VOLUNTEERS IN POLICE SERVICE
VIPS INFORMATION VIPS ANNUAL REPORTS VIPS MEMBERS

Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS)

The Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) program is a partnership between the Buckhannon City Police Department (BPD), the Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), the Upshur County Citizen Corps Council (CCC), and the Upshur County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The BPD recognized the opportunity to recruit local citizens to assist the police department during larger scale events. They approached the above organizations with the idea citizens could serve as an informational extension of the police department.

Members of the VIPS program are First Responders and have been trained in First Aid, CPR, basic search and rescue, basic firefighting, traffic and crowd management, and basic disaster response. VIPS members assist the police department with such tasks as public relations, search and rescue, disaster response, investigations, traffic management, and crowd assistance during community events. While VIPS members are performing these tasks, the BPD officers will be free to focus on more department specific tasks, such as criminal investigations and protecting our community. A complete list of member training can be found here.

If you are interested in having VIPS at your next event, please download and complete our Service Request Form located here.

If you would like more information about our VIPS program, click here to download a brochure.

If you are interested in becoming a member of VIPS, download the application here and return it to the police department.

Must be willing to help the community

Must be willing to meet new poeple

Must be interested in working closely with law enforcement

Must be willing to wear a cool uniform and hat

Must be over the age of 18

Must be willing to undergo background check

VIPS Annual Reports
Listed below are links for the annual Buckhannon Police Department Crime Statistics Reports. You may click on the link to view the annual report from that year.

For reports prior to 2017, email the VIPS Coordinator

All reports are saved in PDF format. You will need a PDF viewer to read the reports. Adobe Reader is available here.  
VIPS Annual Report

2017

VIPS Annual Report

2018

VIPS Annual Report

2019

VIPS Annual Report

2020

VIPS Annual Report

2021

VIPS Annual Report

2022

VIP Annual Report

2023

VIPS Members

Steve Wykoff
Coordinator Steve Wykoff
350
Steve volunteers as the Coordinator for the VIPS program with the Buckhannon Police department when not working as the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Upshur County. Steve is one of three founding members still active with the organization.

Steve holds numerous certifications in the health and safety field, and in the emergency management field. He is also an instructor for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and the only CERT instructor trainer in Upshur County. In addition to teaching various CERT classes, he also teaches American Heart Association First Aid / CPR / AED courses, Stop The Bleed (STB) courses, and several FEMA courses. Steve has been actively involved in the community and volunteered with various other emergency services such as the Upshur County Emergency Squad (EMT, 1992-2004), American Red Cross (1995-2006), Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (2008-current), American Heart Association (2019 – current), as well as youth organizations such as Upshur County Little League (2008-2011) and Upshur County Flag Football (2008).

In October 2018, Steve was honored as a Jefferson Award recipient for his community service with the VIPS program. Founded in 1972, The Jefferson Awards Foundation is a non-profit organization that "recognizes, inspires and activates volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America."
Randall Tenney
Task Supervisor Randall Tenney
352
Randall is a life-long resident, as well as an active and productive member of Upshur County. He graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1997, then attended Fred W. Eberle Technical Center where he spent two years completing his diploma in the Building Construction program. Later in life went back to college at Purpose Institute in Morgantown WV and received an Associate Degree in
Ministerial Studies in April 2015.
Randall is employed at Cole Truck Parts in Buckhannon where he is the current manger. He has been a member of
Ellamore Fire Department Station 5 since 2021. Randall has 3 beautiful
daughters Brittney, Kaitlyn, and Larissa Tenney. He has one grandson, Kaden Lane. Keeping in tradition, his daughters and grandson all reside
here in Buckhannon. Outside of VIPS, Randall enjoys anything in the great outdoors such as hunting, fishing, riding his ATV, but mostly, Randall loves spending time with family and friends. Randall attends Cornerstone Community Church. Although VIPS is strictly a
volunteer position, he takes his oath seriously and is ready, willing, and able to help the citizens in Buckhannon and the surrounding areas.

David Rowan
David Rowan
354
David is a lifelong resident of Upshur County and one of three founding members still active with VIPS. He joined VIPS to gain further insight into the inner workings of police department after becoming interested in law enforcement by watching crime drama television shows.

David is currently the only VIPS member to receive the Meritorious Service award from Chief of Police Matt Gregory. David was instrumental in identifying a wanted felon who fled to Buckhannon from out of state, which led to the felon’s arrest and subsequent extradition.

In his spare time, David continues to help the community by volunteering at the Parish House daily as he has since 2005. You will also see David walking around town with his dog, Foxie.
Vito Syski
Vito Syski
355
Vito is a second-generation immigrant to the United States and a naturalized American citizen. He is proud to have received a commendation for good citizenship from the governor of Maryland. Prior to moving to Buckhannon, he spent many years in the Indexing Section of the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD as a contractor until his contract ended in 2016, at which time he decided to retire and move to West Virginia with his wife.
Vito holds a B.A. degree in music from the University of Maryland, College Park. His volunteer activities reflect his desire to give back to the community for the privileges he has enjoyed in a free country. Vito regularly attends Create Buckhannon and Buckhannon City Council meetings, is active in his local church, and a pianist with the Buckhannon Chamber Orchestra.In Maryland, he volunteered with the Maryland Food Bank and was a choral singer in a Bethesda, MD church choir for 28 years.
One of his interests is crime prevention and investigation, and watching crime shows on TV. The VIPS program assists the Police Department, freeing them to focus on law enforcement. With his respect for the police force, and the goals of VIPS, the program was an immediate match.
Evelyn Syski
Evelyn Syski
356
Evelyn lived in Baltimore, MD for 68 years prior to settling in Buckhannon. Currently she volunteers with the VIPS. This program piqued her interest as her brother is a retired police officer from Baltimore City and she has a high respect for the work of the police department.

She is an active member of Create Buckhannon, attends City Council meetings, and is active in her church. She also volunteers at the Buckhannon Senior Center by calling "Bingorobics" (a combination of bingo and aerobics) for seniors.

Prior to moving to Buckhannon, Evelyn had a 36-year career with the federal government. Volunteering has been an active part of her life by serving through the years as: a Board Member on the Elvaton Towne Condominium Association; Chairman of the Pack Committee for Cub Scouts; and as a lay therapist for the Prevention of Child Abuse for the State of Maryland. Evelyn also volunteered as a financial councilor for her church, served/volunteered with the Combined Federal Campaign, Muscular Dystrophy, and Cystic Fibrosis. She also taught English Second Language (ESL) in two facilities for two years. Prior to leaving Baltimore, Evelyn worked part time as an Activity Specialist at both Arbutus and Lansdowne Senior Centers as well as coordinating their lunch programs.
Andi Cartier
Andi Cartier
357
Andi currently is a volunteer with Celebrate Recovery, WV Leadership Academy, VIPS and GRaCE Resource Center.

Andi has fond memories of spending time here in Buckhannon with her grandparents. Andi completed BA and MA degrees in Psychology, plus doctoral coursework. During college Andi served as a Big Sister, worked in the Admissions Office and as a Relief Houseparent. During graduate school Andi served as a Volunteer, Trainer and Speaker Bureau member for a Crisis Call Center and its Sexual Assault Response Team; she also worked as a Teaching Assistant, Summer Instructor and Mental Health Tech.

Andi then began a 27-year career with a private contractor for the USDOL Job Corps program, starting in Counseling and Student Services at Job Corps Centers in NV, WV, and MD. In 1994, Andi moved on to Corporate responsibilities for what became 15 Job Corps Centers operated by her employer.

In 2014, Andi moved here to be with her mom and see what was next. She found several forums for continuing to learn, grow and serve, including: Celebrate Recovery; WV Leadership Academy (WVLA- a peer-advocacy organization); AmeriCorps VISTA, with Opportunity House Inc; Mental Health First Aid-Adult certification; CCAR Recovery Coach Academy course completion; Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) as a Peer Specialist and Group Facilitator for the Drop-In Center; ‘Citizen Police Academy’ and basic ‘Community Emergency Response Team’ (CERT) training for Buckhannon’s Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS); grant application for rehab needed to open the Ruth House; City of Buckhannon’s Leadership Academy; and the Recovery/Life Coach and Recovery Coach Professional training programs through Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment (GRaCE).
Allen Nash
Allen Nash
358
Allen moved to the Buckhannon area in 1996. He served as a coach and referee for several youth sports over nine years. After 32 years of service as a government employee, Allen retired in 2015. Allen now stays busy by volunteering with the Upshur County Public Library, Buckhannon Nature Park & Learning Trail, American Red Cross Disaster Services, and VIPS.
In January 2021 he was selected by the City of Buckhannon as a recipient of the Buckhannon Exemplary Service Testimonial (BEST) Award for his dedication and service to our community. Recently Allen assisted the American Red Cross in the Hurricane Laura disaster response in Texas and Louisiana.
Allen Nash
Robyn Riggs-Simon
359
Robyn was born and raised in Buckhannon, and has lived here her entire life. She is the daughter of the late Dale and Carolyn Riggs. Robyn has four daughters and eight grandchildren. During her career, Robyn has worked at St. Josephs Hospital, Suddenlink Cable, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and was a Supervisor at Regional Elkins DMV
Office until her retirement.
Robyn has volunteered and served in various organizations such as the WV Strawberry Festival Board of Directors, BURMA, Republican Executive Committee, the State Republican Executive Committee, appointed as a member at large, First Vice President of the WV Republican Women. She has also served for 20 years on the WV Board of Hearing Aid Dealers appointed by Governor Underwood. She spear-headed and raised over $30,000 for “Baby Abby”, an infant with Cancer and also “Christmas In The Park” at the City Park. Robyn was the original organizer of the First Responder Dinner during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival for all Law Enforcement in 2002, and served on Buckhannon City Council for a short time.
When asked why she wanted to become a member of VIPS, she
replied “God has been good to me in many ways in my life and I want to give back same in helpful ways to law enforcement and to the City of Buckhannon".
Gerald Thompson
Gerald Thompson
360
Bio coming soon
Alexis Claus
Alexis Claus
361
Bio coming soon
VIPS Logo
Your Name Here
362
You could be the next VIPS member on our webpage!

For more information about VIPS, download a brochure.

When you're ready to join VIPS, fill out an application and send it in to us.
VIPS Logo
Your Name Here
363
You could be the next VIPS member on our webpage!

For more information about VIPS, download a brochure.

When you're ready to join VIPS, fill out an application and send it in to us.
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Buckhannon Public
Safety Complex
24 South Florida Street
Buckhannon WV 26201

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