More about the CAP Program

Citizens Assisted Patrol, or C.A.P., is a program initially started by the Sheriff’s Office to assist law enforcement officers in combating crime throughout the county. C.A.P. volunteers patrol the unincorporated areas of the county using specially marked golf carts and patrol cars acting as extra eyes and ears for law enforcement. C.A.P. volunteers are provided with uniforms. Volunteers do not carry weapons and have no law enforcement powers. All C.A.P. volunteers are subjected to background checks and must participate in training. There are 67 C.A.P. communities throughout the county. 

Not only are they in the unincorporated areas of the county, but also in the cities of Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, and Dundee. This extremely successful program assists the Sheriff ’s Office in deterring crime by providing highly visible patrols who report suspicious activities to the Emergency Communications Center and district supervisors. 

For more information on volunteer opportunities or the C.A.P. program, ask any volunteer wearing the CAP T-Shirt or driving a CAP vehicle.  In addition, you can call Volunteer Services at 863-298-6681 to obtain an application, then send it to: PCSO Volunteer Services Unit, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven, FL, 33880.