Citizen Volunteer Program Saves CPD Time and Money
Post Date:05/24/2022 9:32 AMMembers of the Citizens Volunteer Program, a community service division of the Collierville Police Department, donate their time to perform routine duties for the CPD. Their assistance gives commissioned Police Officers more time for crime prevention and reduction. The CVP is not only an invaluable asset to the CPD, but to the whole Collierville community.
The program members have been affectionately nicknamed the “Gray Shirts.” The name originated from their Police issued uniforms that come with gray shirts instead of the standard blue Police shirt. The volunteers also drive Police cars that have yellow emergency lights instead of blue.
The division, which currently has 26 volunteers, started with two volunteers in 1993 after the Collierville community began looking for more resources from the Police Department. Applicants must be able to pass multiple thorough background checks and also must have a driver’s license and cleaning driving record to join the CVP. The CVP puts in over 8000 hours of work a year saving the CPD $625,000 annually.
“Each member must put in a minimum amount of 16 hours per month. At over 8000 hours a year, we pass that by leaps and bounds,” said CVP Captain Bob Speroff.
Typical duties for CVP volunteers include vacation checks on houses, assisting in motorist calls, delivering meals to families in need, traffic duty at special events, citizen wellness home checks, and many other important tasks.
During citizen wellness checks, CVP members spend time talking with homebound residents and help to take care of their other needs.
“We will help them if their utilities have been turned off, if they need prescriptions picked up, if they need food – we often become mediators for them,” said member Bill Arnold.
The CVP also delivers meals from the Collierville Food Pantry to seniors and disabled individuals that are unable to drive, making sure that no one in Collierville goes hungry.
“It is a privilege for me to be out in the community helping others in need,” said Arnold of his service.
Vacation checks are one of the most popular services provided by the CVP. Volunteers make home checks when homeowners are out of town to ensure that everything on their property is safe. Find more information and sign up for a vacation check at colliervilletn.gov/vacationcheck.
If you see a “Gray Shirt” make sure to thank them for the countless contributions they have made to the Town. There is no doubt that they have made Collierville a safer and happier community the last 29 years. Return to full list >>
