LEOMINSTER -- They carry guns, they're trained to defend themselves and administer first aid, and they even have the authority to arrest people at times.
The Auxiliary Police don't get paid for what they do, and they serve on a part-time basis.
But they're an asset to the city, because they help the police when extra manpower is needed, officials say.
"They're motivated," said Police Chief Peter Roddy. "A lot of them are just interested in police work, but are in different lines of work."
The city has beefed up its all-volunteer auxiliary unit over the last year in order to prepare for a disaster like a flood or a hurricane, according to Charles Coggins, director of emergency management.
The city has 22 auxiliary officers now, Coggins said.
Officials realized they needed to increase the auxiliary ranks when the roster dropped to only six people, Coggins said.
The volunteers typically help out with things like traffic and crowd control at parades and events, such as the annual Starburst show at Doyle Field, according to Coggins.
But if the city has to open its emergency shelters during a disaster, they will need the volunteers to help police the people staying there, Coggins said.
"In a shelter environment, you have the same socio-economic problems that you have on the street," Coggins said. "Things can easily get out of hand, so you need to have law enforcement present."
The city issues guns and badges to auxiliary police officers, but the volunteers have to buy their own uniforms and even pay for their own training, according to Coggins.
"It's a very expensive unit to belong to," Coggins said.
The auxiliary police force has members ranging from retired veterans to people who want to become cops, Coggins said.
"It's a good way for the police department to evaluate people in an auxiliary role without having to make the commitment of hiring someone," Coggins said. "And there are several police officers that started as auxiliary officers."
The city council approved the appointment of Charlie Toro Williams to the auxiliary police on June 26.
Williams told them he hopes volunteering will help him become a police officer.
"I'm using this as a stepping stone, and hopefully I'll get to the police department in Leominster," he said that night.
Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella served as an auxiliary police officer about 25 years ago, then became a city cop after going to college, he said.
"By being auxiliary, I got a chance to see it," he said. "A lot of times people go to school for something and don't get any experience. Then when they actually see it, they find out it wasn't what they thought it was."
Mazzarella worked as a police officer prior to becoming mayor in 1993.
It's good that the city is stepping up its auxiliary force now, Mazzarella said.
"When something big happens, you can't all of sudden start training people," he said. "The wrong time to start looking to train people is in the middle of it all."
The Emergency Management Department is currently holding some applications from prospective auxiliary officers while trying to make a few changes to the program, such as getting the city to partially reimburse members for their uniforms, Coggins said.
But people who wish to apply to volunteer for other positions in the department can do so at 37 Carter St., Coggins said.
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