Volunteers in Policing

Volunteers in Policing (ViPs) are based with police where they work to address customer service, community safety and crime prevention needs in the community. The range of tasks they undertake complements the roles and responsibilities of paid police officers and staff members. Some of these tasks include:

• Providing support to and assisting victims of crime
• Offering referrals to other agencies
• Liaising with community groups and participating in community-based activities
• Conducting home security assessments and property identification
• Managing key holders index for businesses
• Participating in crime prevention initiatives
• Assisting police with customer service
• Assisting with school-based crime prevention projects

Why volunteer?

Volunteering your time as a ViP offers you the opportunity to:

• Help police officers reduce crime and enhance community safety
• Gain personal satisfaction and sense of pride that comes from doing something worthwhile for your community
• Use your existing knowledge to help others and gain valuable new skills
• Meet new people, make new friends and get to know your local community
• Gain valuable work experience and improve your employment prospects

What are the criteria for the ViP Program?​

ViPs must meet the following criteria to pass through to the selection phase of the program:

• Be 18 years and over
• Be willing to participate in a mandatory training program
• Agree to the Queensland Police Service conducting a criminal history check
• Be prepared to participate in the ViP Program for at least 12 months
• Be committed to working the number of volunteer hours as negotiated with the Queensland Police Service.

What does the ViP training involve?

Training for all new ViPs is mandatory and will be provided by the Queensland Police Service. Training will be determined based on the activities the ViP will be undertaking.

Training may cover such areas as:

• an overview of the Queensland Police Service
• working in a policing environment
• ViP duties and responsibilities
• crime prevention and community policing strategies
• victims of crime support, and
• referral.

Upon successful completion of this training program, ViPs will begin duties at an assigned police area where they will be given any necessary job-related skills training. Ongoing training will be provided as required.

​How are volunteers selected for the program?

The recruitment of ViPs is undertaken at a Police District level on an as required basis. 

When new ViPs are required, local police will review ViP applications on hand and select candidates for the interview phase. Applicants who are successful at the interview stage will be invited to participate in the next available local training program. Successful training program participants may then be invited to join the program.

Please note: Each Police District can accommodate only a set number of ViPs and will recruit only when positions become available.

How do I join the program?

Volunteers interested in joining the ViP Program should contact the District Crime Prevention Coordinator for the area in which they reside to obtain an application form and further information about the program. These contact details can be found on the 'Contact Details' link.

Alternatively, applicants can complete this ViP Program application form and submit as outlined in the form.