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San Jose Police Department, Reserve Unit

History of the Police Reserve Unit:

On December 8, 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, J.N. Black, Chief of Police of San Jose, called for the formation of a civilian emergency police unit to be part of the police department. In 1960, the organization was renamed The San Jose Police Reserve Unit and it is part of the San Jose Police Department. The responsibilities of the organization were broadened to include not only the civil defense aspects, but general police and law enforcement duties as well. Standards in selection of personnel and training were upgraded to meet and to be in compliance with P.O.S.T., D.O.J., state, and federal laws.

Who are the Reserve Police Officers?

The Reserve Police Officers represent a wide variety of civilian or other government occupations. Some are teachers, engineers, corporate managers, business owners, medical doctors, attorneys, retired police officers, full-time police officers from different police agencies, federal agents, and many others. They are on call to the Police Department 24 hours a day seven days a week. When on duty they are classified as Police Officers with full powers of arrest (830.1 P.C.) whose authority extends to any place in the State. The Reserve Police Officers have the same duties and responsibilities as regular officers. In addition to regular law enforcement duties, they may be called upon to assist in time of major disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. The Reserve Unit performs many community service activities, which include parades, ride-a-long programs, Walk America, and Christmas in the Park. The San Jose Police Department provides an on going training program for its Reserve Police Officers.

The San Jose Police Reserve Unit consists of over 160 well-qualified individuals who have completed the Basic Police Academy or the Reserve Police Academy (Prior to 1997) and are appointed by the Chief of Police and the City Manager. The Reserve Unit is part of the Police Department; therefore it maintains compliance with the same policies, procedures, and duty manual as full time police officers.

What areas can Reserve Police Officers work?

Reserve Police Officers work in all phases of the police department such as Background Investigations, Testing and Records, Recruiting, Professional Standard and Conduct Unit (Internal Affairs), Training, Bicycle Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Metro (Street Crimes), Curfew, Youth Services Detail (Y.S.D.), Patrol Division, Anti-Graffiti, Auto Theft Task Force, Narcotics, Cruise Management Detail (C.M.D.), Airport Division, and many other areas.

The San Jose Police Reserve Unit has received support and leadership from the San Jose Police Department for the past 60 years. The San Jose Police Reserve Unit is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in existence in the United States. The organization continues to contribute over 45,000 hours per year to the City of San Jose.

Level One Reserve Police Officer:

The following are minimum requirements for Level I status:

   * Completion of Basic P.O.S.T. Academy.
   * Level one (lateral with state P.O.S.T Level-1 certificate issued before January 1, 1997).
   * Completion of the San Jose Police Department POST certified F.T.O. program.
   * Pass the Police Department probationary board review.

This is a gun carrying and a full sworn position under 830.6.(a)(2) P.C. The authority of a person designated as a peace officer pursuant to this section includes the full powers and duties of a peace officer as provided by section 830.1 P.C. whose authority extends to any place in the State. The reserve peace officers in this section are assigned to the prevention and detection of crime and the general enforcement of the laws of this state. Level one peace officers may work alone (without immediate supervision), with another level one officers, or with a full-time officer. Level one peace officers may work in any phases of the police department. Level one peace officers are eligible for promotions.

Training:

The Reserve Police Officer Filed Training Program it is exactly the same as the full-time Police Officers Training Program. Reserve Police Officers are required to study the same policies, procedures, and duty manual.

All three shifts-day, swing, and midnight-must be worked. The Reserve Recruit Officers will be evaluated by an F.T.O. (field training officer). The recruit officers are expected to perform as solo beat officers at the end of their training program. During the 500 hours of F.T.O. training, the Recruit Reserve Officers will be evaluated on job training performance, given written exams, quizzes, midterm, and the final exam. Each test must be passed.

Once the Officers successfully complete the 500 hours of POST certified training program, they are required to go to the probationary board and must be able to answer any questions from the duty manual, Departmental policies, and procedures. Recruits' performance during the F.T.O. program will also be evaluated.

Selection Process:

1) Job Application 2) Written Test 3) Physical Agility 4) Written Psychological Exam 5) Oral Psychological Interview 6) Polygraph Examination 7) Background investigation 8) Medical Examination 9) Director's Interview 10) Staff Board Review

Ranking Structure:

The Reserve Unit has an internal ranking structure identical to the full-time police department. The full-time San Jose Police Duty Manual grants the reserve police rank the same authority as a full-time San Jose Police Officer rank to insure a complete and smooth operation of the department. It allows the Level One Reserve Police Officers the opportunity to be promoted within the Reserve Unit to Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, Police Captain, Police Deputy Chief, and Assistant Chief of Police.

Title	Insignia
Assistant Chief
Deputy Chief
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant