What is a Reserve?

Reserve/Auxiliary Law Enforcement Units are made up of persons who are interested in the welfare of the People and in the protection of property in their community.  These persons are of the "Community Policing" ilk as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).  This country's 400,000+ "ULTIMATE VOLUNTEERS" are Peace Officers who are interested in the principles of "just" and "equitable" Law Enforcement.  A well organized Reserve Division serves as a readily available source of properly trained, backup manpower for both large and small Law Enforcement Departments.  They join together to assist their local, state, county, and national Law Enforcement agencies in the fight against crime through the performance of their duties - that of effective and reliable back-up for full-time Officers.  Reserve/Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officers serve their agencies in routine Department activities, in emergencies, in natural disasters, and in special departmental divisions of expertise.  Besides donating many hours per month to their Law Enforcement agencies, many Reserves also hold down full-time jobs; plus most have families. (PHOTOGRAPH:  Warrensville Heights Police Reserve Color Guard Unit, from Ohio, participate in the Canadian National Police Memorial Parade in Ottawa, Canada.  The photograph was submitted to NRLO by the Warrenville Heights Police Reserve.)

With proper state-authorized training requirements met and with continued education, many Reserves attain full "powers of arrest."  It should be understood at the outset of forming a Reserve Unit that Reserve Officers can attain the same powers of arrest as full-time Officers only when full powers are granted to them by the highest state authority (within whatever limitations are imposed by that authority's "definition" of the law or legislation in place).  This authority can be the Governor, the State Attorney General, the Secretary of State, a city's or county's governmental council, or other ordinance/proclamation/legislation authority; but most likely, a state will have its own commission or educational entity to set and enforce Reserve Law Enforcement Standards and Education.

Training requirements (basic, intermediate, and advanced) are most often spelled out in "state legislation" for Reserve/Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officers.  Following basic education, continuous in-service or academy training should be provided in a timely manner for Reserve Officers.  (In-service Field Training units should be under the direction of Departmental Senior Officers; and when applicable, they can be under the direction of Reserve or Special Training Officers.)

Because of the high level of training that Reserves are achieving across the country, they are being utilized more and more by progressive, savvy department leaders at all levels of operation, including that of training.  During the last 10 years, the NRLO's official publication, "Reserve Law OFFICER",  has reported on many department leaders across the country who have stated that it would be difficult to operate their Departments at 100% efficiency levels without the utilization of their Reserves/Auxiliaries.

It is not the purpose of Reserves to take the place of regular, full-time and/or part-time Officers already in place within a Department.  It is not the purpose of the Reserves to deter the progress and/or advancement of full-time Officers when Departments increase personnel allotments.  As most Reserves pay for their own expenses and work without pay, agencies should be able to afford to train and to hire MORE full-time, paid Officers.  (PHTOGRAPH:  Reserve Officer Keith Earney on Traffic Control during Daytona Beach Bike Week in Florida.  Photograph taken by R. Edward Morrow, NRLO Membership Assistant Director.)

The use of the word "Reserve" on this web site is not intended to imply that it is the only proper word for use by Law Enforcement Agencies when describing their force of volunteers.  It is pointed out, however, that "Reserve" is the name most generally used throughout the United States.  Some departments call their volunteers "Auxiliary Officers/Deputies."  Attention is also directed to the many Auxiliary Police Units which originated and operated under Civil Defense.  They may perform the same functions as a force that operates as a Reserve Police Unit.  Although Auxiliary describes a volunteer Law Enforcement Officer, it is not used as often as "Reserve."  Municipalities generally use the term "Reserve Police" although some may call their Units "Auxiliary Police."  Many states have laws which provide for exact terminology; and in some cases, specify other names in order to provide differentiation between types of established Officers.  For example, some states permit City Mayors to call up "Special Police," which are usually different from Reserve or Auxiliary Police.

Most Reserves donate their time to their Departments at no cost to the community's tax payers; and in many cases, they must pay out of their own pockets for training, uniforms, equipment, and supplies.  Also, Reserves are not always eligible for insurance provided to full-time Officers by the city, county, or state.  NRLO strives to provide its Membership with benefits and services which include adequate, cost-effective, in-line-of-duty accident medical insurance coverage and accidental death payments and disability insurance.  Please see Benefits and Services for more information.

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NATIONAL RESERVE LAW OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 6505  SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
(210) 805-8917  Fax: (210) 804-2463  e-mail:  nrloa01@earthlink.net