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Citizens on Patrol (COP)

Get to know our program

The Citizens on Patrol (COP) Program is a specialized group of volunteers who:

  • Are on-call 24/7/365 to assist with patrol duties
  • Help with special events
  • Help with large incidents
  • Any other duties as requested by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office

Trained COP volunteers:

  • Respond to an average of 2,500 calls for service per year
  • Contribute thousands of hours to our community

Many of our COP volunteers are retired law enforcement/military or current public safety students at Colorado Mesa University.

Photograph of three male Volunteer workers for the Mesa County Sheriff's Office at the Touch a truck Event held at the Long Family Park, sign and Hazel Long Shelter in the background

Services

Photograph of a volunteer for the Mesa County Sheriff's Office working at event held at the Lincoln Park track

COP Volunteers assist citizens and deputies by:

  • Conducting residential home checks for people out of town/on vacation (Submit an application for a vacation home check)
  • Performing Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspections
  • School walkthroughs and safety checks
  • Serving Civil Process paperwork
  • Parade or special event appearances
  • Directing traffic and motorcade escorts for special events
  • Assisting on crime scenes (traffic-related)

Become a COP

Requirements

  • Comprehensive background check
  • Interview with COP Command Staff
  • Must contribute at least 10 hours a month to the agency
  • Attend a month-long academy twice a week
  • Once a new member completes the academy, they are issued a uniform and assigned to a Field Training Officer for additional hands-on training in the field.

Internship program

The COP program also oversees the MCSO Internship program that runs each semester.

For more information, visit our Internship Program page.

Program contacts

Are you interested in becoming a member of the COP program?

For additional information and an application please contact: