Volunteers

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety has a Reserve Officer Program as well as a Retired Senior Volunteer program. Both positions assist the patrol Division with numerous activities, including special events, traffic details and public relation activities. There are specific roles for each of these volunteer positions and individuals seeking volunteer opportunities must meet the qualifications set forth by the Department in order to serve as a volunteer.

  

RSVP

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program began in 2005. The program was implemented to create senior involvement with our agency and within the community.  The senior volunteers participate in many activities which include: Vacation home checks, elementary school patrol, delivery of subpoenas, handicap parking enforcement and property maintenance enforcement.  While this is not a complete list of the volunteer duties, it provides a glimpse at the numerous tasks they have.  Because of these individuals, the entire community is receiving more detailed and efficient public safety services.

Each year RSVPs dedicate in excess of 2000 hours to our agency.  Their contributions are greatly appreciated by the department.  We hope to continue to work in partnership with the senior volunteers, and continue to improve upon the overall quality of life in the City of Grand Haven.

 

Each RSVP attends a monthly training just to have the privilege of serving our community.  Their level of dedication and commitment is what defines the true spirit of community volunteerism that our Grand Haven Retired Seniors embodies, both individually and as a group.   

 

Over the last few years, Grand Haven Public Safety Volunteer Officers have been at the scene of almost every major event the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety has faced; offering valuable assistance to our officers and staff.  These volunteer officer assignments may include directing traffic, providing perimeter security at a major crime scene, parking and code enforcement and serving subpoenas.  RSVPs also assist the agency by reporting and assisting with hazardous conditions such as traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, missing signs and poor road conditions.  They also represent the agency at the elementary schools and nearly every community event.   
 

It is difficult to quantify the extent of the contribution that our citizen volunteers make to our community. We do know that without their help, we would not be able to offer such superior services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Grand Haven. On behalf of all the men and women of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our citizen volunteers for their contribution to our success.

 

Reserve Officer

The GHDPS Reserve Officer Program was instituted in early 2005.  The program is a volunteer, uniformed and armed position.  The Reserve Unit is an all-volunteer organization committed to assisting the Department and the City of Grand Haven with a wide variety of assignments.  They are civilian personnel who assist the Public Safety Department with community events.  They conduct specialized Reserve Officer patrols, assist with the annual U.S. Coast Guard Festival and are available for call-outs.

 

Each Reserve Officer attends a 142 hour reserve field training, just to be able to serve in this capacity, which includes being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  That level of dedication and commitment is what defines the true spirit of community volunteerism that our reserve officers embody, both individually and as a group.

 

A typical Reserve Officer performs at least 8-12 hours of service each month.  A Reserve Officer can volunteer to work more than the minimum 8 hours a month if they choose and many of our more experienced officers work regularly scheduled hours on special assignments.