VIPS Mission
The Volunteers in Police Service mission is a local organization of fully trained volunteers who assist the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office with a variety of non-enforcement duties. The VIPS are a group of enthusiastic individuals who add another dimension to the face of the sheriff's office by aiding with elderly call-in programs, citizen patrols, property checks, emergency traffic control, trauma intervention, and administrative duties that positively enhance the quality of life for all citizens in Cumberland County, Maine.
Volunteers in Police Service
Responsibilities include:
Citizen Neighborhood Patrols
Traffic Surveys
Radar Traffic, Hand Held Device & Seat Belt Monitoring
Seasonal and Vacation Property Checks
Wellness Checks
Traffic Control (Accidents, Fires, Races, Parades, Special Events )
OUI Checkpoint Assistance
Drug Take Back Assistance
Yellow Dot Program
Child & Senior ID/DNA Kits
Distracted Driving Simulation
Senior Neighborhood Awareness Program
Trauma Intervention
Additional VIPS Activities and Information
The Yellow Dot Program
Citizens and First Responders working together to preserve the "Golden Hour"
of emergency care.
The Yellow Dot Program was created to assist citizens during automobile accidents when they
might not be able to communicate for themselves.
How does the Yellow Dot Program work?
Participants are given a packet which includes a photo, a completed personal information form, a wallet card,
a yellow dot decal, and a yellow dot folder to be placed in the glove compartment.
The yellow dot decal is placed in the lower left corner of the rear window to alert
First Responders
that vital information can be found in the glove compartment of the vehicle.
The next step is to complete the form which contains the participant's personal and
pertinent medical information
along with the name, address and phone number of a person to contact in
case of an emergency.
The final step is to place the completed information form and attached photo in the
yellow dot folder
and place it in the glove compartment where First Responders are trained to
look when they see the yellow dot in the rear window.
Citizens and First Responders working together to preserve the "Golden Hour"
of emergency care.
The Yellow Dot Program was created to assist citizens during automobile accidents when they
might not be able to communicate for themselves.
How does the Yellow Dot Program work?
Participants are given a packet which includes a photo, a completed personal information form, a wallet card,
a yellow dot decal, and a yellow dot folder to be placed in the glove compartment.
The yellow dot decal is placed in the lower left corner of the rear window to alert
First Responders
that vital information can be found in the glove compartment of the vehicle.
The next step is to complete the form which contains the participant's personal and
pertinent medical information
along with the name, address and phone number of a person to contact in
case of an emergency.
The final step is to place the completed information form and attached photo in the
yellow dot folder
and place it in the glove compartment where First Responders are trained to
look when they see the yellow dot in the rear window.
Child or Senior ID/DNA Kit
If your child or senior family member is missing
Contact the Police Department by dialing 911 immediately, share with the officer/deputy a description of what they were wearing on the day that they went missing, and provide the Child/Senior Identification booklet. Request that your child/senior's name be entered into the National Crime Information Center Missing Person File (NCIC), which allows any law enforcement agency in the U.S. to identify them.
The photo in this booklet should be updated every 6 months to one year.
We hope that there is never a need to use this booklet,
but if necessary, every second counts and all of the information contained, along with the
DNA sample that you have stored in your freezer, will increase your chances of recovering your child or senior member.
Child & Senior Safety Tips
500,000 children are reported missing each year in The US & Canada. These statistics are horrifying, but an ID booklet
will provide you peace of mind and a measure of extra security in a situation when every second counts.
Let's keep our children and seniors safe and talk about the safety tips below with them.
1. Do not walk with anyone other than a parent or arranged family member.
2. Avoid getting into cars with strangers at all costs.
3. Remember, an adult will not need help from a child, do not listen to "I need help finding my kitten."
4. Know your name, phone number, and address.
5. Do not wander off in a store, but If lost, go to a counter and inform an employee. Remain there until located.
6. Do not allow anyone to touch your body except for mommy and daddy if needed.
7. Always try to walk from school in groups.
8. Never post any of your personal contact information on social media networking sites.
9. Check with your parents before posting any pictures on line.
10. Parents will take an interest in the internet sites you visit and monitor computer and phone usage.
RECRUITMENT OF NEW MEMBERS
VIPS are always looking to recruit new members to join the organization and help us give back to our community. If you are interested in volunteering in this way, please consider joining us. It does not take up much of your time. There is a mandatory two-hour meeting and training session each month, but after that you can choose your level of participation. Opportunities include traffic and road closures for parades, races (Beach to Beacon, Lighthouse 25/50 miler, Sebago Lake Triathalon), and fireworks displays; and distributing Yellow Dot and child/senior fingerprint ID/DNA kits at the Sheriff's National Night Out and other Safety Day events. Training involves CPR, First Aid and AED certification along with learning how to safely direct traffic and how to assist the Cumberland County deputies in non-law enforcement activities.
To schedule a Yellow Dot or Child or Senior ID/DNA kit distribution
for your school, church, club, company, or any group or organization;
or, if you want more information regarding VIPS assistance or membership,
please contact:
VIPS Volunteer Coordinator
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
36 County Way
Portland, Maine 04102
207-774-1444