Volunteers in Police Service Program (VIPS)

The Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Program: National Initiatives, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In FY 2008, the program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within five major categories: 1) preventing crime and drug abuse; 2) enhancing local law enforcement; 3) enhancing local courts; 4) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 5) facilitating justice information sharing.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) will implement a project under Category 1: Preventing Crime and Drug Abuse. They will continue to build upon the extensive body of work accomplished to date through the Volunteers in Police Service Program. IACP will enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. They will compile information about the state of volunteerism in law enforcement; produce and create resource and educational tools; provide technical assistance to promote and support the growth of volunteerism; deliver materials and products to build the capacity of law enforcement agencies to utilize volunteers; and continually assess project activities and the state of volunteerism in law enforcement.

CA/NCF