VOLUNTEER COURTESY OFFICER
Administrator of Volunteer Services
Officer Michele Goldsberry
865-215-8620
mgoldsberry@cityofknoxville.org
Volunteer Courtesy Officers (VCO’s) are civic-minded citizens who are willing to volunteer their time to improve the quality of life in our community.
They serve as Goodwill Ambassadors for the Knoxville Police Department, and the City Knoxville. They support patrol functions, and help at special events.
VCO’s receive a minimum of 40 hours training in first aid, CPR, defensive driving, and police procedures.
VCO’s work in pairs, and are issued police radios to notify Officers of problems in the vicinity of Downtown special events. Some problems VCO’s help with are calling ambulances for acutely ill visitors, reuniting lost children with parents, and reporting panhandlers, parking problems, and inebriated people.
They also give directions and parking information to visitors, as well as assist Officers with traffic control. Volunteer Courtesy Officers worked 1,246 hours in 2008.
These are few of the events worked:
Boo at the Zoo
Market Square First Friday’s
Dogwood
City People Tour of Homes,
Mardi Growl, Dogwood, Kuumba, Veterans, and Christmas parades
Home UT football games
Sundown on Market Square
Market Square Farmer’s Market
July 4th
Boomsday
Big Orange Bash and Cruisin’ for a Cause
VCO’s are also very visible on Market Square at Farmer’s Market on Saturday, and each First Friday downtown.
Say hello to the Knoxville Police Department’s VCO’s next time you're downtown. They'll be wearing yellow polo shirts with the Courtesy Officer insignia.
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