STARs

STAR -Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees. is a senior volunteer who has agreed to assist the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office with their responsibilities and serve the citizens of El Dorado County. 

The STAR Program is composed of senior citizens who are familiar with El Dorado County. Before assuming their duties, STAR volunteers complete a three-week course includes law enforcement, communications, first aid, drugs, gangs, and traffic control. The current members range in age from 52 to 81. They are a mix of people from all walks of life.

These trained volunteers are used to enhance vital crime prevention services. STAR vehicle units conduct high visibility patrols. Other STARs assist the crime prevention unit, conduct business/home security checks, provide traffic control for accidents and special events, and assist the Sheriff’s Office with administrative duties. STARs function as eyes and ears of the Department. Suspicious activity observed is immediately reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Volunteer approach is termed passive law enforcement and is being successfully used in many cities in the state. Putting extra people on neighborhood and and business patrols and into the paperwork side of the Sheriff’s Office frees deputies for patrol service.