The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is actively recruiting for the Olympic Discovery Trail Patrol Auxiliary Team (ODTPA).

The ODTPA is a team of dedicated volunteers that are directed by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office to provide additional resources to patrol the Olympic Discovery Trail. While team members have no law enforcement authority, they observe and report to law enforcement suspicious or criminal behavior, safety issues, and ideas for environmental designs that may help in the prevention of crime.

The team patrols predominately on bicycles wearing brightly colored jackets with sheriff’s office insignia, making them clearly identifiable to the public as volunteers. Team members get training on self-defense, trail etiquette, positive public contacts, and first aid in accordance with sheriff’s office’s mission, vision and values.

Team members can also be found on the trail cleaning up garbage and used needles that are hazards to citizenry and pets. During a recent patrol, ODTPA team member Alan Barnard and crew collected 35 bags of trash and secured 168 used hypodermic needles discarded along the Waterfront Trail.

Those interested in joining the team are asked to contact Sergeant Amy Bundy at abundy@co.clallam.wa.us.