The Bellingham Police Department is currently seeking qualified applicants for our Bellingham Neighbors Together (BNT) and Bellingham Citizen Patrol (BCP) teams. These programs are coordinated by the police department, and partner citizens in our community with their police force. BNT volunteers assist Bellingham Police by providing a visible presence to our citizens, observing and reporting suspicious activity, and educating residents on how to improve safety in their neighborhoods. BCP volunteers assist BPD's patrol mission by responding to abandoned vehicle complaints, enforcing disabled parking violations and conducting vacation house checks. Volunteers patrol together in vehicles, on bicycles and on foot, and are equipped with a police radio.
Bellingham residents over the age of twenty-one are encouraged to apply and become part of this collaborative effort to be committed to our community. Prior to beginning patrols for BNT or BCP, accepted volunteers complete a comprehensive training program which includes radio and patrol procedures, criminal and civil law, recognition of gang and drug activity, field exercises and other topics. The Bellingham Police Department seeks a minimum commitment of four volunteer hours per month by active members of the BNT program.
Please consider getting involved with our volunteer program and feel free to forward the information to friends and family. We are looking to fill our next academy class with enthusiastic volunteers ready to make a difference in our community.
Our next training academy begins Thursday, October 11th, 2018. Apply today by contacting volunteer coordinator Scott Hendrickson at (360) 778-8633 or go to our website at www.cob.org/bnt
