The “job” requires that they volunteer 50 hours per year covering events such as parades and festivals, as well as emergency situations like traffic control and crowd management. Last year the unit logged nearly 1,500 volunteer hours; allowing the Waukesha Police Department to focus their resources on public safety while the Reserve Unit covered auxiliary tasks. Here are some of the members’ reactions to receiving the award.
I felt a great deal of surprise and pride when I heard that our team won the award for Volunteer Group of the Year. I have only been with the reserve unit a little over a year, but in that short time have made many friends and met many dedicated to United Way to Waukesha Police Department and the City of Waukesha.
For any people who attend events in Waukesha, you have likely seen us. Instead of navy blue Police shirts we wear powder blue. We direct traffic at runs, sporting events and parades. We give police station tours. Our service saves officers from being called in on off days and saves the department overtime costs.
I would also like to thank Lt. Joe Hendricks, our leadership team of Mary, Jim, Mark, and Maria, and all of my fellow Reserves. We are all ambassadors for the Waukesha Police Department and for the City of Waukesha. Thank you United Way for choosing us for this honor from what was assuredly a very deep, deserving pool of applicants. I couldn’t be happier or more proud.
- James LaPaz, Reserve Unit Member since 2014
Being awarded the Volunteer Group of the Year by United Way is a great honor. All members of the organization are highly dedicated to assisting the Waukesha Police Department maintain public safety - whether it be directing vehicles away from walk/run participants or keeping watch over downed power lines.
Our members are strong believers in volunteering. Being recognized by United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County is further inspiration to continue giving back to the Waukesha community.
- Mary Pakenham, Reserve Unit Coordinator since 2000