NCJ Number
149983
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: (July-September 1993) Pages: 268- 276
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the definition/purpose of reserve officers; the legal aspects of reserve officer use; examples of successful reserve officer programs; Selma, N.C., reserve officer program; and the advantages and disadvantages of Selma's reserve officer program.
Abstract
The author uses the definition of reserve officers crafted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (1990): "... a non-regular, sworn member of a police department who has regular police powers while functioning as a department's representative, and who is required to participate in a department's activities on a regular basis." Each department's reserve-officer program must tailor its functions and authority to the laws that govern its jurisdiction. Some examples of successful reserve officer programs are the Arlington County Police Department (Virginia), the Salem Police Department (Illinois); the Goose Creek Police Department (South Carolina); the Belding Police Department (Michigan), and the Gilbert Police Department (Arizona). The final section of the article focuses on the Selma Reserve Officer Program (North Carolina). Topics discussed are demographics, financial considerations, legal considerations, training considerations, the training program, and the advantages and disadvantages of the program. Advantages include cost savings, enhancement of patrol personnel resources, and the establishment of a qualified and motivated pool of applicants for full-time service. The only disadvantages are the time and energy expended in planning and organizing the reserve officer program. 7 references and appended Selma Police Department Field Training Officer training list and the field training final evaluation checklist