The Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer Unit is a group of highly motivated citizen volunteers who assist the Sheriff's Office by performing numerous administrative assignments, event monitoring, traffic control, vehicle patrol, educational programs, and other assignments.
The Sheriff Volunteer Unit is a self-governing non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a paramilitary rank structure and the oversight of the Sheriff's Office Operations Bureau Captain. The unit consists of a Captain, a Lieutenant, and four Sergeants.
The Sheriff's Volunteer Unit was established in 1989 and has accomplished a wide variety of assignments since then. In the early days, the unit was assigned to the Crime Prevention Office. In 1991, the volunteer unit became uniformed, making them more visible to the public. They also had new duties, including courtroom and rooftop security for high-profile court cases.
As the years went by, volunteers were given new and different assignments. Volunteers received marked patrol vehicles for patrolling, traffic control, vacation house checks, and public support for the Neighborhood Watch and You Are Not Alone programs. The volunteer force also manages the substations to assist the public, along with other duties and special assignments at the Sheriff's Office and Jail.
