Citizens on Patrol

Training

Applicants must complete a 12 hour block of training on Texas Penal Code sections, patrol procedures, incident response, and basic radio usage. They will then ride with one of our police officers for 8 hours. Which gives them a basic understanding of calls for service and situations the officers must handle. Trainees will then complete field training with a certified COPs instructor. When all phases of training are completed, they receive a COPS identification card and required equipment items. They are then eligible to patrol with a partner. COPS members must also attend an upcoming Citizen Police Academy.

Equipment

Members patrol in their own vehicles with no emergency equipment on them. They are forbidden to carry weapons of any type even if they are licensed concealed carry permit holders. They are trained to observe and report criminal activity safely, not try to stop it. Volunteers have four marked and assigned patrol vehicles that are equipped with jumper cables, flares, traffic cones, and a first aid kit. They use portable radios for communication and have a dedicated channel for use by patrollers. This allows direct communication with patrol officers and police dispatch. The patroller's telephone numbers are programmed into the Communicator program. This allows large numbers of volunteers to be called out quickly, and directly to command posts or other assembly points for deployment.

Recognition

Citizens On Patrol volunteers are an integral part of the Midland Police Department. Our volunteers work in conjunction with our uniformed patrol division with the common goal of making Midland a better place to live and work. They have been widely accepted and utilized by officers on the street. The program volunteers are recognized at an annual banquet dinner for their contributions to our community.