City of Canyon Lake seeking citizen volunteers

The City of Canyon Lake is encouraging its residents to sign up to serve in its Citizen Volunteer Program. The program is an opportunity for citizens to give back to their community, while also helping local law enforcement keep their community safe.

Citizen volunteers can serve in a variety of roles, ranging from chaplains to a member of the search and rescue team. In communities like Canyon Lake, volunteers serve as the eyes and ears for the Sheriff’s Department.

These volunteers’ efforts supplant what the police would need to provide without the volunteers’ help. The volunteer time allows police more time to provide extra patrols that keep neighborhoods safe, while also keeping the city’s public safety costs down.

When somebody signs up to be a city volunteer, they are trained on the tasks they are asked to do, like working in the equipment rooms at the Sheriff’s Department. Photo provided by City of Canyon Lake

Volunteer schedules are flexible and Canyon Lake Police works to make sure its volunteers are matched up with their skills and talents. All volunteers will undergo in-depth training that gives them the tools they need to successfully serve their family and neighbors.

Any volunteers from Canyon Lake would work out of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station which provides police service to the city.

The city is in need of youth who would like to volunteer. Community members aged 14-21 are eligible to join the Sheriff’s Explorer Program. This program is designed for teenagers and young adults interested in service in law enforcement or the military.

Explorers work closely with deputies and staff to serve their communities, while learning the basics of police tactics and training. Additionally, they take the new skills they learn and compete in competitions with other Explorers across the county and the state.

Prospective Explorers undergo a week-long Explorer’s Academy during the summer every year.

Those interested in signing up as a Sheriff’s Department Volunteer or Explorer should go to the city website and download the application to apply.