About the Auxiliary Patrol
The Carroll county Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Patrol is a volunteer organization comprised of a diverse group of men and women dedicated to serving the Sheriff and the citizens of Carroll County. As trained and skilled professionals, the provide direct assistance and operational support to the Sheriff's Office and its Deputies, performing a wide range of duties. Candidates undergo the same extensive background check and selection process as the Sheriff's deputies, however the Auxiliary Patrol are not sworn law enforcement officers and do not have arrest authority. They are held accountable to the highest standards of honesty, ethics and integrity that you expect from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. These volunteer positions require a minimum commitment of (16) sixteen hours of service per month. Auxiliary Patrol Officers are dedicated to excellence and apply the sheriff's core values of trust, fairness and commitment, promoting pride, service and public safety. Our mission isto provide a safe environment and enhance the quality of life consistent with the values of our community.
Selected recruits receive free uniforms (approved by the Sheriff and readily distinguishable from the uniform of sworn deputy sheriffs), training and equipment that is issued as needed to perform assigned duties.
The Auxiliary Patrol program provides a unique opportunity for the right individual. Our standards are high and the responsibilities are demanding. The satisfaction that you experience knowing you make a difference in your community as a volunteer law enforcement officer cannot be measured.
We are currently accepting applications to fill a limited number of Auxiliary Patrol Volunteer positions.
History
The Auxiliary Patrol program was created in 2006 to assist the Sheriff's Deputies and other law enforcement agencies with traffic control at accidents, special events and road closings, in addition to conducting business, school and residential patrol checks. The Auxiliary Patrol continues to expand its duties and services with additional in-service training and certifications. Many of our officers are certified through the Maryland Crime Prevention Institute, located at the Maryland Police Training facility in Sykesville, to conduct Residential Crime Security Surveys for the citizens of Carroll County. These valuable surveys are free of charge and are available by clicking the link above or contacting the Sheriff's Office.
Other certifications include the operation and deployment of the office SMART Speed Awareness Trailers, and all terrain vehicles. Each year Auxiliary Officers successfully complete in-service training in First Aid/CPR/AED recertification. Several Auxiliary Officers have received official commendations and awards recognizing their dedication to duty and the quality of the services they provide. Duties and services preformed over the last two years include responding to several emergency activations, 85 special events, DUI checkpoints, a presidential motorcade detail, road patrol assignments, fingerprinting well over 600 people, providing over 8,000 hours of volunteer service to the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Carroll County. Currently we have 11 Auxiliary Officers in the program. Since its inception, two Auxiliary Officers elected to pursue law enforcement careers and were accepted and graduated from the academy. They are currently serving as deputies with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.
We take extreme pride in our accomplishments and strive for excellence performing our duty to protect and serve our community.
Qualifications
The minimum qualifications required are:
- Must be a U.S. citizen at least (18) years of age
- Possess a valid Maryland Drivers License with a good driving history
- Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions
- Have and maintain a residential telephone
- Be capable of providing a minimum of sixteen service hours each month
- Successfully complete the Auxiliary Patrol selection process.
Selection Process
Applicants appointed as an Auxiliary Patrol Officer shall be required to successfully complete a medical examination, certifying that they possess the ability to perform the duties required of their anticipated position.
Auxiliary Patrol applicants must successfully complete and submit the following items:
- Application Form
- Carroll County Sheriff's Office Personal History Questionnaire
- Release of Information Form;
- Waiver of Liability Form
Background Investigation to include:
- Criminal history & records check
- Motor vehicle records check
- Reference check
Duties and Training
Duties
Auxiliary Patrol Officers may be assigned any of the following responsibilities based upon their individual education, skills and experience.
Administrative Support
Variety of clerical duties to include:
- Updating agency report ledger;
- Updating, searching and organizing agency files
- Word processing, typing or data entry;
- PSA, receptionist or secretarial duties;
- Perform courier duties
Citizen Fingerprinting Program
Fingerprint and complete the required reporting information on fingerprint cards and collect the necessary funds from citizens requesting fingerprint services.
Auxiliary Patrol
Assist the Patrol Division with support duties, which include but not limited to:
- Directing traffic at accident scenes or inoperative traffic signals
- Directing traffic during special events
- Provide logistical support during sobriety checkpoints
- Mitigate roadway hazards
- Retrieve and store abandoned property
- Patrol senior citizen facilities and housing complexes
- Make presentations about the "Auxiliary Patrol Program" to community
- Deploy Office SMART Speed Awareness Trailers
- Business, school and residential patrol checks
- Assist disabled motorists
- Render emergency services during natural disasters, floods, snowstorms
- Assist in searches for missing persons
Training
All Auxiliary Patrol Officers receive an initial orientation and facilities familiarization, that includes a review of appropriate Carroll County Sheriff's Office Policy and Procedures.
Specialized training includes but is not limited to the following subjects:
- Sheriff's Office Mission, Values & Rules of Conduct Authority
- Office Organization & Command
- Auxiliary Patrol Officer Duties & Responsibilities
- Report Writing & Internal Communications
- Radio & Telephone Communications
- Crime Prevention & Community Surveys
- Fingerprinting
- FirstResponderTraining
- Vehicle Operations
- Patrol Operations
- Traffic Direction & Control
- Emergency Situations and assisting at public events
- Community Policing
- Crime Scene Search and Protection
- Police Ethics
- Court Testimony
- Firearm Safety
- ATV Certification
- Office SMART Speed Awareness Trailer Certification
- Residential Crime Security Survey Certification
Auxiliary Patrol Officers shall receive on the job training within their designated work assignment and appropriate to the duties anticipated for their assigned position.
Residential Crime Security Survey
Auxiliary Patrol Officers have successfully completed the Residential Crime Prevention Training course through the Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute. The MCCPI is a formally organized unit of state government which is administered by the Maryland Police Training Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services located in Sykesville, Maryland.
The Auxiliary Officers are certified to conduct Residential Crime Security Surveys as a proactive approach to crime prevention through awareness and education. The survey is completed in about thirty minutes providing recommendations involving the residence door and window system locks, lighting, shrubbery and security habits. Operation I.D. is also discussed and recommended. Preventing the citizens of Carroll County from becoming a victim of a crime of opportunity is our primary goal. The survey is offered free of charge by contacting the Carroll County Sheriff's Office at 410-386-2900 or by email to Auxiliary Patrol.
