AUBURN – Hoping to inspire more civilians to volunteer their time, Auburn police will be hosting an open house Tuesday at the Minot Avenue police station.

It is timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week. The event will also kick off a new Volunteers in Police Service program.

The VIPS program is managed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is aimed at rounding up volunteers to assist at their local police departments.

Police say volunteers can help provide services that the public wants but which sworn officers and civilian staff members may not have time to furnish.

Possible services volunteers might provide include data entry, clerical work, telephone answering, traffic control during special events, school crossing and sign or foreign language assistance.

Volunteers will be required to submit an application and are subject to a background check. All applicants must be older than 18 unless they are enrolled in an approved law enforcement program or need to provide a community service to obtain credits for high school graduation.

Anyone interested is encouraged to visit the Auburn Police Department to apply. Those unable to go to the station for an application may call Patrol Officer Laurie Barrett, VIPS coordinator, at 784-7332.