LODI – Joann Evans was honored Tuesday as California’s Volunteer Coordinator of the Year during the 13th annual Law Enforcement Volunteer & Coordinator Conference held in Lodi.
Evans, Madera County Sheriff’s Department’s Community Service Officer, “was chosen to receive this prestigious award for her exemplary service to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement volunteers, and the citizens of Madera County,” Sheriff John Anderson announced.The day-long conference is well attended every year by volunteers and sworn personnel from law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
As CSO, Evans has been coordinating the Madera County Sheriff’s Citizens On Patrol (COP) program since its inception more than a decade ago.
“For the past 11 years, CSO Evans has demonstrated strong leadership skills advising our 34-volunteer unit, equipped with a fleet of 10 patrol vehicles,” Anderson said.
As COP Coordinator, Evans must be available 24/7 to manage five area divisions, Anderson said, including East Valley, West Valley, Coarsegold, Oakhurst and North Fork.
“Volunteers assigned to our COP unit wear a number of hats, and when deployed, CSO Evans is always at the helm,” he said.
Duties performed by COP volunteers under Evans’direction include:
- assist in county search and rescue and recovery operations
- secure crime scenes
- assist California Highway Patrol with accidents sites
- assist with traffic and chain control
- help during parades/public demonstrations
Volunteers also play a critical role in organizing Neighborhood Watch programs, and in assisting the sheriff’s Civil Division, where they collect court judgments issued against businesses in Madera County.
Evans also coordinates the Department’s Citizens On Patrol annual membership campaign, and COP academy.
“Her work ethic and dedication, can only be described as above reproach,” Anderson added.
