Bear Valley Police Department honors ‘VIPS’ and Explorers at awards ceremony
Bear Valley Police Department honors ‘VIPS’ and Explorers at awards ceremony
By: Carin Enovijas, Tehachapi News Editor
Topics: Bear Valley, police
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 945 times
0 responses 0 comments An awards banquet for the Bear Valley Police Departments’ Citizen Volunteers and Youth Explorer Post was held at the Oak Tree Country Club on Saturday, April 21.
The Volunteers In Police Service, or “VIPS” was started three years ago and now has 13 citizen volunteers and 15 Police Explorers, a branch of the Boy Scouts that offers youth, both male and female, the opportunity to learn about law enforcement as a possible career path.
According to Sgt. Ray Cotta, coordinator in charge of volunteers services, citizen volunteers do numerous things, including patrol checks on resident’s homes when they’re away on vacation, they can deliver evidence to crime lab or transport a prisoner, work the front counter or special events as well as helping to limit property damage in public areas such as bus stops.
“We have a wonderful group of volunteers and explorers who all contribute measurable to the success of the police department and the security of the community,” Cotta said, adding, “I don’t know how we did without it before.”
Assistant volunteer coordinators Becky Rice and Roberta Miller arranged the awards dinner at the Oak Tree Country Club, setting the theme with Police Explorer Amanda Carroll of Explorer Post 320 singing the National Anthem, followed by a presentation of the post’s many accomplishments and awards received at the National Explorer Conference held in Arizona last summer.
Becky Rice said the Volunteer Service Awards were created by President Bush in 2003, for service and civic participation and to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our nation.
The President’s Call to Service Award was presented to Jacquelynn Burkholder for more than 4,200 hours of service and Jean Moore, who also received a Lifetime Achievement award for more than 5,200 hours of service.
Roberta Miller and Penny Thomas were honored with Silver Service Awards, and Jerry Burkholder, Sherman Thomas, Pat Kelley, BJ Mitchell and Al Dameron were all presented with Bronze Service Awards. Eight additional awards were also presented for service in 2005, since the awards were not ready in time for last year’s ceremony.
“This event that wouldn’t have been possible without the generous donations of many PD supporters. A long list of names should follow, recognizing those individuals who exhibited excellence in their duties, most of which are 100 percent volunteered,” said Sgt. Dave Watts. “On behalf of Chief Freeman and the entire BVPD, we sincerely say, thanks for being part of our team.”
The Bear Valley Police VIPS are always looking for committed new additions to their unit. If you are interested and would like more information, contact: Lt. A. Dameron at 821-1157 or VIPS Captain R. Miller at 747-7344.
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