Citizens Helping in Parking Solutions (CHIPS) is made up of everyday people who care about their community and are willing to take the extra effort to make a positive difference. Our purpose is to increase awareness of challenges facing disable people by participating in a non-confrontational program developed and certified by the Dallas Police Department (DPD).
This process is performed by community involvement, education, and enforcement through the issuance of citations for those that are non- compliant. Open communication and friendliness is a key component in the endeavor.
Each CHIPS volunteer has an initial commitment of classroom and on- the-job training hours along with criminal background investigations conducted by the DPD.
Classroom training is a one-day interactive training course conducted by CHIPS volunteers, DPD officers, and parking-enforcement associates. Training is performed by experienced and advanced-level CHIPS volunteers, known as filed trainers. The training is based on the professionalism of the volunteer as observed by the field trainer. Each participant’s training hours vary according to their comfort level and adherence to the rules in this role as a volunteer.
Volunteers are issued badge numbers and are sworn in as an officer who is allowed to issued handicapped parking citations as outlined under Texas state law. However, under no circumstances are the volunteers to present themselves as police officers. In addition, CHIPS volunteers are trained to recognize and report suspicious activity, act as the “eyes and ears” of the DPD, and call 911, if necessary.
Volunteers must exhibit a high degree of integrity, interpersonal effectiveness, self-control and leadership capabilities. the volunteer must be 21 years old, maintain a valid Texas driver’s license and proof of auto liability insurance, have no criminal record, and have no physical limitations that preclude issuing handicapped parking citations.
Click Here for more Volunteer Information (Application and Waiver of Liability forms are required.)
