PARKERSBURG - The Parkersburg Police Department is looking for volunteers to staff its newest police substation at 401A 13th St.
Paul and Teresa Miller of Avery Street have volunteered to immediately oversee and organize personnel and activities at the substation and will work under the direction and guidance of Community Oriented Police Enforcement Officer Tom Worstell, said Sgt. Greg Collins, spokesman for the police department.
With some leadership now in place, the department is hoping to field enough volunteers to provide staffing at the substation for at least six to eight hours a day Monday through Friday.
An applications are available for download at www.parkersburgpolice.com to download an application and also are available at police department headquarters in the city building, at the City Park substation or the 13th Street substation. Applications can be mailed to the police department or taken to the headquarters or either of the two substations.
Applicants must agree to a criminal background check, fingerprinting and photograph, be at least 18 years old, have no felony or certain misdemeanor convictions and provide at least two character references. Applicants also will be interviewed by the C.O.P.E. officer.
Having good moral character and a positive attitude will be key attributes in becoming a police volunteer, Collins said..
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If anyone has any questions regarding volunteering for the Parkersburg Police Department, contact Sgt. Greg Collins at 304-424-8444, or C.O.P.E Officer Tom Worstell at 304-424-0683.
Volunteers who are accepted will be trained on how to conduct business on behalf of the department, including taking minor police reports for citizens. Successful applicants may also request assignment to the City Park police substation or the department's main office if openings exist, Collins said.
Police hope the 13th Street police substation will not only be a convenient place for people to conduct police business, but will also be a good place to consistently conduct community activities and events.
The 13th Street police substation is being funded by the Community Development Block Grant fund, and will be administered through the department's C.O.P.E. (Community Oriented Police Enforcement) program.
In volunteering, this is a great opportunity for people who live in the area of the new substation to contribute and invest in their neighborhood, police said. Chief Joe Martin has placed a priority on making this police substation a success, firmly believing it will help stabilize the area and generally benefit all those who live in that neighborhood.
