Volunteer
The Pima County Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers, Inc.
The Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers (SAVs) are a nationally recognized, award-winning organization comprised entirely of volunteer citizens. The SAVs support residents of Pima County living in unincorporated areas encompassing 9,241 square miles in Tucson, Green Valley and Ajo.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department SAV members perform a number of important tasks vital to the overall mission of the Sheriff’s Department. These operations include Patrol, Crime Prevention, Neighborhood Watch, Field Operations and Emergency Response, Administration, Fingerprinting, Special Activities, and Recruiting and Training.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers are exceptionally trained individuals who represent the Department in an extraordinary manner. Since 1982, this non-profit volunteer organization has provided over 1 million hours of service to the community. The SAVs extensive contributions make them a vital part of our efforts to enhance the quality of life within the community we serve.
If you are interested in volunteering with nationally recognized organization, please contact your local SAV office.
Tucson: (520) 351-4903
Green Valley: (520) 351-6744 or visit their website
Ajo: (520) 387-8531
Divisions and Programs
Patrol
The Patrol Division provides support in various Pima County Parks and in current county Neighborhood Watch areas. They also assist Search and Rescue, respond to calls for service, and assist the public at the neighborhood level. In addition, they look for signs of graffiti, suspicious or illegal activity and damage to county property. Our Bike Patrol unit rides along the county portion of The Loop as a deterrent and to be an extra set of eyes and ears for the Sheriff's Department.
Neighborhood Watch
The Neighborhood Watch Division is responsible for managing and assisting Neighborhood Watch Organizations within the county. SAVs provide training to neighborhood leaders on running successful Neighborhood Watch programs.
Recruiting and Training
The Recruiting and Training Division actively seeks new members. It provides training to new and existing members.
Fingerprinting
SAVs provide adult fingerprinting services for such needs as employment and educational clearances at their offices on Benson Highway and in Ajo. Volunteers are also highly skilled at Child ID, which can be scheduled for special events.
Field Operations
Field Operations SAVs provide non law enforcement roles at major incidents such as traffic control at accident scenes, natural disasters, and crime scenes. Volunteers are also responsible for driving and maintaining the Sheriff's Department Mobile Command Center Vehicles. Volunteers must complete specialized Field Operations training to be considered for this division.
R U Ok Program
This program is offered in Ajo. Participants choose either a morning or an evening phone call from the Sheriff’s Department to check on their welfare. If you do not answer the phone, a member of the Ajo SAVs will be sent to your house to check on you. Call (520) 387-8539 to sign up.
Citizen Care Program
This program is offered in Green Valley. Members of the Green Valley SAV visit with members of the community who may be alone or have health problems, to check on their welfare. If you would like more information about this program, please call (520) 351-6744.
Special Activities
The members of this division are responsible for participating in a multitude of safety fairs and public events. McGruff the Crime Dog is a popular member of the team. Events such as the Adopt A Family program and other SAV sponsored events, are also organized by the Special Activities Division.
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention SAVs are responsible for a number of tasks including teaching safety classes performing home security checks. These tasks are designed to be proactive and to empower citizens to reduce crime risks.
Scam Squad
The Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers work with commissioned deputies to help the citizens of Pima County resist the schemes of financial predators. Working together with the community, they empower individuals to combat fraud through awareness, education, and interaction.
Home Security
SAV members will go to your home and conduct a free safety and security evaluation. They offer advice on ways to improve any weaknesses found. Members also teach citizens how to protect their homes and property.
Administration
Administrative support SAVs perform clerical functions for different sections and investigative units within the Sheriff's Department.
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 18 years of age (at time of application)
- Valid Driver's License
- Able to read, write, and speak the English language
- Successfully pass a background inquiry
- US Citizen or Legal Resident
To learn more about the qualifications in your area, contact your local SAV office.
Tucson: (520) 351-4903
Green Valley: (520) 351-6744 or visit their website
Ajo: (520) 387-8531
Training
Associate Course (Introduction Class)
12 hours classroom/12 hours On the Job Training
- Department Organization
- SAV History
- Rules and Regulations
- Civil Liability
- Standards of Conduct
- Use of Force
- Fingerprinting
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- EEO
- Office Etiquette
- 12 hours OJT
Basic Course
(40 hours - Mandatory)
- Uniforms
- Defensive Driving
- Scam Squad
- Geography
- Basic Traffic Control
- Public Speaking
- Department Programs Training
- Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch/Home Security
- CPR and AED
- Internal Affairs
- National Incident Management System
Field Operations
(3 Weeks - Optional)
- Emergency Response
- Traffic Control/Point Control
- Radio Procedures
- Accident Scene and Crime Scene Management
- Special Events in the Field
Park Patrol
(1 Week - Optional - FO Qualified)
- Threat Assessment/Use of Force/OC Spray
- Radio & MDC Training and Procedures
- DD Reporting/Use of Digital Cameras
- Patrol Car Pushbar
- Special & Rotating Assignments to County Parks
Donations
The Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers is a non-profit organization supported largely by donations, using no public funding. Donations are accepted at the following locations:
Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers
Tucson Division
1750 E. Benson Highway
Tucson, Arizona 85714-1758
Phone (520) 351-4903
Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers
Green Valley Division
601 N. La Cañada Drive
Green Valley, Arizona 85614-3440
Phone (520) 351-6744
Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers
Ajo Division
1249 Ajo Well Road
Ajo, Arizona 85321-9701
Phone (520) 351-8511
You can also donate directly to the Tucson SAV's PayPal account using the button below.
To donate to the Green Valley SAV's please visit their website at gvsav.org/
If you experience any difficulties, please call (520) 351-4615.
Thank you for your support!
Our History
In 1978, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department introduced the Citizen Bear to Green Valley. The Citizen Bear was comprised of Green Valley volunteers who facilitated the use of Citizen Band radios for communication. At this time, the role of the Citizen Bear in the community was limited to search operations and home visits. Although volunteerism was in its infancy at this time, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was a national leader. With that in mind, it was no surprise that Sheriff Dupnik decided to expand volunteerism even further.
Sheriff Dupnik tasked a group of individuals to develop a larger more comprehensive group of volunteers. The focus was to develop a program which would model the Green Valley Citizen Bear group while serving all of unincorporated Pima County.
The initial progression was slow; however, the Department soon learned that the talent of the volunteers vastly exceeded our expectations. The Citizen Bear program evolved into a new concept of volunteerism. This evolution also prompted a change in the name. Our volunteers came to be known as the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Auxiliary Volunteers, Incorporated.
It did not take long for the responsibilities of this volunteer organization to expand far beyond what was initially anticipated. The following are a few examples:
- 1982 Crime Prevention Education
- 1983 Home Security Presentations
- 1984 Neighborhood Watch
- 1984 Fingerprinting
- 1985 Generalized Patrol Operations
- 2006 Parks Patrol
- 2012 Scam Squad
- 2014 Vacation Checks
- 2015 Bike Patrol
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department Auxiliary Volunteers (SAV) are exceptionally trained individuals who represent the Department in an extraordinary manner. Since 1981, this non-profit volunteer organization has provided over 1 million hours of service to the community. Through their contributions, the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers are a vital part of our efforts to enhance the quality of life within the community we serve.
Contact Us
If you are interested in joining the Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers (SAV) or would like additional information, contact us by phone or mail at:
Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers
1750 E. Benson Highway
Tucson, AZ 85714-1758
Phone: (520) 351-4903
Green Valley Division:
601 N. La Canada Drive
Green Valley, AZ 85614-3440
Phone: (520) 351-6744
Ajo Division:
1249 Ajo Well Road
Ajo, AZ 85321-9701
Phone: (520) 351-8511