Buckeye, AZ – The Buckeye Police Department is actively recruiting residents to join its Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) program, offering an opportunity for volunteers to play a vital role in keeping the community safe. C.O.P. volunteers drive marked vehicles through assigned neighborhoods, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and helping to deter crime.
“You drive around, wave at people, and you’re making a difference by adding more eyes and ears in the community,” says Dan Kupsky, captain of the Verrado C.O.P. program.
C.O.P. volunteers patrol three major areas of Buckeye: Buckeye town proper, Verrado/Victory, and Festival/North Buckeye. While volunteers are not armed and do not have law enforcement authority, their presence helps prevent crime and report any suspicious behavior to the police. Volunteers also assist with tasks such as traffic control during accidents, freeing up officers to respond to other calls.
“You’re helping keep an eye on your community, and you get to assist with things like traffic control at accident scenes,” says Kupsky, a retired officer with 30 years of experience from the Redding Police Department in California.
No prior law enforcement experience is needed to become a C.O.P. volunteer. Eligibility requirements include being a Buckeye resident, passing a background check, drug test, and driving test, and completing fingerprinting. Volunteers will receive uniforms, radio communication training, and will patrol with experienced members of the C.O.P. team.
C.O.P. volunteer duties include patrolling at least six hours per month, working in teams of two, attending meetings and training sessions, and maintaining the volunteer vehicle. Volunteers are asked to patrol in shifts of two to three hours and complete necessary paperwork at the end of each shift.
“The more you give, the more you get,” says Kupsky. “People love seeing us out there—they wave, and they know we’re here to help keep them safe.”
For those interested in becoming a C.O.P. volunteer, please contact Police Program Coordinator Don McWilliams at [email protected] or call 623-349-6459.
