Volunteer Opportunities & Events
La Porte is a VERY active place to be! All throughout the year there are many events and opportunities to volunteer your time and talents. You will enjoy the company of other dedicated people who want to make their community the best place to live, work and play. Come out and make some of the best friends you could ask for... and spend some time really making a difference! While you are at it, take a look to the right to see where volunteers are currently needed or check out our Calendar on this website to see current and future events.
Your main point of contact for each LPCPAAA event is listed with the event on the calendar.
Citizen's Police Academy
The police department advertises within the community when a new Academy is accepting applications. Applications are then screened and confirmed eligible by the PD. The President of the LPCPAAA attends the first class and is on the agenda for discussion, promotion, questions/answers, etc. with prospective CPAAA members. Current members assist the PD coordinator in various manners throughout the Academy. The President and members of the CPAAA attends the graduation to speak and remind graduates of their automatic membership into the LPCPAAA and benefits of volunteering.
Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.)
The goal of the C.O.P program is to Observe and Report. Once accepted into the program, members attend training on ticket writing, court procedures, and radio communications before beginning patrols.
Using the C.O.P. vehicle, members patrol the local community reporting potentially unsafe activity as well as document vehicles parked illegally in fire lanes and handicap spaces. Patrols also include the surveillance of streetlights to ensure they are working properly.
General Qualifications for participation in the C.O.P Program:
- Must be a "local/past" resident of the city, or its contiguous areas.
- Be a graduate of the Advanced La Porte Citizens Policy Academy
- Be a member in good standing of the LPCPAAA.
- Successfully complete a 1.5-hour C.O.P. training class (or CPA equivalent).
- Successfully complete a 2-hour certification ride-a-long with a current C.O.P. member.
DWI NO REFUSAL Program
Harris County leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities. One way that Harris County is responding to this devastating phenomenon is through No Refusal enforcement weekends. The No Refusal program is an enforcement strategy that allows jurisdictions to obtain search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath or blood tests. During these specified enforcement efforts, prosecutors and judges work throughout the night to streamline the warrant acquisition process in order to obtain blood draw warrants.
When a weekend is scheduled in the La Porte area, LPCPAAA Volunteers ensure that the officers, court and blood draw personnel have enough food, snacks and drinks on hand throughout the night to keep them going. After the first meals are served, many of the volunteers then conduct a ride-a-long with officers to observe first-hand the actions of suspected impaired drivers.
Chief's Annual Survey
Over the course of a few days our members participate in the survey by phoning citizens across La Porte. All calls are made from the PD with officer assistance available, and members go through a short training session prior to being allowed to participate in this program. The results of the survey allow the PD to determine citizen satisfaction with their services.
Sylvan Beach Parade & Festival
Members participate in this annual parade and festival, providing barricade patrol, and staffing the LPCPAAA/LPPD informational booth.
Community Education
La Porte offers many exciting events throughout the year. These events provide volunteers an opportunity to educate the public on a variety of police related topics such as the DARE program, child id kits, safety programs, and much more. If you enjoy meeting the public and encouraging folks to join the alumni, learn more about their community and give back - this program is for you. Opportunities to volunteer vary depending on each event. Check back frequently at this website for schedules.
Special Event Barricade Duty
Throughout the year La Porte is the host city for many special events such as the Sylvan Beach Parade, Triathlons, 5K Runs, Christmas on Main St., etc... Volunteers participating in these events can expect to wear a vest and radio as they interact with the public in offering alternate means of reaching their destination during an event.
National Night Out
CPAAA members participate in the National Night Out program by riding along with officers to neighborhoods and promoting the Citizen Police Academy. Members also participate in the Open House of the PD during this night by performing tours of the station, manning an educational booth, reception duties, photographing events and assisting with traffic.
Man Down Program
A new program aimed at assisting officers injured or unable to handle the task of mowing their yard. After approval by the officer, volunteers visit the home once a week to mow and edge.
Christmas On Main Street
Members host an LPCPAAA booth to share information and encourage participation in the program. Volunteers distribute brochures, coloring pages and offer assistance to participants of the event. A member also suits up as Blue Santa to provide photo opportunities to visiting families.
Blue Santa
The LPCPAAA acts as the department's agent in handling funds for its Blue Santa program. The PD is responsible for coordination of the program along with others from the department, schools, local businesses, and other organizations. The LPCPAAA contributes with fundraising and the purchase, wrapping, and sorting of toys. We also participate in the toy distribution on the day of the event and provide a Blue Santa to welcome families.
Children’s Fingerprinting Program
The LPCPAAA members set up and offer free fingerprinting at various community events throughout the year to all children under the age of 12 years. Parents of each child receives a booklet containing that child’s fingerprints for their safekeeping. Members are trained in fingerprinting prior to serving on this project.
LP Health & Safety Fair
During this annual event volunteers staff our LPCPAAA booth to encourage citizens to join and participate in the Citizens Police Academy and Alumni. At times we may also assist the LEPC as needed throughout the day.
Advanced Citizen’s Police Academy
Graduates of the Basic CPA are eligible to participate in the Advanced CPA class. The Advanced CPA class expands further on topics related to the PD such as S.W.A.T., weather tracking, fire suppression, traffic stop processes, crime scene investigation and more. Graduates of the Advanced class qualify to act as role play participants during future Basic and Advanced classes. Like the Basic class, graduates automatically become honorary members of the LPCPAAA and are eligible to join the C.O.P.
Fundraising Programs
Back the Blue
BBQ Fest and Fun Run
Since 2021, we have partnered with the Deer Park CPAAA to show our support of our police departments and raise funds to help continue our support of them. The Back the Blue event is made up of a Kid’s Area, BBQ cookoff, Fun Run, Raffles, Vendor Booths, Food Kitchen, and a lot more. With so many events taking place at one time, there is always a great need for volunteers in all areas to help make it successful.