To further our goal of "enhancing the quality of life" for Fresno residents, a joint community and police program was needed. Bringing the Fresno Police Department and the community together was necessary in order to improve the effectiveness of our crime fighting efforts. In August of 1996, Department members and an advisory board of Neighborhood Watch members began work on creating such a program. Law enforcement agencies in California, Arizona, Washington, and England were contacted, and an analysis of their volunteer programs was initiated and completed.

The combined research, Department tours, interviews with supervisors, volunteers and field officers led to the foundation of the Fresno Police Department’s "Citizens on Patrol" program. An academy was developed and our first members graduated on February 25, 1997. Since then, several hundred residents have passed through the academy’s doors. Many have gone on to law enforcement careers, having become police officers, police reserves, and/or community service officers.