- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Sheriff's Office
- Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
- About Our Volunteers
- Explorers
- Jail Programs
- Mounted Patrol
- Reserves
- Water Recovery Team
- Chaplain Corps
- Internships
- Citizens Academy
- Apply Today
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 Water Recovery Unit; a group of highly- regarded and uniquely- trained volunteers who are valued for their rapid response and deployment during water recovery efforts when tragedy strikes on our water ways.
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!
Explorer Post 528-"Learning for Life"
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 Detective Sara Peulen at 651-430-7829 or email sara.peulen@co.washington.mn.us
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
The jail provides many opportunities for citizens to volunteer, all of which require some inmate contact. The jail provides numerous opportunities for:
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?
Sgt. David Stumpner
david.stumpner@co.washington.mn.us or him
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?
Deputy Joe Szczepanski
joseph.szczepanski@co.washington.mn.us
651-430-7653
About the Reserves
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
Sergeant Ty Jacobson
ty.jacobson@co.washington.mn.us
651-430-7827
The Sheriff’s Water Recovery Team is part of the Water, Parks, and Trails Unit. The Unit is responsible for the underwater search and recovery operations that have been directed or requested by the Sheriff. The Recovery Unit covers the entire county and because it is a joint team with St Croix County, Wisconsin, the team covers St Croix County as well. Dive operations range from river recoveries to deep lake diving and thin ice incident. As a primary response service, the Recovery Unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Unit has many functions beyond recovery missions, and is also called to assist in times of natural or man-made disasters and/or provide additional support for various functions held throughout Washington County.
Training
The team is trained in and equipped following public safety diver standards and lifeguard systems recovery protocols, and is supplemented by modern technology including towed-sonar arrays, remote operated vehicles (ROV), underwater cameras and lighting. The team also has extensive training in operating more than a dozen boats and other equipment. allowing the team to respond to any situation on the water or under the ice.
What does the Water Recovery Unit respond to?
A typical response involves assessing the scene, interviewing witnesses, utilizing sonar and ROV equipment to assess the underwater environment, and dispatching divers underwater.
Our divers typically dive individually with two backup divers immediately available, and are tethered to a surface support team member who directs the dive via underwater communications gear.
The divers follow a rotation that allows for the safety of our team members and service to our communities. In other situations, multiple boats may be used in a coordinated effort to cover an area that is unsuitable for sonar and divers.
The unit is also a trained as radiological emergency response workers to respond should a catastrophe occur at one of the state’s nuclear power plants.
How to apply
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Questions
Sergeant Ty Jacobson
ty.jacobson@co.washington.mn.us
651-430-7827
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.
Application Process
To apply, complete our Volunteer Application.
Questions?
Sergeant Mike Benson
mike.benson@co.washington.mn.us
651-430-7854
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
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
Sergeant Michelle Folendorf
michelle.folendorf@co.washington.mn.us
651-430-7819
*At this time we have postponed Citizen's Academy 2021 until further notice due to COVID-19-we will update this site as information becomes available*
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.
Questions?
Detective Brad Volk bradley.volk@co.washington.mn.us.
Public Information Manager Laura Perkins laura.perkins@co.washington.mn.us
To apply for our Explorers, Jail Programs, Mounted Patrol, Reserves, Water Recovery, Chaplain Corps, Internships, or to attend the Citizens Academy, please complete our online volunteer application. You may select multiple areas of volunteer interest.