The initial pilot program was tested in the Tellico Village Community for one year and was deemed a success. The C.O.P. Program now has approximately 60 volunteers patrolling Tellico Village and designated neighborhoods within Loudon County. C.O.P. vehicles are clearly marked patrol units, however, marked differently from Loudon County Sheriff’s Office patrol units.

Ralph Kidd was appointed by Sheriff Tim W. Guider as the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Liaison/Director for the C.O.P. Program in 2011, replacing Daryl Smith who took another position within Loudon County. Jerry Schwartz was appointed to the position of Captain of the C.O.P. Program in 2011, after the death of Jim Caygill, who was instrumental in setting up the C.O.P. Program with Sheriff T. W. Guider and had served in that position since the beginning of the C.O.P. program.

The C.O.P. program is divided into three squads, consisting of 20 volunteers each, headed by a Squad Leader. The volunteers are required to patrol two three hour shifts during their patrol dates, for a total of six hours per month. These patrols are made on a daily basis, at random times during the 24 hours of the day. In addition, there may be more than one patrol unit on duty during the same day. Patrols include, but are not limited, to patrolling neighborhood streets, construction sites, commercial business, boat ramps and marinas, within Loudon County.