​This work examines in-depth the phenomenon of volunteer policing in the United States. Due to a combination of municipal budget cuts, decreased manpower, and a renewed interest in community partnership, everyday citizens are increasingly joining the police rank and file. This trend provides low-cost solutions for a number of policing problems, but also brings its own special challenges and considerations. This work provides a historical overview of volunteer police in the United States and abroad; an practical overview of volunteer programs throughout the United States including...