The V.I.P.S. (Volunteers in Police Service) is a national organization developed to provide citizens the opportunity to help their local law enforcement professionals make their community safer. The Valparaiso V.I.P.S. members are graduates of a 10 week Citizens Police Academy offered through the police department yearly. Their volunteer efforts include such activities as the Popcorn Festival, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, Porter County Fair, National Night Out, Gang Resistant Education and Training Program, Citizens Police Academy, Jr. Police Academy, Safety Fairs and many other opportunities.