• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Thursday, May 21, 2015

Sheriff’s Citizens Patrol Receives Three Volunteer Service Awards

On May 5th, the Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol (SCP) was awarded three service awards at the Forsyth County Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards breakfast. Volunteers from around the county were honored at this event held at Salem College and sponsored by Hands On Northwest North Carolina, United Way and the Winston-Salem Journal.

SCP members were recognized as the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Service team/group of the year in Forsyth County. This award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.

Governor McCrory also bestowed SCP members with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This award is is given in recognition of a proven record of extraordinary service to the state of North Carolina.

The Gold Presidential Service Award was presented to the SCP for more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service.

The SCP program helps build stronger partnerships between law enforcement and the community we serve. Volunteers help make the FCSO more accessible to residents, resulting in a bonded network of community support. Fostering these relationships also encourages residents to view themselves as true stakeholders in proactive law enforcement efforts. SCP members are essential in successful community programs and events.

In addition to community outreach, SCP members assist in many areas of the FCSO. Volunteers are assigned to assist with administrative tasks, Firearms, CALEA Accreditation, Human Resources, Records, Community Watch Programs, Fingerprinting and Courtroom assistance.

In 2014, SCP volunteers contributed a total of 7,996 hours to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) and citizens of Forsyth County. The I.R.S. guidelines for the fair valuation of volunteer time are $22.75 per hour, valuing their time at $177,911 of real and measurable value. Volunteer assistance saves taxpayer money and are invaluable to the FCSO.

To learn more about the Sheriff’s Citizens Patrol: visit the Sheriff's Citizens Patrol page.