Many members of the community seek a more professional level of involvement with the police department while maintaining their present careers and vocations.  Others are retired or semi-retired and wish to pursue a more challenging community involvement and association with the police. Volunteers in the Madera Police Department enjoy both high praise and peer relationships within this professional workforce. 

Volunteers and reserve police perform credible tasks which enhance the overall effectiveness of the agency. Volunteers are often retired or looking towards fulfilling personal interests achieved in law enforcement. Generally, they perform work within the records and communications divisions while reserve police officers maintain outside professional careers. However, several current police officers have transitioned from their former professions to become full-time police officers.

Becoming a volunteer or a reserve peace officer is a decision which should not be entered into lightly. Both are demanding positions and considerable reliance is placed on individuals performing functions in the department. Personnel are often scheduled to assigned shifts and tasks and may be required to do more than simple menial tasks. All members of the police department consider them to be peer professionals in all respects.