Have you ever seen the Citizen on Patrol (COP) car cruising down your street and wondered about the friendly face behind the wheel? They aren’t just volunteers - they are your neighbors, dedicated to keeping Northlake safe. The journey to becoming a full-fledged member of the COP team is born out of passion, but it is built on dedication and rigorous training.
Step 1: The Foundation
It all starts with graduating from the Citizen Police Academy. Here, residents get a behind-the-scenes look at how our local law enforcement operates. But for some graduates, the desire to serve doesn't stop at graduation. They want to roll up their sleeves and get to work. That’s where the COP program comes in.
Step 2: Leveling Up the Skills
To ensure our volunteers are fully prepared for the road, candidates undergo specialized, additional training - a comprehensive process designed to ensure safety and professionalism at every turn:
Step 3: Real-World Experience
Once the classroom and certifications are checked off, it’s time to hit the pavement. Trainees embark on 12 hours of hands-on training inside the COP vehicle, paired side-by-side with an experienced, seasoned COP driver. This mentorship bridges the gap between theory and practice, showing trainees exactly how to navigate real-world neighborhood patrols.
The Eyes and Ears of Northlake
After passing their 12-hour field training with flying colors, these dedicated individuals officially join the COP team.
Our Citizens on Patrol don't replace our police officers - they support them. By generously volunteering their time to drive the COP car, they serve as invaluable extra eyes and ears for our on-duty officers. Whether they are spotting a potential safety hazard, keeping an eye on local businesses, or simply offering a friendly wave to a resident walking their dog, our COP members work tirelessly to keep Northlake safe, secure, and connected.
The next time you see the COP car rolling through your neighborhood, give them a wave! They are out there for you, driven by a shared love for the place we all call home.
As our COP car drives through the neighborhoods of Northlake, it carries more than just dedicated volunteers - it carries the enduring spirit of one of our most passionate community champions.
The first-ever Northlake COP vehicle is proudly dedicated to the loving memory of Barbara Brodersen. Though Barbara deeply touched the lives of many, she sadly passed away just a few months before the COP program officially launched.
In Loving Memory of Barbara Brodersen
“Her heart was always with this community, and her legacy continues to watch over us all.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Northlake
Barbara’s commitment to the Northlake Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (NCPAAA) and her unwavering support for the vision of the COP program laid the groundwork for what our volunteers achieve today. She poured her time, energy, and heart into making Northlake a safer, more connected place to live. Her dedication was a guiding light for the association, inspiring her fellow alumni to step up and serve.
Rolling on in Her Spirit
Though she isn't here to sit in the passenger seat, Barbara is with our team on every single shift. Every time the COP car rolls out to serve as the eyes and ears for our local police officers, it does so bearing a special memorial emblem honoring her name and her profound impact on the NCPAAA.
Barbara’s dream of a safer community lives on through every mile driven, every neighborhood patrolled, and every volunteer who steps up to protect the town she loved so dearly. She is deeply missed, but through the COP program, her legacy of service will never be forgotten.
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