Gwinnett police, parks department starting volunteer patrol group

The Gwinnett County Police Department and Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation are starting a volunteer park patrol program.

The program, Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (VCOP), will monitor county parks in order to make them “safer and a more enjoyable place to visit,” according to a police department release.

The group will conduct “high visibility patrols” in county parks and report suspicious activities or violations of law. Members must complete the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy and additional VCOP-specific training.