officers. The Department also provides a black Chevrolet Tahoe that is marked “Dunwoody Citizen Patrol,” which is different from most of the silver Chevrolet Tahoes and Ford Explorers currently being driven by its sworn law enforcement officers.
For more information on this program, contact Community Outreach Officer Mark Stevens at 678-382-6917 or mark.stevens@dunwoodyga.gov.
Community Outreach Officer Stevens
