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Private citizens are eyes and ears of Sheriff's Department

Tiffany Tuell

(Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Dave and Susan Myers were traveling the country and living the retirement dream when, after 10 years, they decided they needed something more.

The Myers joined the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary but still had time to spare so in September 2004, they signed up for training to become Citizens on Patrol with the Madera County Sheriff's Department.

"After 29 years with emergency services and my wife's career in computer sales, we thought we had some skills to offer," said Dave, who retired from a Southern California fire department.

They went through the 40-hour training taught by the Madera County Sheriff's Department in which they are taught traffic control, defensive driving, first aid and CPR, communications, safety issues and policies followed by field training. They also went through 40 hours of Civilian Emergency Response Team training.

By November 2004, two months after signing up, the Myers were out patrolling Mountain Area roads and communities. If needed, they are called to respond to emergencies such as Search and Rescue attempts for drownings and lost hikers in the summer and lost hunters in the winter. They also conduct traffic control for parades and even guard crime scenes.

"We are basically gophers," Dave said. He said their job includes everything from getting coffee and sandwiches for Search and Rescue missions, to taking the 31-foot motorhome command post to emergency scenes.

After six years as a C.O.P. and with his background in emergency services, Dave is now a Field Training Officer due to his experience, time on duty and job performance.

Helping the local community through safety is something Dave thinks is very important.

"The officers need help and the county needs help," he said. "Basically we're just the eyes and ears out on the road and when something goes on we can call it in and become witnesses. If we observe something wrong, we call it in, we don't approach people. We are trained to observe and with radio communication, get help as soon as possible."

Because C.O.P.s are trained only to report, Susan said she has never felt unsafe while patrolling.

"You have radio contact all the time," she said. "If you're confident in yourself, you'll be confident in what you're doing and with support from deputies it's not a problem."

There are currently 32 C.O.P.s throughout Madera County and more are always needed. The program was started in 2000 and, according to the COPS website, the program saved the Sheriff's Department $99,000 in its first year of existence.

Requirements to become a C.O.P. are:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a background investigation
• Complete a medical waiver
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Complete the Citizen Police Academy
• Complete a field training program
• Purchase initial uniform
• Be able to donate 8 hours of service monthly

"We couldn't do most of what we do without the volunteers," Sheriff John Anderson said. "We don't expect them to enforce the law but for them to call in when something's not right. They do so much for us...things we would have to pull deputies for and sometimes can't. It's hard to imagine how we'd get by without them."

If interested in becoming a C.O.P., contact JoAnn Evans (559) 658-2555, Stephanie Clark (559) 675-7700 or Linda Cuthbert (559) 675-7770 or visit their website at nacop.org/madera/aboutus.htm