Ramsey County Sheriff's Foundation

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is proud to serve alongside dozens of community members who volunteer thousands of hours annually in support of Sheriff's Office programs and events. Volunteer roles include Community Affairs Officers (C.A.O.s), Chaplains, and more. These volunteers assist with crime prevention; park patrols, Kid Print, theft from auto prevention, Night to Unite block parties, community events, disasters and more.

Grants: uniforms, equipment, recognition events, training programs

An annual, national neighborhood block party event to strengthen neighborhood spirits and public safety/community partnerships; generate support and participation in crime prevention, community policing; heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and more.

Grants: supplies, outreach, and recognition events for neighborhood block club captains.

Ramsey County School Patrol equips, trains and recognizes the school patrols in suburban Ramsey County. With donations from local businesses and various organizations, the Sheriff’s Foundation provides equipment while the Sheriff’s Office trains the patrols. The Foundation also sponsors an annual recognition picnic near the end of each school year for all students who serve as safety patrols in their schools.

Grants: flags and safety vests, annual recognition picnic

Funds raised allow for the purchase of heat sensors to alert deputies if K-9 squad car temperatures rise to unsafe levels; automatic door openers that allow deputies to release the K-9 from their squad car as needed; and K-9 cage inserts to protect dogs while traveling in squad cars. 

Grants: specialized equipment, dogs, dog/handler training, regional and national trials

The Sheriff’s Water Patrol Unit has almost 80 reserve deputy volunteers who support law enforcement, safety instruction, and promotion of safe boating and riding habits on the county’s lakes, rivers, and trails.  Volunteers in the Water Patrol Unit also support search and rescue efforts.

Grants: safety and rescue equipment, boats, and other programs.

The Sheriff's Office's Mounted Patrol is made up of all volunteers who volunteer their time and use their personally owned horses to patrol the various county parks and properties. They are a staple at community events such as Hot Dog With a Deputy and Fright Farm where they provide a security presence as well as a great conversation starter for community engagement. The horses and riders receive special training from the Saint Paul Police Mounted Patrol Unit.

Grants: truck and horse trailer, safety equipment

Shop With a Cop is an annual event which pairs sheriff's deputies and other volunteers with underserved youth. The Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Foundation partners with community groups to find children and families in need. On a Saturday in December, a huge contingent of law enforcements and kids take a ride to a local Target store where the deputies help the kids find holiday gifts for their family members. The Sheriff's Foundtion provides funds to purchase thousands of dollars in gifts in partnership with Target stores. Then they all return to headquarters for a meal, social time, and gift wrapping. This allows invaluable opportunities for the kids to interact in a positive way with law enforcement.

Grants: meals for participants and volunteers, holiday gifts for children and their families

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office hosts this community gathering event at parks throughout the county in a summer initiative to build connections with the communities they serve. A mobile food trailer serves hot dogs and other snacks free of charge while deputies and volunteers have fun and engaging interactions with the community.

Grants: mobile food trailer, food and supplies, lawn games, giveaway prizes