The Holmdel Township Police Department is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). In affiliation with 180 Turning Lives Around, and with the assistance of the response team volunteers, the Holmdel Police Department continues to make available this service to victims of domestic violence. Applications are available now.

The volunteer advocates with 180's DVRT program are civilian members of the community who work in collaboration with the police to provide crisis intervention and safety planning to victims of domestic violence at Police Headquarters. The specially trained advocates also discuss with the victim their legal rights in regard to obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. The volunteer advocates help to empower victims to make decisions bout their own lives. The identities of the DVRT volunteers are kept anonymous. The 40-hour intensive, mandatory training course will be provided to successful applicants at no cost.

180 will be conducting the next four-week training, Oct. 24 through Nov. 16, Mondays through Wednesdays, 6-9:30 p.m. in the courtroom at Tinton Falls Borough Hall, 556 Tinton Ave.

Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required. The services of the Domestic Violence Response Team are available to victims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at Holmdel Police Headquarters, 4 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel.

Basic requirements for volunteers to apply include: being 18 years of age or older, having access to transportation and a valid driver's license, being willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, participate in an interview process, submit to background investigations and fingerprinting, and successfully completing the mandatory training.

Holmdel Police Department and 180 Turning Lives Around are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community. Bi-lingual capability is helpful. Please contact Sergeant Michael Pigott at 732-946-9690, ext. 1866 to obtain an application or for additional information.

For 35 years, 180 Turning Lives Around has been dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, protection, support, prevention, education and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, you can call the 180 Turning Lives Around Confidential Hotline at 732-264-4111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, visit www.180nj.org. In an emergency, dial 911.