'Citizens on Patrol' program spurs community involvement

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department's Citizens on Patrol program is thriving.

After kicking off two years ago, the COPS program now boasts 15 trained civilian volunteers roving the streets. To top that, there are 22 general volunteers juggling various police department duties.

"This program is an outstanding example of citizen involvement and participation in the safety of our community," said Police Chief Wayne Longo.

After training at the department's COPS Academy, participants help deter crime by patrolling streets, parks, malls and areas of high traffic complaints in a marked COPS vehicle. They have authority to issue parking citations.

They've done their jobs well.

In 2010, COPS volunteers logged 1,381 hours of patrol time.

In that time, they wrote 570 parking citations and responded to 760 calls of abandoned vehicles on city streets.

They also conducted radar patrols for speeders, and notified violators by mail with a friendly warning.

On top of all that, they assisted police with traffic control for a plane crash on westbound I-90, and helped with traffic control during the Westboro Baptist Church demonstrations.

They lent a hand at a mock accident scenario at the Coeur d'Alene High School, and assisted at the Christmas parade and the HOGS motorcycle event.

"It is citizen participation at its finest," Longo said.

Started in 2008, the program had first been studied for implementation during the police department's strategic plan development in 2005.

The goal was to improve efficiency, enhance public safety and continue a high level of service during budget shortfalls and a recession.

Paul McGraw, a retired sergeant from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department acts as the coordinator for the COPS program as well as the field training officer.

Wally Connally, an 18-year volunteer of the police department, a retired U.S. Army major who served at the Battle of the Bulge, and retired from the county of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and Superior Court, serves as the civilian volunteer coordinator.

The COPS Academy is held every year in September. Applications are available to individuals 21 years of age or older with no felony record.

Information: 769-2363

Sgt. Christie Wood is the public information officer for the Coeur d'Alene Police Department.