Investigative Aide - Assist investigations with call backs, logging
and tracking case paperwork, and using one’s own knowledge or skills to help assist
detectives

Property & Evidence - Assist personnel with organizing, filing,
and various other duties

Records - General office duties, scanning, organizing, and other
duties to help keep reports organized and available for retrieval in a timely and
accurate manner

Special Programs Assistance - Assist the Crime Prevention Unit
/ Volunteer Coordinator in a variety of ways: Attending special events, recruitment
of volunteers, assisting with agency surveys, Business Trespass Program assistance,
and more...

Specialized Units - Volunteers with qualified backgrounds or experience
are allowed to assist in various specialized units of the agency, such as: Agriculture
Unit, Marine Unit, Mounted Patrol, & various other special units (assistance in
these areas would require special approval by each unit on a case by case basis)

Training - Help the training section with general office duties
and, if qualified, instructing agency personnel

TRU (Telephone Reporting Unit) / Front Desk - Assist the deputies
at the main entrance of the sheriff’s office by greeting visitors, inquiring of
their business, and directing them to appropriate locations

Victim Advocate - Assists victim advocates by responding with them
to calls with traumatized victims, victims in need of emotional or judicial support,
and assist with compensation and resource referrals

NOTE: - The Volunteer Program is comprised of civilians; not certified
law enforcement. If you are certified in law enforcement and would like to volunteer
in a law enforcement capacity, please join our Reserves. To apply to be a Reserve
deputy, simply visit our Employment webpage and click on the Current Openings link.
Also, students/kids who are interested in law enforcement can join our Explorers
or JR Cadets program. To find out more details about the Explorers, click on the
link below.

Requirements

Volunteer applicants must be 18 years of age and have a minimum of a high school
diploma or GED.

Selection Process

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office utilizes volunteers to their potential by allowing
them to work alongside agency personnel. With that, volunteer applicants undergo
an application process similar to that used when hiring civilian employees. Among
the process, but not limited to, are:

Background investigation, all applicants

Records check, all applicants

Criminal and drug use history, all applicants

Driver’s License check, if applicable

Polygraph examination, if applicable

Psychological evaluation, if applicable

Work Schedule

Positions are available primarily during business hours Monday – Friday. There are
some opportunities to volunteer after business hours and on weekends but those are
very limited and usually on a needs basis. There is no limit on the number of hours
you can volunteer but a minimum requirement of 8-hours every three months must be
met unless there are exigent circumstances, such as sickness, part-time resident,
or other reasons approved by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Contact Information

To learn more about the volunteer opportunities with the Manatee County Sheriff's
Office, contact: