Volunteer Services include the following programs: Senior Volunteer, Reserve Officer, Explorer Post 941, Co-operative Education Program (Co-op),  Citizen Volunteer and Chaplain Volunteer Program.

A description of each program is given below and Volunteer application packet.

Senior Volunteer
Senior Volunteers are 50 plus years old, retired and are not “snow birds” leaving Spokane for the winter months. Skills that are helpful include: enjoy working with the public, people skills to help resolve issues, basic clerical skills, computer knowledge, like to get out in the community. Seniors work in a variety of duty stations in the Public Safety Building, Courthouse, and City Hall. Outdoor assignments can include the vacation home check, Radar Trailer, traffic control or help look for missing persons. Seniors do have training meetings throughout the year and are encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month.

On-line Senior Volunteer Application packet  in WORD format

Reserve Officer
The Reserve program is comprised of men and women who either aspire to be police officers or want to serve on the front line. After passing a physical agility test and going through processing, applicants attend a 270-hour Reserve Officer Academy. A certification examination is administered by the WA State Criminal Justice Training Commission prior to graduation. A Reserve Officer is fully commissioned while on duty. Probationary Reserve Officers go through a mentoring program and can progress to a Level II allowing the Reserve to go on patrol on their own (without a commissioned police officer). Reserves also have one monthly training meeting.

The Spokane Police Department is always recruiting for Volunteer Spokane Police Reserve Officers.  If interested in becoming a Volunteer Spokane Police Reserve Officer you must attend the Fitness Ability Test. You also will need a physicians release and picture ID to do the Fitness Ability Test.

Next Fitness Ability Test TBA. 

Please view our on-line Volunteer Reserve Officer Fitness Ability Test Packet and medical release form,  for more information and directions in PDF format.

You may also contact the Volunteer Services Unit at (509) 363-8281.

After passing the Fitness Ability Test you will be given a Reserve Application.

Explorer Post 941
Explorers are a part of the Boy Scouts of America under their Learning for Life Program. The Post allows young men and women the opportunity to explorer and learn about a career in the criminal justice field while serving as volunteer aides within SPD. Explorers are 14 – 21 years old (and have completed 8th grade). They must maintain a 2.5 GPA in their school. Explorers are required to attend monthly training meetings and commit to volunteering 16 hours a month. Statewide Explorer academies are held biannually and the Explorer is required to attend one a year. Explorers are trained for State/Regional/National competitions; actors for SWAT/TAC teams; crowd control at civic events; leadership, marching, shooting, and learn of career opportunities at the federal, state and local level. 

On-line Guest Explorer Packet  in WORD format

Co-operative Education Program (Co-op)
The Co-op program is a joint venture between local colleges, and universities and the SPD as a support function to the Patrol Division. It is designed to provide non-law enforcement services and tasks that do not require law enforcement power or police legal authority. Co-ops assist Patrol at accident scenes, take cold crime reports, and pick up found property and evidence for the Patrol Division. Co-ops attend a 40-hour academy and are required to contribute a minimum of 20 volunteer hours monthly (includes two monthly evening meetings). Co-ops must be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled in college (any field) as a full or part-time student maintaining a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Co-op applicants must possess a valid drivers license. 

On-line Co-op Application packet  in WORD format

Citizen Volunteer
The CV program is essentially a service program. It functions to augment and assist the commissioned and non-commissioned members of the SPD in their performance of their duties. This program fills the gap between college age volunteers and retired senior volunteers. Applicant must be 18 years of age.

On-line Citizen Volunteer Application packet  in WORD format 

Ride Alongs
Our ride along policy is strictly governed. You will need to be affiliated with some type of police function: Candidate for hire, enrolled in college courses in Law Enforcement, Officer from another jurisdiction, or some other function recognized by this department. A background check will be done. Contact Sgt Arnzen at(509)625-4003 to sign-up for a ride along or for more information.

Chaplain Volunteer Program

The Spokane Police Chaplaincy, a non-profit organization, was started in 1976 in order to provide support to Law Enforcement Officers and employees of the Spokane Police Department.  While the mission has remained the same, the job has changed. 

Chaplain Ron Alter has been a part of the Department's Personnel Assistance Team since it's development.  This team is comprised of the Department's psychologist, the Chaplain and peer members.  The purpose is to provide help after critical incidents and to arrange debriefing following a critical incident.  We average approximately three to four debriefings a year. 

In September Chaplains Ron and Beth were called by the New York/New Jersey Port Authority to serve a Ground Zero in New York.  While there, we helped members of the recovery teams, and survivors with the emotional and spiritual damage that they were experiencing. 

In 2003 the Chaplains started an Aid Van Program that would respond to large call-outs.  The Aid Van provides food, drinks, and shelter for the Officers and Witnesses or family members at the scene.  We work closely with the Command Center to coordinate our efforts. 

Also in 2003, Spokane Chaplaincy along with the Spokane Sheriff's Chaplains hosted the International Conference Police Chaplains Annual Training Seminar in Spokane.  There were over six hundred Chaplains from around the world in Spokane to train and increase their skills as Law Enforcement Chaplains. 

In 2004, due to layoffs within the Department the Chaplains started to respond to all police calls where a death had occurred.  These would include natural deaths that occurred outside of a hospital or nursing home setting.  Suicides, homicides and accidental deaths as well are responded to.  The purpose for us responding is three fold.  First, on natural deaths we can relieve the Officers as soon as their investigations are over, thus getting them on the street quicker.  Second, we are present to comfort families and act as a Liasion between the Police and them.  Lastly, we are able to find next of kin information when no one is present so that notification can be made.  The Chaplains respond to over four hundred - fifty deaths each year. 

The Chaplains are also asked to provide ministerial help and counseling to Officers that request our services. 

The Spokane Police Chaplaincy have one full-time Senior Chaplain who is Chaplain Ron Alter.  Along with Chaplain Alter we have a part-time Chaplain and nine volunteer Chaplains.

Any interest in becoming a chaplain or questions can be directed to

Senior Chaplain Ron Alter at 509-625-4091 or e-mail the Chaplain's Office  

Watch the SPD TV Historical Law Enforcement Museum Office Video

to learn more about our SPD Historical Law Enforcement

Museum Office, you will need windows media player to view. 

On-line District and Superior Court System Flow Charts 

of adult misdemeanor and felony crime cases in PDF format. 

The Flow Charts are courtesy of the SPD History Book Committee. 

Our SPD Historical Law Enforcement Museum Office

can be reached at (509) 477-6449. 

Visit their website at  www.evooa.org/SPLEM