Volunteer Opportunities

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is a great place to volunteer. You will learn new skills and you'll meet great people who share your commitment to community.  Volunteers work in the following areas: Jail, Emergency Squad, Mounted Patrol Unit, Water Patrol Unit, Mobile Amateur Radio Corps, and the Explorers.

By joining the Emergency Squad, you could become a life saver. Our highly trained Emergency Squad is part of the Patrol Division. It's an all-volunteer group of special deputies who provide emergency support services to the Sheriff's Office and police and fire departments throughout Hennepin County.

You will receive training that allows you to respond to personal injury car accidents, medical emergencies, and water rescues. Your future with the Emergency Squad could include First Responder certification and learning vehicle extrication (the "Jaws of Life"). Your training will likely include information about assisting with Project Lifesaver, a program that helps track people who tend to wander, such as those with Alzheimers and autism.

Special deputies need to have a strong desire to help others, compassion, and time. The initial program requires roughly 300 hours in the first year of service. After the first year of training, Emergency Squad members typically contribute a minimum of 192 hours per year through duty shifts, training, special details and emergency callouts.

To qualify, you must have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver's license, be a United States citizen and pass a background investigation. To learn more, please contact Sgt. Jennifer Johnson 612-596-9818 or Jennifer.E.Johnson@co.hennepin.mn.us  Or visit their website at www.emergencysquad.org.

Emergency Squad special deputies are highly-trained civilian volunteers who respond to personal injury accidents, medical emergencies and natural disasters.