The department is making plans to recruit new volunteers to apply for the program and attend the VIP academy, which will be held early next year.

VIPs must spend a minimum of four hours a week volunteering, but some do their jobs as much as 30 hours a week. Duties range from office work to field activities, such as handicap parking patrol and transporting police vehicles.

Gwen Cross, volunteer coordinator for the department, will know the deadline to apply and dates for the academy sometime this week. In the meantime, she is asking for interested residents to contact her at 408.354.6842.

Cross is also coordinating a police department presentation to Los Gatos banks. The Dec. 17 early-morning event will provide information to bank managers so that they can train employees on what to do in case their bank is robbed.

According to Cross, the presentation was put together in response to the Oct. 30 Bank of the West robbery. The police department has contacted all 15 of the banks in town and expects a turnout of approximately 25.

Cross said Hotel Los Gatos will be hosting the event as a show of support to the community.