Orland VIPS take their bows

They work traffic control, clean up after accidents, provide crowd control and event security, patrol the streets, help police and fire departments in emergencies and more.

Orland's Volunteers in Police Service took a break from their many duties Sunday evening to honor their own at an appreciation awards dinner at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.

Receiving the award for 2009 VIPS member of the year was Janice Cooper. VIPS Caryn Brown, who handed out the awards with Gerald Rice, said "VIPS of the year is not lightly taken."

Police Chief Bob Pasero gave the award for Peace Officer of the Year to Orland police officer Mike Stover. Pasero said the entire the police staff voted for Stover except one; Stover voted for someone else.

The volunteers were joined by friends, family and local dignitaries Pasero, Mayor Bruce Roundy and Glenn County supervisors Tracey Quarne and John Viegas. Viegas was the Orland police chief when the VIPS formed 11 years ago.

VIPS Karen Reichle thanked the volunteers for their extraordinary efforts in the last year pointing to their work during the 2008 fires, Motoricicle and Sunburn runs and their support for local veterans that included a trip to Colorado to welcome home Iraq war veterans.

Also thanked were businesses that support the VIPS and the Orland Police Department, especially VIP coordinator Officer Sean Johnson.

Johnson said four years ago, in his first year, VIPS averaged 1,800 hours of service to the community. Last year, he said, they put in 2,400 hours and this year they have already volunteered 2,200 hours.