Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a variety of volunteer opportunities available that just might be right for you! You can volunteer your time in an assistance/support role in various departments throughout the agency or volunteer in areas where you can put your specialized skills to work. While we always endeavor to accommodate requests for volunteer service, some of our volunteer positions may not be open at the time you submit your application.
Chaplains
Whatever the need…we’ll be there! Employees often respond to very traumatic calls for help. Sometimes they’re not able to provide all of the assistance the victim requires. At those times, we call on one of our many agency chaplains who represent a number of denominations and faiths. This program supports emotional and spiritual relations to members, employees, and their respective families. The chaplains upon request graciously assist victims and their families with death notifications, stress management, and a number of other services.
Chaplains must meet the following criteria:
1. Have minimum of five years of continuous experience in the ministry of their faith.
2. Present a letter of support and good standing from the sponsoring 501C3 religious body/denomination.
3. No history of ordination or license revocation.
4. Must be able to respond on a 24-hour basis in the event of an emergency.
5. Possess an Ecclesiastical Certification as an Ordained minister of the designated faith.
Citizens On Patrol
Citizens On Patrol was formed in 2000 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is comprised of at least 10 homeowners from subdivisions who have chosen to volunteer their time to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office acting as the eyes and ears for law enforcement.
Citizens On Patrol volunteers are one of the greatest supports to deputies. Our Citizens On Patrol wear an issued agency uniform and patrol in marked agency vehicles which remain in their subdivision.
After successfully passing a background check, Citizens On Patrol volunteers are required to complete 22 hours of training prior to beginning their duties as a volunteer. Training includes, but is not limited to, CPR, AED, Law Enforcement Vehicle Operation driver training, policy and procedures, and how to identify and report criminal/non-criminal behavior.
Upon successful completion of training, volunteers patrol their subdivisions, neighborhood parks, schools, and area businesses observing for suspicious/criminal behavior and hazards. Citizens On Patrol can also assist at various sites until a deputy arrives such as road closures/hazards, school crossings, vacation house checks, and wellness checks.
To learn more about this great opportunity in your subdivision please contact Citizens On Patrol Coordinator Awilda McBryde at (407) 254-7342 or awilda.mcbryde@ocsofl.com
In House Volunteers
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Program is available in a number of areas within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Our volunteers have a variety of different skill sets and experiences. These skills and experiences are an invaluable resource for the success of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. There are many units where volunteers are used, such as: Records, Community Relations, Criminal Investigations, and the Various Sectors.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident alien card.
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
Intern
The Internship program allows current college students to work within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to better prepare themselves for their chosen career. This is a volunteer non-paid program.
To apply for an internship with the Sheriff’s Office there are several requirements:
Must be attending an accredited college, in good academic standing and able to receive college credit.
Must be a college student that is currently in your field of study.
Must be in your Junior (completed 1 semester) or Senior year.
Ability to pass a background check.
Mounted Barn
Barn volunteers assist with the care, cleaning of the horses, cleaning stalls and equipment. No riding experience is necessary. However, if a volunteer wishes to exercise the horses, they must first pass a mount
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident alien card.
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
- Must have experience with horses and stables. Horseback riding experience preferred.
- If a volunteer wishes to exercise the horses, they must first pass a mounted riding test.
Mounted Posse
The Mounted Posse provides search and rescue services with the primary emphasis on using horses during search and rescue. Members may be called upon to participate in missing persons searches, evidence searches, and special events. This units also participates in the Black Stallion Literacy Project.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident alien card.
- Must own a horse.
- Must pass a mounted riding test to demonstrate horsemanship, horse control, and abilities.
- Must donate a minimum of 96 hours per year (8 hours each month)
- Must attend monthly meetings.
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
Occupant Protection Program
Volunteers help with free car seat check- up events assisting with the distribution of appropriate paperwork, help with the completion of the required forms, and distribute educational materials and giveaways to the families in attendance. Volunteers also assist in “baby wrangling” keeping an eye on the child while their caregiver works with a certified technician to properly install the car seat. For more information on the Occupant Protection Program or to learn how to become a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician please contact Carrisa Johns at (407) 521-4673 or email Carrisa.johns@ocsofl.com
Police Athletic League (P.A.L.)
The Orange County Police Athletic League is a juvenile crime prevention organization in which law enforcement officers utilize athletic and recreational activities to influence youngsters to avoid the temptations of crime, drugs and violence. Through its sports and educational programs P.A.L. encourages children to become law-abiding citizens. Orange County P.A.L. relies on volunteers for the success of its programs. Volunteers serve as coaches, officials, scorekeepers, mentors and chaperones. P.A.L. actively seeks the support of law enforcement officers and civilian volunteers to fulfill its mission of filling playgrounds, not prisons.
To learn more about this program. please contact the P.A.L. Coordinator Corporal Justin Age at 407-254-7265 or ocsopal.com
Task Force
This is one of our most active units. Members wear uniforms and are trained in traffic, crowd and perimeter control, search and rescue, disasters, parades, and other public activities. They are ready to be of service whenever needed, serving the community and promoting public safety by assisting any city, county, state, or federal agency in any endeavor for which they are qualified.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident alien card.
- Must be able to donate a minimum of 100 hours per year.
- Must successfully complete the following: Traffic Control for Citizens. Must have valid Florida driver’s license. Optional: successfully complete the agency sponsored Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations (LEVO) Training. Use of agency vehicle would require appropriate driving history and passing agency biennial driver’s physical exam.
Tourist Information Patrol Specialists (TIPS)
The Tourist Information Patrol Specialist (TIPS) is a uniformed unit where volunteers drive specially marked cars and offer assistance to tourist visiting the International Drive area. TIPS offers assistance in many ways such as providing directions, assisting with disabled vehicles, and crime prevention tips. This unit also patrols in hotel and business parking lots to deter criminal activity.
Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident alien card.
All approved applicants will receive agency volunteer identification and training in crime prevention, driving, radio use, traffic direction and agency forms.
Volunteers are required to donate 10 hours a month in 2 or more hour increments to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office TIPS Volunteer Unit.
Reserve Deputy
Most Orange County citizens do not realize that volunteer police are an active part of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Reserve deputies are fully sworn law enforcement officers, with either Florida Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) or Florida Auxiliary Law Enforcement certifications, who volunteer their time and expertise to the Sheriff’s Office. These reserves come from all walks of life, occupations, and educational backgrounds. OCSO reserves include school teachers and school administrators, nonprofit organization managers, firefighters and fire department administrators, nurses, lawyers, college professors, facilities managers, IT professionals, media specialists, and business owners.
