The Ridgecrest Police Department's Reserve program offers individuals a challenging opportunity to be of service to their fellow citizens. As a reserve officer, you will assist the regular members of the department in the fulfillment of its mission, "To protect and to serve."

Training

When you become a police reserve officer, you will be trained for law enforcement service by experienced officers. This training meets the standards established by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for both regular and reserve police officers. You will be required to perform a minimum of sixteen hours of duty a month, which includes training and meetings. You will not receive a salary for service with the reserve program.

Duties

Reserve officers have ample opportunities to complete their duties in the Field or Support Services Divisions:

• Defensive Tactics.
• Firearms/Range.
• Investigations.
• Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement.
• Patrol.
• Special Assignments.
• Traffic.
• Training.

Appointment Levels

Reserve Officers will be appointed at the levels for which they are qualified, based upon academic work, training and/or experience as indicated:

• Level I - Penal Code sections 830.6(a)(1) and 832.6(a)(1) - Level I reserve officers may work alone and perform the same duties as full-time regular officers.
• Level II - Penal Code sections 830.6(a)(1) and 832.6(a)(2) - Level II reserve officers may perform general law enforcement assignments while under the immediate supervision of a peace officer who has completed the Regular Basic Course. These officers may also work assignments authorized for Level III reserve officers without immediate supervision.
• Level III - Penal Code sections 830.6(a)(1) and 832.6(a)(2) - Level III reserve officers may perform specified limited support duties, and other duties that are not likely to result in physical arrests, while supervised in the accessible vicinity by a Level I reserve officer or a full-time regular officer. Additionally, Level III reserve officers may transport prisoners without immediate supervision.

Requirements

Government Code Requirements by Ridgecrest Police Department Policy:

• Age - Minimum age of 21 years. The reserve coordinator can authorize exceptions. Applications may be accepted at age 20, but no appointments will be made prior to 21st birthday.
• Background - Must have a desirable record - Free from convictions by any state or by the federal government of a crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or a state prison.
  • Must be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
  • No use of illegal substances within the last three years.
  • No sales of any illegal substances whatsoever.
• Citizenship - Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Driver's License - A valid California Class "C" driver's license or the equivalent is required at the time of appointment.
• Education - Must be a high school graduate or pass the General Education Development test. A copy of diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent must be submitted.
• Health - After examination by a licensed physician, the applicant must be found to be in general good health, free from any medical, physical or emotional impairment that would prevent you from performing the job of reserve officer.
• Hearing - Normal hearing acuity.
• Height and Weight - Weight in good proportion to height.
• Residence - Must live within a reasonable distance to the City. The Chief of Police can authorize exceptions.
• Vision - Visual acuity of not less than 20/100 (uncorrected) in each eye, corrected to 20/30 in each eye. No marked red-green deficiency or color vision. Each eye free from any abnormal condition or disease which might adversely affect performance of duty.

How to Get Started

Completion of the required level of a POST certified training academy.

More Information

For more information on the Peace Officer Academy at Cerro Coso Community College, please contact the Interim Director of Public Safety at 760-384-6304.

Reserve Officer Application Process

Contact the Ridgecrest Police Department Reserve Coordinator at 760-499-5100 and indicate your desire to take the reserve officer tests. You will be sent a letter giving the date of the next examination. You must have completed the P.C. 832 Course, arrest and firearms and be enrolled in Level III Course at the time of application. If you have not completed the P.C. 832 class, contact local junior colleges and adult education centers for schedules.

View the application process steps:

• Aptitude Test - Each candidate must attain a satisfactory score in the POST Entry Level Examination. (Any applicant who successfully passed the written portion of the POST Entry Level Examination within one year of application for reserve membership can have the written exam waived).
• Background Check - An investigation into each applicant's background shall be conducted to determine his suitability as a reserve officer.
• Medical Examination - Applicants must be physically fit as determined by the city physician, at no expense to the candidate.
• Oral Interview - Applicant's acceptability shall be determined by a board composed of members of the reserve association and/or regular department.
• Physical Agility Test - Each candidate must pass a physical agility test.
• Polygraph (lie detector) Examination - Each candidate must complete a confidential questionnaire and polygraph examination.
• Psychological Examination - Applicants must be mentally fit as determined by the city psychologist, at no expense to the candidate.
• Submission of an application for reserve officer membership and Affirmative Action Form.

Benefits

A uniform allowance is paid upon hire and yearly thereafter.