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Volunteer Opportunities
Washington County is a great place to live, work, play. It is also a great place to volunteer. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is fortunate to attract many highly skilled individuals who dedicate their time, talents and energy towards making a difference in their community.
Volunteers such as Mounted Patrol and Reserve Deputies may assist the Sheriff’s Office during searches for missing persons, help hunt for evidence over rough terrain, aid in crowd and traffic control during special events or assist in securing scenes during major incidents.
The men and women of our Chaplain Corps are there for members of our community during times of natural disaster, accidents, and unexpected death. They provide comfort and spiritual strength when and where it is needed.
The Washington County Jail has a dedicated group of core volunteers who conduct Alcohol and Narcotics Anonymous programs, domestic abuse counseling, as well as religious education and engagement.
The use of volunteers reduces the operating cost of the Sheriff’s Office, allows deputies to remain accessible to the community and greatly contributes to providing the high quality of public service the citizens of Washington County expect and deserve.
Complete a Volunteer Application to get started today!
Chaplain corps volunteers assist law enforcement by responding to serious incidents or deaths, to provide spiritual comfort and assistance to family members, survivors, law enforcement officers, rescue personnel, and dispatchers. Chaplains are added on an as needed basis.
Requirements
- Ordained / licensed by a recognized church body
- Recommended by ecclesiastical body
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be a person of compassion, tact and tolerance with a desire to serve the community
- Attend monthly meetings
Application Process
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Questions?
Contact Sergeant Michael Ramos by email or phone at 651-430-7830.
You glance in your rear view mirror and see red and blue flashing lights as you pull over to the side of the road. It was too late by the time you saw the squad car and eased off the gas. Nobody enjoys being pulled over for speeding, but have you ever tried to see things from the deputies perspective?
Participants will have the opportunity to meet several deputies and learn about the roles they have within the agency to make the Sheriff’s Office run effectively. These include demonstrations from K9, SWAT, Investigations, Narcotics, Jail, Water Parks and Trails, and Patrol to name a few. Participants will investigate crimes, engage in scenarios, and conduct traffic stops. In addition, they will have the opportunity to join in and learn the importance of defensive tactics and firearms training. Ride-a-long with a deputy and see first-hand what a patrol shift is like.
This eight week academy is packed with eye-opening experiences.
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application. Our next academy is scheduled for Spring of 2023.
Questions?
Contact Public Information Manager Laura Perkins by email or phone at 651-430-7994.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with Learning for Life, works to teach the young adults of our community the different facets of law enforcement.
About the program
Law Enforcement Exploring is a program sponsored by local law enforcement agencies to provide career information to students between the ages of 14 (completed 8th grade) and 20. It also provides the structure and resources needed for these young adults to make ethical choices and to achieve their full potential as individuals.
Explorers learn first hand the duties and responsibilities of police officers.
Meetings
Meetings are held every Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Washington County Law Enforcement Center. The Post attends the Duluth Exploring Conference held in the fall and the MN Explorers State Conference held in the spring. The Explorer Post also attends the National Explorers Conference held every two years (even years). Training topics include: accident investigations, crime scene investigation, first aid, hostage negotiation, search and arrest, search tactics, white collar crime, traffic stops and more.
Questions
Contact Sergeant Michael Ramos by email or phone at 651-430-7830.
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Requirements
- Must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution which has a structured internship program.
- Internships must be taken for credit or grade.
- Interest in exploring career paths related to law enforcement, corrections, crime analysis, evidence processing or public service administration.
- Pass a background investigation and criminal history check
To Apply
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Questions
Contact Sergeant Rebecca Broome by email or phone at 651-430-7651.
The jail provides many opportunities for citizens to volunteer, all of which require some inmate contact. The jail provides numerous opportunities for:
Jail Programs
- Religious volunteers
- Bible study
- A.A. and N.A.
- Parenting skills building
- Education and GED Prep
- Computer Skills Training
We are also open to other volunteer ideas.
Requirements and how to apply
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Pass a criminal history check
- Must not have a felony conviction
- Volunteers must complete a jail volunteer orientation
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Questions?
Contact Sergeant David Stumpner by email or phone at 651-430-7927.
The Washington County Mounted Patrol was founded in 1994. Mounted Patrol members volunteer their time to assist the Sheriff's Office in search and rescue. Members may also participate in parades, safety fairs, Night to Unite, county park events and patrolling the Gateway Trail system. Mounted Patrol members will not actively engage in enforcement activities of any kind.
Mission of the Mounted Patrol
To work in partnership with the community to provide search and rescue services in a responsible manner through innovation, leadership, and the cooperation of dedicated people. Mounted Patrol members and their horses also present themselves as good role models for children and adults.
How to Apply
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Rider and Horse Requirements
- Volunteer applicants must be at least 21 years old
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Own or have access to a horse and trailer
- Applicants must not have any physical or medical conditions that would limit their abilities to perform their assigned duties
- All applicants will undergo an oral interview process
- All horse and riders must successfully complete the prescribed qualification's course
- Members must successfully complete a one year probationary period
- Horses considered for Mounted Patrol duty must meet the following criteria:
- Horses must be 36 months old or older
- Horse must not be stallions
- Horses that become uncontrollable will be removed from the Mounted Patrol detail until such time that they can safely participate
Transportation
Towing vehicles and trailers must pass a yearly inspection by a licensed peace officer or someone qualified, and must be maintained in a safe and legal condition at all times
Time Commitment
Members are required to participate in 9 out of 12 meetings
Questions?
Contact Deputy Joe Szczepanski by email or phone at 651-430-7653.
Reserve volunteers are non-licensed and unarmed volunteers who assist our deputies with everything from traffic control during large area events to securing the perimeters of major crime scenes. Many of our reserve volunteers are professionals who have a passive interest in law enforcement and wish to give back to their community in a meaningful way.
Mission
To work in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Community with focus on quality public safety services.
Vision
To create and enhance safety practices leading to a crime free community.
Who should join reserves and why
Highly motivated individuals from all adult age groups and all backgrounds. Students, retired individuals, and those that want to give back by spending meaningful time in an activity dedicated to community welfare and safety. Our reserves help us deter crime by increasing the presence of the sheriff’s office on both land and water. If you want to gain valuable experience through continuous training and interaction with sheriff’s office personnel and the communities we serve, our reserve program may be for you.
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Qualified candidates
- 18 years of age
- High School diploma or GED equivalent
- Valid driver’s license
- Reliable transportation and vehicle insurance
- Possess the capability to respond to call out situations
- Pass a criminal history background check
- Candidates must pass an oral interview
- Candidates must successfully complete the Reserve Academy conducted March through May.
Questions
Contact Sergeant Kevin Jadwinski by email or phone at 651-430-7615.