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Citizens on PatroI unit, the extra eyes and ears of the County Sheriff’s Department, is recruiting for new volunteers

(Updated: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:03 PM)

The Madera County Sheriff’s Department’s Citizens On Patrol (COPs) program is about to celebrate a decade of service as a second set of ears and eyes as they patrol 2,147 square miles of Madera County.

The unit is recruiting volunteers. Recruitment events are coming up.

Thursday March 12, 7 p.m., Chowchilla Police Department, 122 Trinity Ave.

Wednesday March 18, 7 p.m., Madera County Sheriff’s Headquarters, 14143 Road 28.

Tuesday March 24, 7 p.m. Coarsegold Elementary School, 45426 Road 415, Coarsegold.

Thursday March 26, 7 p.m., Madera Ranchos Substation, 37221 Ave. 12, Suite 1D.

Yosemite Bank in Oakhurst, 7 p.m., 40061 Highway 49, Raley’s Shopping Center.

The concept started in 1999 – one car and a couple volunteers. A decade later that one unit has grown into an entire fleet and COPs are routinely called upon to assist the Sheriff’s Boat Patrol on Bass Lake.

The organization has received numerous state and national awards. Members not only donate their time but pay for their training and uniforms. Every member serves the organization for a certain amount of time each month, patrolling their designated beats in a COPs marked patrol car.

Anyone interested in applying for a position with COPs may attend the recruitment sessions or call COPs Coordinators CSO Stephanie Clark (559) 645-6026, CSO Joann Evans (559) 658-2555 or CSO Linda Cuthbert (559) 675-7770.

For more information bout our Community Service Officers and ‘Citizen On Patrol’ log on to the Madera County Sheriff’s Webpage at http://www.madera-county.com/sheriff/ and click on ‘Community Outreach.’