‘It’s a drive, it’s an ambition:’ The FHP Auxiliary Unit hits the highways Memorial Day weekend

Jacksonville, Fla. — A group of volunteers, dedicated to helping their community, are gearing up to hit the highway this Memorial Day weekend.

It’s the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Unit.

In Jacksonville, there are 7 members, and throughout the state, there are about 150 members.

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FHP Troop G Auxiliary Major Donald Flynn said it is a growing group, all made up of volunteers.

“It’s a drive, it’s an ambition, it’s inside an individual,” Major Flynn said.

Members of the Auxiliary Unit ride along with FHP troopers in the passenger seat, helping them with anything from a routine traffic stop to a felony arrest.

Some members ride solo to assist with things like abandoned vehicles and broken-down cars.

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And they go through an extensive application process and training.

“It’s a little bit less than 400 hours of training to be an auxiliary person and that encompasses about 9-to-10 months of training and then you are assigned to a troop,” said Flynn.

But once you are assigned to a troop, Major Flynn said being a part of the group is a privilege.

“The state of Florida has allowed me to wear this uniform, after an extensive application and training process, and trust me enough to represent because I am just volunteering,” said Major Flynn.

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