Why Bridgeport? Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
By Jon Griffith on February 03, 2024 from Why Bridgeport?
The acronym VIP (Very Important Person) only became commonly used just after World War II. Focus on celebrities is not a recent trend, however. Fame and notoriety have been around as long as there has been civilization.
The Romans, the Greeks, and the Egyptians all had their fair share of renowned and notable people. Think Cicero, Caesar, Aristotle, Plato, Rameses, and Cleopatra. The same could be said for every nation and culture across the globe throughout history.
In the United States, we are obsessed with prominent people. We have raised our glorification and reverence of the famous to a new level. Like it or not, it is a fact. We, as a society, are decidedly celebrity-centric. We admire and sometimes idolize these VIPs. However,
the focus of our attention has changed over time.
the focus of our attention has changed over time.
Initially, our celebrities were artists, authors, wealthy landholders, military leaders, scientists, and politicians. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s saw a shift in our focus from land barons to wealthy industrial tycoons. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Ford, and Carnegie are prime examples.
Radio, movies, and television burst onto the scene in the 20th century. With it came the ascension of musicians, actors, directors, and producers being added to those with celebrity status. Two other additions came as sports and space exploration flourished. Athletes and astronauts became household names and the targets of our admiration.
The 21st century has seen the advance and embrace of technology, bringing us some new classes of famous people to add to those we already embrace. Today, social media influencers and tech billionaires now rank right up there as VIP celebrities. Deservedly or not, we love our VIPs.
On a smaller scale, communities have famous citizens, as well. More often than not, local celebrities are business leaders, medical professionals, artists, performers, elected officials, athletes, and coaches. Bridgeport has its share of well-known and influential VIPs. I will 
refrain from naming them for fear of omitting someone.
refrain from naming them for fear of omitting someone.
However, there is one group of Bridgeport VIPs that often go unnoticed. The members of the Bridgeport VIPS. Yes, you read that correctly, but did you notice the S? The capital S makes all the difference. The acronym VIPS, with the capital S, stands for Volunteers In Police Service.
With approximately 30 members, Bridgeport has one of the largest volunteer municipal civilian police service organizations in the state. That number is even more impressive considering our population is just over 9200 citizens, well below the population of cities with similar-sized groups. The program began as the Citizens Auxiliary Patrol Service (CAPS) and became a part of the Bridgeport Police Department in 2002.
What do the members of the Bridgeport VIPS do? The primary mission of the VIPS is to provide assistance and aid to the Bridgeport Police Department. The City of Bridgeport issues members a uniform and a police radio. They also supply and grant access to the two VIPS patrol cars. The group is focused on three fundamental areas: Operations, Administration, and Emergency Services.
The Operations Division involves performing neighborhood monitoring in the VIPS patrol car, directing traffic, assisting with parking violations, and many other duties to assist the police department in its operations. One of the most important ways the VIPS helps the city is by working with special community events. Crowd control, assisting with parking, monitoring detours, and answering visitor's questions, among other duties, make our events a better experience for everyone.
The Administrative Division works within the Bridgeport Police Department to assist the department's administrative staff in various tasks such as report data entry, fingerprinting, phone answering, and various clerical tasks. VIPS members are sometimes involved in
researching cold cases, organizing case information, crime mapping, and more. The VIPS assistance helps speed up the processing and the functioning of the police department in their work.
researching cold cases, organizing case information, crime mapping, and more. The VIPS assistance helps speed up the processing and the functioning of the police department in their work.
The Emergency Services Division’s primary purpose is to help with disaster preparedness education within the community, assist with post-disaster damage assessments, and work with the Emergency Services Director during emergency events as part of the Emergency Operations Center team. During an emergency, when all hands are needed on deck, the VIPS assistance is invaluable.
The first requirement to become a member of the VIPS is to complete the Bridgeport Citizens Police Academy held each spring at the Bridgeport Municipal Building. The class is held once a week for eight weeks. Additional sessions on procedures, equipment use, and vehicle training are also required to become a fully certified VIPS Officer.
Last year, I attended the eight-week academy to learn more about the police force, the VIPS, and law enforcement in our area. It was a very enlightening and informative experience.
We were presented with information about everything from DUI traffic stops to crime scene investigations. K9 units to domestic assault. Child welfare and protective services to our SRT (Special Response Team). Emergency medical response to drone surveillance. It was 
comprehensive. I recommend the program to anyone curious about law enforcement and what goes on in our city.
comprehensive. I recommend the program to anyone curious about law enforcement and what goes on in our city.
I graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, but I did not go on to take the remaining courses needed to become an official member of VIPS. My responsibilities associated with being on the City Council and other obligations would make that difficult. However, I encourage anyone interested in law enforcement and volunteering to serve our community to consider the VIPS program. It would be great to see our numbers grow and for the Bridgeport VIPS to become the single largest civilian volunteer police group in the state.
More information and the application form to attend the Bridgeport Citizens Police Academy can be found on the City of Bridgeport website at: https://www.bridgeportwv.gov/departments/vips--citizen-police-academy/57
Why Bridgeport? Achieving celebrity and fame may make you a VIP. But that is not the only measure of a person’s importance. Volunteerism, duty, responsibility, and service can elevate a person’s status. The Bridgeport VIPS know that. The members of the Bridgeport Volunteers In Police Service are, in fact, “Very Important People.” Our Bridgeport VIPS are VIPs.
Editor's Note: Top two photos show members of the VIPS at the recent Bridgeport Christmas Parade and bottom photo, inside the Bridgeport Fire Department, show several following a recent event. One of the VIPS vehicles is shown as well.
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