The Scarborough Police Department is about ready to roll out a volunteer program that will let community members help police officers with a variety of tasks.

Organizers hope to have the programming running by this summer and are now in the process of interviewing the approximately 20 people who have volunteered. Applications will be accepted on an on going basis, according to Tammy Keimach, volunteer coordinator for the program.

The program, called Volunteers In Police Service, was started by the federal government in 2002 to help foster a sense of responsibility and citizenship among residents. The program is one of several organized under the umbrella of the USA Freedom Corps and is administered by the International Association of Police Chiefs with the assistance of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the US Department of Justice. There are about 1,200 VIPS program now operating in the U.S. with a total of 76,000 volunteers.

“VIPS is something that can benefit everyone,” Keimach said. “Not only is an alliance between community and police crucial, but ultimately, public safety will be enhanced by the use of the trained volunteers since the VIPS can free up some of the officers’ time, thus allowing them to focus on areas where they are needed most.”

Scarborough Police Officer Joe Giacomantonio is responsible for bringing the program to Scarborough and received an $11,000 grant to start the program. The money will help get the program started and fund some of the volunteer training, uniforms, and other related materials.

“I think it’s going to be a great benefit with little or no cost to it,” he said, adding that it will allow the department to have officers focus on police duties.

About 20 people have applied to volunteer, which Giacomantonio said is a good number especially considering that there has not been a big marketing push for the program.

“I think it’s a good number,” he said. “Hopefully out of that most are acceptable.”

The interviews now under way are to ensure that the volunteers do not have anything in their background that may preclude them from doing the work.

Some of the things the volunteers in the department will do include paperwork, transcription, traffic control and parking lot patrol. Each duty undertaken by the volunteers is considered non-hazardous and, depending on the task, they will receive specialized training. Some of the duties may require as much as 40 hours of training, such as child passenger safety seat checks.

However, if a person becomes combative with a volunteer, the volunteer will notify the police who will then handle the situation.

“I think once its truly operational the benefits will be huge to everybody,” Keimach said.

Keimach is not a member of the Scarborough Police Department, but volunteered for the job because she felt her background in business administration and accounting could be valuable. She has volunteered throughout her life and as a new Scarborough resident, wanted to volunteer in the town.

All volunteers for the program must be at least 18 years old. They also must be willing to volunteer at least eight hours a month. So far most of the volunteers are retirees, Keimach said, adding that their life experiences will be beneficial in the position.

“The more diverse the better because it enables different input onto the program,” Keimach said.

To volunteer or to learn more about the VIPS program contact Keimach at 883-7760 ext. 847.

“It’s really a wonderful program,” Keimach said. “We have really high hopes this program will continue forever.”