Police Reserve - Position Summary

Reserves Officers are utilized to supplement law enforcement manpower. Like regular officers, reserve officers are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, reserves are assigned to the same duties as regular officers. Routine tasks such as patrol, booking, warrant service, stake outs and undercover work are just some examples of reserve duties.
Since reserve peace officers have the same powers of arrest as regular officers they are required by law to meet the same hiring, background, medical and psychological standards as regular officers. Reserve officers are assigned to different duty levels based on the P.O.S.T. certified training which they have received.
 
In general, reserve officers are volunteers that may work as little as 24 hours per month and are not compensated for their normal duty time. Reserve forces are comprised of individuals that want to continue the safety and well-being of their community as well as those who desire to work in law enforcement prior to seeking full-time law enforcement career.

Reserve Officers are generally recruited by our agency during, or after successful completion of a P.O.S.T. certified academy. Recruits are required to possess the P.O.S.T. 832 credentials as well as pass the physical ability and background requirements.

For a complete summary of P.O.S.T. mandated training requirements, visit the California P.O.S.T. web site.

Presently, their are three primary leves of reserve officers recognized by California P.O.S.T. They are as follows:

  • Level I Reserve Officers - This is the highest level of Reserve Peace Officers. These officers have the same law enforcement powers and authority as regular officers while on duty and may be utilized in such capacity. To be appointed to this level, Reserve Officers must have completed at least one of the following course regimens and completed the our training requirements.
    • P.O.S.T. Basic Modular Course Level III, Level II and Level I, or
    • P.O.S.T. Basic Academy, or
    • P.O.S.T. Modules A, B, C and D, or
    • Appointed as a Level I Reserve Officer prior to January 1, 1997
  • Level II Resreve Officers - Level II Reserve Officers have peace officers powers and work in a general law enforcement capacity under direct supervision of a qualified regular full-time peace officer. After successful completion of a prescribed training schedule and field experience, the Level II reserve officer is eligible to be promoted to a Level I reserve officer, as long as the oficer has successfully completed the P.O.S.T. prescribed training as outlined above.
  • Level III Reserve Officer - Level three Reserve Officers are deplyed and authorized only to carry out limited duties not requiring general law enforcement powers in the routine performance of duties. This may include duties such as traffic control and crowd cotrol.
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