What is a Reserve Officer ?
A Reserve Officer under the Ohio Revised Code is part of a police unit set up within the police department. Reserve Officers are not paid. Reserve Officers are sometimes called Auxiliary Officers or Specials depending on the agency the officer works for. While the Mayor is ultimately responsible for the hiring of a Reserve Officer, the Police Chief is responsible for the scheduling and training of this officer.
Why have Reserve Officers?
First of all since the Reserves are volunteers they can save a municipality a lot of money. When comparing Wakeman Reserves to other agencies, it is a unique situation in the way that the Reserve Officers are utilized. In Wakeman the Reserves have the same powers of arrest as do the paid Officers. The only difference is that the Reserves are not paid. Over the past 5 years the Wakeman Reserve Program has saved the Village of Wakeman over $140,000. This figure does not include added expenses such as retirement matching or call in time for court. Many of you aren't aware, but the Village of Wakeman by law has to match a percentage of funding with PERS and the Ohio Police and Fire Fund when Officers are paid. Part-time Officers are with the Public Employment Retirement System (PERS) while Full-time are with Ohio Police and Fire. Paid Officers also receive 3 hours in pay for appearing in court and for being called in by the department for an emergency situation.
Special Points of Interests about the Reserve Officers:
They have the same powers of arrests as do the Paid Officers.
They supply their own uniforms including bulletproof vests.
They receive a well versed abundance of traffic enforcement training.
They are trained right along side of the full-time and part-time Officers.
They have saved the Village of Wakeman over $140,000 in salaries over the past 5 years.
The Wakeman Reserve Officer Program
Do the Reserve Officers buy their own Uniforms?
A Reserve Officer is responsible for buying his or her own complete uniforms with name badges and etc. They are also required to purchase police boots, their duty belt with all of the tools of the trade, and of course a bulletproof vest. These items can cost well over a $1000. The only few pieces of equipment that they receive from this department is a badge, 4 shoulder patches, a policy and procedure manual, and a police I.D.
What is a Police Commission?
One of the main reasons a new cadet, fresh out of the police academy, would want to work here for free is that by working for a municipality his or her commission is then held by the State of Ohio. Once you graduate from the police academy you have to find a police commission within 2 years with some type of agency approved by the State of Ohio. If not your time spent in the academy was wasted and you’ll have to repeat the academy again as required by the State of Ohio (558 hours of class). Once you have received a commission, for example with Wakeman as a Reserve Officer, your commission is then held until you leave the department. Then at which point you’ll have 4 years to find another commission before repeating the police academy. This is considered a break in service. Another reason Officers come here is for the experience. For a small department we have much of the updated equipment and tools needed to effectively enforce the law. The Officer receives a well versed abundance of traffic enforcement and a touch of criminal activity at a slower pace. They can utilize these skills here or with another dept. agnecy. agency.
The Reserve Officer Training
The required amount of training is usually no more than 120 hours in a 2 to 3 months time. At the end of the 120 hours the Field Training Officer will then determine if the Reserve is ready to work on his or her own. In the past the training could range anywhere from 20 to 40 hours depending on the new Officer. So obviously the new training procedures have definitely made a positive impact on our new Officers. After the training is successfully completed the Reserve Officer will then be required to work at least 16 hours a month depending on the various needs of the department. Some work drug cases with the Chief while others are placed on the schedule to work the road.
The Future of the Reserves!!!
We have been very fortunate that we have been able to utilize this program so effectively with limited hurdles. The Reserve Officers are here because they are dedicated to the career of helping people. Many of the Reserves that have moved on have kept in touch and have expressed their gratitude to Wakeman for such an experience. Everywhere over the years the use of the Reserve Officers have changed in many ways, but they will always be needed. Some have even referred to Reserves as a hidden weapon or a powerful addition to any agency. Either way a very valuable asset and will always be a necessary element.
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This page was last updated: March 3, 2009
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