_{Volunteer C.O.P.'s worked 298 Patrol shifts and 147 Speed Watch Operations and patrolled over 30,000 km’s in 2011. Photo: Contributed}The Vernon and District Citizens on Patrol program is looking for volunteers to add to their roster.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the group will be training new candidates in mid-February during the week of the 21st to the 23rd for interested parties.

"The age of a volunteer in our group varies from 19 years to 76 years old. They are the extra 'eyes and ears' for the Vernon and North Okanagan RCMP detachment" says Molendyk.

In 2011, the 46 volunteer members of C.O.P were responsible for recovering over 35 stolen vehicles, assisting officers to make 11 arrests throughout our city and can be credited with checking 37, 380 license plates to determine whether they were stolen or not.

Volunteers donated over 4314 hours of work to our city over 2011 – working 298 patrol shifts and 147 speed watch operations. C.O.P's can also be credited for patrolling over 30,000 kilometres in the North Okanagan detachment area.

Anyone interested in being part of the Citizens on Patrol is asked to please call the City of Vernon RCMP Safe Communities Unit at 250.550.7847 and ask for coordinator Regan Borisenko or contact Netty Vinden at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as possible.