Volunteers have been formally and informally supporting law enforcement efforts for more than a century through auxiliary and reserve programs. Over the years, the growth of the community policing movement and recent challenging economic circumstances faced by state and local governments have changed the face of law enforcement volunteer programs in many ways.

In 2002, President George W. Bush laid the groundwork for the National Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program through the USA Freedom Corps initiative. With the support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) launched the VIPS program in May 2002. This month the program celebrates its 10th year of providing support and resources to state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus law enforcement agencies.