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Community Volunteer Opportunities
There are numerous ways in which you can get involved with the police department in a volunteer capacity. It is the policy of the Burlington Police Department to use qualified, well-trained, properly-vetted volunteers to perform specific tasks to improve efficiency and increase the productivity of existing sworn and civilian staff.
Volunteers are people who perform services that are not sworn officers for the Burlington Police Department without promise, expectations, or receipt of payment for services rendered. This may include but is not limited to chaplains, Police Explorers, interns, or any other person that performs a defined job, task, or service that has been approved by the chief of police or designee. Any person who has completed the Community Police Academy or is scheduled to complete the Community Police Academy within one year of application is eligible to become a Community Police Volunteer. Applicants who do not meet the qualifications may request an exemption in writing. Requirements may be waived or modified at the discretion of the chief of police. Apply here.
We have listed some of the volunteer opportunities below, but these are not the only options:
Community Police Volunteers: A qualified citizen volunteer, who has completed the department's Citizens Academy, performs specific, approved tasks for the department. For more information, contact Greg Seel.
Victim/ Witness Assistance Volunteer: A volunteer who has received specific training in the area of victim's assistance to include domestic violence (DV), court liaison, community outreach, and other related forms of assistance that involve victims of crimes. For more information, contact Staci Harris.
The Burlington Motorist Assistance Program (BMAP) will assist stranded motorists within city limits (excluding interstate) with several services related to stranded vehicles. It’s designed to keep our roads safe, provide traffic control, and allow the department to utilize volunteers to reduce the demand for officers.
Burlington Motorist Assistance Program in Action BMAP volunteers are uniquely positioned to support the department by reallocating officers to higher priority calls for service. BMAP volunteers will respond to dispatched and officer-initiated calls for service and aid the officer on the scene by:
Block oncoming traffic with BMAP vehicle
Provide traffic control
Set up cones, flares, and/or barricades
Direct responding EMS, Fire, or Wreckers to the scene
Vehicle lock-outs
BMAP will be scheduled during times of highest demand for police services involving motor vehicle accidents. All volunteers must apply and complete BMAP training, including Motor Vehicle Crash Scene Management, Traffic Control, and Emergency Response Protocols.
Burlington Motorist Assistance Program Vehicles BMAP vehicles are equipped with specialized tools, including:
Traffic Cones
Flares
Reflectors
Crime Scene tape
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit and supplies
PPE
Bottled Water
Cooler
Measuring device
Marking paint
Barricades
Emergency Response Guidebook
Flashlight
50/100-foot rope
Jump Box
Push Brooms
Shovels
Lock-out tools
Impact Wrench/Lug Wrench
Assorted hand tools
Are you interested in joining our team? Apply to become a BMAP volunteer today!
An ordained pastor who volunteers their services to assist all employees of the department in matters of religious or spiritual counseling, victim assistance, and outreach into the community.
The Burlington Police Department hosts interns from various educational venues. The following guideline will assist you in determining the requirements needed for your internship.
If you are a High School student in the Alamance Burlington School System, you can participate in two programs coordinated jointly between ABSS and the Burlington Police Department. Job Shadowing Day is held twice a year, in the Spring and Fall Semesters.
If you are a High School Student enrolled in a Private or Charter School, you will need to coordinate your request through your career or Guidance Counselor.
If you are Home Schooled, you may participate in an Internship. Guidelines should follow the North Carolina Department of Administration guidelines for Home Schooling Students.
(High School Juniors and Seniors are eligible to participate in Internships. The goal of High School Internships is to expose the student to as much as possible about various Divisions within the Police Department and help make qualified choices for future fields of study or careers in Law Enforcement. Placement is based on staff availability.)
Students may be required to participate in interviews and provide a written document explaining their interest in Law Enforcement and how an Internship will assist them in making Career decisions.
College and University Interns must complete the following requirements and forward them to the Auxiliary Services Coordinator:
• Intern Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Faculty Advisor Recommendation Letter
• UN-Official transcripts
• Interview with BPD Auxiliary Services Coordinator
• Class ranking of Junior or Senior
• Enrolled in an Internship Program or Independent Study Status
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
Internships fall into two categories
General Internship
Interns will spend time in as many BPD Divisions as feasible; to include, but not limited to Communications Division, Operations Division, Traffic Division, Training Division, Evidence Control Unit, Criminal Investigations, Victims Assistance and Community Relations Division.
Project Based
Project based internships are closely related to the student’s field of study. Project based internships require:
• Project Proposal endorsed or approved by a faculty advisor and the Auxiliary Services Coordinator
• Project based internships should be mutually beneficial to the student intern and the Burlington Police Department.
Intern Schedule will be based on the number of hours required from your College or University and the availability of Staff at the Burlington Police Department.
Application Process- Students who wish to participate in the Burlington Police Department Internship Program must first fill out an online application via Better Impact. After application, the Auxiliary Services Coordinator will schedule a preliminary interview to determine the requirements of the Internship and if the Burlington Police Department can facilitate those needs.
Submission Deadlines- Students seeking internships should complete the application process before the following dates:
• Fall Internship- 1st Monday of the Month of June
• Spring Internship-1st Monday of the Month of January
• Summer Internship- 1st Monday of the Month of March