To be eligible and participate in the Odessa Police Department Programs, you must pass a background check and complete the Citizens Police Academy.  The Odessa Police Department has two volunteer programs, Volunteer in Policing (V.I.P.) and Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.)  If you just wish to learn more about your police department and how each Bureau/Division/Unit operates, you may attend the Citizens Police Academy only, you are not required to volunteer in any of the programs, however we do encourage you to; in helping make a difference in your community.

The Citizens Police Academy and each volunteer program is under the direction of the Support Services Division (Community Relations), Corporal Sherrie Carruth.

To find out more about the Volunteer programs, please visit the following links below:

• Citizens Police Academy

• Volunteer in Policing

• Citizens on Patrol