These volunteer officers relieve regular line officers from performing auxiliary tasks and other functions that deplete the number of regular officers on the street. The Auxiliary unit is used in a variety of functions ranging from crowd and traffic control to assisting regular officers search a crime scene for evidence. The unit is used also for disasters (i.e., to secure areas and direct traffic because of downed power lines, flood areas and many other disaster situations). Ferndale Police Auxiliary members receive a great deal of training, both ongoing as well as formal training. Ongoing training is done locally at the department or around the station (if the auxiliary is practicing traffic direction). The Auxiliary Coordinator directs all training.Formal training is conducted at Oakland Community College, Oakland Police Academy. The Auxiliary receives 120 hours of classroom and range time, covering 14 topics in the classroom.

Some functions performed by the auxiliary unit include:

• ‍State Fair pedestrian crosswalk
• ‍Memorial Day Parade directing traffic and security at the parade
• Dream Cruise traffic and crowd control

The requirements to become an auxiliary officer in Ferndale are as follows:

• ‍Have a high school diploma
• ‍Be subjected to a background check
• ‍Have no criminal record
• ‍Pass an oral board interview
• ‍Approval and acceptance by the command staff of the Ferndale Police Department

Use the link above to apply and for more information on the Auxiliary Officer Position.