Hundreds of Volunteers Make the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department Work

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is always in need of volunteers. Last year, 387 volunteers logged 49,471 hours. At $25.68 per hour, LCSO volunteers provided almost $1.3 million in services at no cost.

Here are the different ways that you can volunteer:

Reserve Deputies

The Reserve Deputy Program is a volunteer unit of the Operation Services Division and augments the full time deputies in the jail, transportation, patrol, and investigations. There are currently 27 reserve deputies who commit to volunteer at least 20 hours per month. Duties include: patrol, crime scene security, community events, investigations, jail, transportation, hospital security, and special events. Reserve deputy applicants go through the same hiring process as full time deputies and are required to attend the reserve academy.

Jail Volunteers

The Larimer County Jail utilized 213 volunteers in 2015. Seven of them have been volunteering at the jail for more than 20 years and one has been volunteering for 31 years. Services provided by jail volunteers include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, GED tutoring, stress management, and various church and bible study groups. The purpose of these programs is to reduce recidivism. 3,840 volunteer hours were logged in 2014.

Sheriff's Auxiliary

The Sheriff's Auxiliary Unit recruits volunteers from the community to bring together law enforcement and citizens in the interest of safety and security in homes, schools, offices, and neighborhoods. The SAU volunteers work in three key areas: crime prevention, community safety, and LCSO administration. They provide training to neighbors on starting Neighborhood Watch programs, attend school and safety events to promote child safety and crime prevention education, organize an annual Christmas event for under privileged kids, and assist with the LCSO Citizens Academy.

Sheriff's Posse

The Sheriff's Posse provides security for the Larimer County Fair and Rodeo and CSU football games. They assist with search and rescue and in other situations in which deputies on horseback have advantages over those in vehicles or on foot. The Posse delivers presents for Santa Cops and helps with the Annual Sheriff's Kids Christmas Party.

Victim Response Team

The Sheriff's Office Victim Response Team was established to provide services for victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These volunteers are provided in-depth and ongoing training to provide support and resources for victims of crime. VRT members provide on-scene assistance, emotional support, and information regarding legal rights and assistance.

Larimer County Search & Rescue, Inc.

Larimer County Search and Rescue, Inc. incorporated in 1979 as a nonprofit charitable organization. The sheriff is responsible for search and rescue by Colorado State Statute and LCSAR operates under the authority of the sheriff via a memorandum of understanding to provide search and rescue services for Larimer County. In 2015, LCSAR logged 17,324 hours by 40 active members. Those hours include missions, training (in the field and classroom), fund raising, and public education events in the community.

Larimer County Dive Rescue Team

The Larimer County Dive Rescue Team was founded in 1972. Their primary mission is the rescue and/or recovery of people and property involved in water related incidents. The team is composed of civilians as well as personnel from various emergency response agencies in Larimer County, all of which are volunteers. LCDRT is a private, nonprofit organization that operates under the authority of the Larimer County Sheriff. In 2015, LCDRT had 28 active volunteers who trained in swift water rescue, ice rescue/diving and public safety diver.

Explorers

LCSO Explorer Post 909 is designed for youths between the ages of 15 1/2 and 20 years old. The post gives youth the opportunity to learn more about careers in law enforcement. In addition, Post 909 places an emphasis on skills such as leadership, networking, communication, and team building. Explorers volunteer their time to assist LCSO staff during training, community events, and community education.

Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol

Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol is a registration unit of the National Ski Patrol System Inc. and a private non-profit corporation that provides search and rescue services, including but not limited to snow rescue and evacuation techniques, avalanche search, rescue and recovery techniques, and wilderness safety and avalanche education courses here in Larimer County.

Emergency Services Support Group

The Emergency Services Support Group is comprised of members that have been part of the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team, Larimer County Search and Rescue Team, Fire Crew, or Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol. The Support Group assists Emergency Services on incidents by operating ATVs, snowmobiles, the snow-cat, four wheel drive vehicles, and the command van. They help support a mission by delivering food and other logistical items and support during an incident. They accompany ES personnel on calls late at night and/or in bad weather so there is more than one person out on the call.