The City of Elk Grove is fortunate to have some of the best volunteers working in the Police Department and throughout Elk Grove. Not only do our volunteers save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars—their service to the department is an intangible asset to the community.
Community Ambassadors
Community Ambassadors are a part of a social action initiative aimed at better connecting the City of Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Police Department with the communities they serve.
Community Ambassadors are local volunteers that represent the City of Elk Grove. Their role is to serve as a community liaison, providing a direct point of communication with our residents and creating awareness of events and opportunities within our community. The Community Ambassador will also act as a representative of the PD, answering general questions and providing contact information for specific departments and outlining the processes for frequent questions or issues.
This position is a new partnership between the City of Elk Grove, the Elk Grove Police Department, and the residents of Elk Grove. Community Ambassadors volunteer primarily in the evenings and on weekends and are the true representatives of Elk Grove!
VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service)
The Elk Grove Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) are an important part of the team and we are truly grateful for all of their devoted service. Our VIPS allow the department to provide an even higher level of prompt, courteous service to all the citizens of Elk Grove.
The VIPS are true community leaders; their dedication and service to the Elk Grove Police Department and the City of Elk Grove is outstanding. We have over 50 VIPS who collectively average over 1,000 hours of service to the PD every month—assisting in over 20 different departments!
Please read more about the services the VIPS directly provide to Elk Grove residents:
Residential Vacation Checks
The Elk Grove Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), in partnership with the Police Department, provide a Residential Vacation Check program for Elk Grove residents. Before going on vacation, residents may submit a Residential Vacation Check application. While residents are on vacation, the VIPS patrol will visit registered houses in a marked vehicle, checking front and back yards, windows, and doors.
The volunteer patrol team has been trained to notice any inconsistencies in the appearance of houses that may be a symptom of a home burglary. Upon return, residents receive a copy of the logs that were kept by the VIPS patrol team. This service is provided free of charge to residents within the City of Elk Grove.
Fingerprinting
****Currently, we are not offering fingerprinting due to construction. Please check back soon! ****
The Service Center provides fingerprinting of individuals for most application processes. There is a $15.00 charge per fingerprint card. Please call the Service Center for hours and availability: (916) 478-8100.
Fraud Prevention Training
The Elk Grove Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program provides in-person fraud prevention seminars for older adults who live in Elk Grove. Seminar topics include avoiding becoming a victim of scams targeting older adults and identity theft. During the holiday season, a holiday scam seminar is offered. A fraud prevention helpline is available to those who suspect they have been a scam or identity theft target and need guidance.
For help with a suspected scam or identity theft, fraud prevention seminar information, or to schedule a seminar for your group, contact us at the EGPD Elder Fraud Prevention helpline at (916) 478-8282 or elderfraud@elkgrovepd.org.
Additionally, VIPS serve in the following departments:
- Administration
- Animal Control
- Call-out Team
- Code Enforcement
- Dispatch
- Equipment and Purchasing
- Forensics
- Information Technology
- Investigations
- Patrol
- Problem Oriented Policing
- Property and Evidence
- Records
- Service Center
- Traffic, and Training
Become a Volunteer
At this time, we are recruiting exclusively for Community Ambassadors. As volunteer opportunities within the Police Department VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) become available, the PD will recruit directly from the pool of active Community Ambassadors.
Basic Community Ambassador Volunteer Requirements
- 18 years or older
- Citizen or legal resident of the United States
- Valid CA Driver’s License or CA State ID
- Good moral character, no felony convictions
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner
- Attend an introduction session and complete initial training session
- Commit to 4 hours per month
- Attend 4 trainings per meetings a year
For additional information or questions, please contact Police Volunteer Coordinator Molly Patterson at (916) 627-3708 or mpatterson@elkgrovepd.org.
Learn more about Community Ambassadors
Submit a Community Ambassador Application
Our volunteers are individuals who perform service to the City of Elk Grove / Elk Grove Police Department without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation. While volunteering is a wonderful way to gain experience, please note that volunteering with the Elk Grove Police Department is not a guarantee of employment with the City of Elk Grove.