Volunteering

Volunteers serve as a valuable resource who assist Sheriff's Office employees in providing quality law enforcement services to the citizens of Seminole County. The Sheriff’s Office accepts volunteers to serve in the following capacities: Citizen on Patrol (CoP), Administrative Volunteer, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Chaplain, PAY hearing officer, Intern and Victim Advocate.

• Administrative Volunteers
  Dependent on availability, administrative volunteers provide a variety of administrative assistance and are assigned to various divisions where they operate under the manager of the unit and receive training as needed.
  
  
• Chaplain Corps
  Chaplain Corps members are a part of the religious community who are available for guidance, counseling and comfort for employees and their families, as well as the public. They are members of the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
  
  
• Citizens on Patrol
  Citizens on Patrol (CoP) patrol the community in specially marked vehicles and assist deputies, when requested, with traffic control, traffic crashes, and disabled vehicles. CoPs also assist with community events, providing escort duties for funeral processions or visiting dignitaries, and helping with special assignments and operations as needed.
  
  
• Hearing Officer
  Hearing Officers are assigned to the Prosecution Alternatives for Youth (P.A.Y.) Program and assist with Teen Court. They will conduct an informal hearing with the juvenile, the parents or guardian, the victim/complainant, witnesses and law enforcement. Those selected must participate in an eight-week training program.
  
  
• Interns
  Interns are student volunteers currently enrolled in college and can commit to a 15 week Intern Program. Students are eligible to receive school credit. Applications open at the beginning of each semester.


• Reserve Deputy Sheriff
  Reserve Deputy Sheriffs, who are certified law enforcement officers, conduct routine patrol and law enforcement duties, and are often called upon to assist with securing crime scenes pending completion of investigations. Reserve deputies also assist with large scale and special events.
  
  
• Teen Court Volunteers
  Volunteering with Teen Court will give you the satisfaction of helping other youth and their families bring an end to a difficult time that has resulted from an offense committed by a juvenile. All participants benefit from their involvement with this program. Teen Court is looking for adolescents 13-17, willing to serve as an attorney or jury member. We will train all participants for their roles in Teen Court. More information can be found in the Teen Court Volunteer Procedural Manual.
  
  
• Victim Advocates
  Volunteer victim advocates assist full-time victim advocates in the Diversified Investigative Services Division by providing assistance to crime victims and their families.

All persons interested in volunteering must undergo a background check that includes fingerprinting; a local, state and national criminal history check; a driver's license check; completion of a Computerized Voice Stress Analysis and drug screen.

Community members interested in serving as a Citizen on Patrol are required to complete the 15-week Community Law Enforcement Academy. More information on our volunteer opportunities will be provided during the class.

Community members interested in serving in any volunteer capacity or for additional information regarding our volunteer programs, please contact the Human Resources Division at 407-665-6621 or by e-mailing cvelez@seminolesheriff.org.