Volunteer with us

Residents and community members can become part of the Sheriff’s Office by volunteering. Become a Special Deputy, volunteer in the jail, or if you’re a young person, get involved with Explorers.

Special deputy volunteers

Special Deputies are community members specially trained for a variety of public safety duties.

Special Deputy duties can include:

  • Search and rescue
  • Horseback mounted patrol
  • Patrol of the county’s lakes and rivers
  • Community events and parades
  • National Night Out/Nite to Unite
  • Open houses, citizen academies, and public demonstrations
  • Emergency callouts
  • Natural disasters
  • Water safety inspections
  • Support patrol operations
  • Traffic and crowd control
  • Crime scene support
  • Amateur radio operators
  • Motorist/citizen assists
  • Medical emergencies
  • Underwater rescue team (must have 2 years’ special deputy experience)

Apply to be a volunteer Special Deputy

For more information about volunteering as a Special Deputy contact Sergeant Troy Kostohryz:

Jail volunteers

More than 100 residents from a variety of community groups volunteer at the Hennepin County Jail to give instruction to inmates. Topics include Alcoholics Anonymous, domestic violence prevention, and religious instruction.

Apply to volunteer at the jail

For more information about volunteering at the jail, contact Adam Hernke: