About & Governance
About Citizens Auxiliary Patrol
Who We Are
Citizens Auxiliary Patrol (CAP) is a community-based public safety support organization. Its roots go back to the mid-1990s in Southern California, and it is headquartered at 2108 N St, MS N, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Our History
Since the mid-1990s, CAP has focused on community safety, public awareness and neighborhood preparedness. We see our work as part of a long American tradition of citizens volunteering for the safety of their communities, from civil-defense wardens to Neighborhood Watch and CERT. Read more on our History page.
CAP is an independent organization and is not affiliated with any organization named there.
What We Do
- Community outreach and public awareness on safety and preparedness
- Safety education and training resources for residents and members
- Encouraging residents to report emergencies and crimes to 911 and other concerns to their local police non-emergency line
- Working alongside local communities and supporting the public-safety goals of local agencies
What We Do Not Do
CAP members are not law enforcement officers and have no police powers. Members do not stop, question, search, detain or arrest anyone, do not enforce any law, and do not act on behalf of any government agency.
Disclosure
When a government agency asks for volunteer help, such as staffing a preparedness fair or a cooling center, CAP volunteers may assist under that agency's direction. CAP volunteers never perform law-enforcement duties.
Operating Standards
- We operate in accordance with local laws.
- Members complete safety-awareness orientation before taking part in outreach activities. New volunteers complete an orientation covering CAP's role boundaries, safety and basic preparedness.
- Members wear no badges, police-style uniforms or insignia, and carry no weapons on behalf of the organization.
- We protect the personal information people share with us. We use the information you send only to respond to your message. We don't sell or share it.
- Governance documents are available on request through the contact form.
Leadership
For governance or organizational questions, please use the contact form.