Volunteer opportunities
About the Program
The Volunteers in Police Support (VIPS) program allows community members to assist the Maryland State Police by taking on non-enforcement tasks, enabling troopers to focus on their sworn duties. Since its inception in 1985 with just 3 volunteers, VIPS has grown to over 100 volunteers supporting more than 90% of Maryland State Police barracks and units statewide.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with crime prevention and community outreach
- Processing traffic citations and reports
- Entering data for DUI, seat belt, pawn, and speed enforcement records, as well as traffic stop documentation and other related needs
- Supporting the Police Academy by acting in training scenarios
- Helping with photography, filing, or clerical work
- Leading barrack and facility tours
Volunteers may work in barracks, the Police Academy, Human Resources, Central Records, or other MDSP divisions.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have good moral character
- Have no criminal convictions
- Have a clean driving record
- Be physically and mentally able to perform assigned duties
- Pass a background check
Every volunteer receives on-the-job training for their specific tasks. Applicants may be rejected for not meeting requirements or if their behavior/characteristics are deemed inconsistent with program goals by the Barrack/Unit/Division Commander, VIPS Coordinator, Assistant Commander, or Human Resources Division.
Benefits
- Volunteers may ride along with troopers as part of their duties
- Volunteers are provided limited coverage by the Injured Workers Insurance Fund (IWIF) for injuries sustained while performing volunteer duties