Reserve Division
The Walker County Sheriff's Office is supported in its day to day operations by a very dedicated group of individuals that comprise the Reserve Deputy Division. Currently we have 15 Reserve Deputies that donate their time and efforts to assist the Walker County Sheriff's Office. This unit is made up of a wide variety of individuals to include; college students, business owners, retirees and many others. The Reserve Deputy Division falls under the command of Chief Deputy Ralph Williams
Reserves are responsible for working many different details falling under the jurisdiction of the Walker County Sheriff's Office. They also provide an invaluable service to the Patrol Division by supplying additional personnel in the patrol cars. Reserve deputies are encouraged to ride with the deputies as often as possible, thereby adding additional personnel which greatly enhances our patrol abilities. Often times this provides for a two man patrol unit, which allows us to keep other deputies spread out in other sectors of the county when the need arises for more than one deputy to handle an incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a Reserve Deputy? Answer: The first thing you must do is fill out an application and submit it for approval. These applications can be picked up at the front desk of the main office at the Sheriff's Department. This position is very competitive as there are relatively few positions available.
If i submit an application, do I automatically become a Reserve Deputy? Answer: No. This is an application process similar to applying to any other job. A complete background investigation will be conducted and completed before you can go any further. Once a list is compiled of potential candidates , an interview is then conducted and the most qualified individuals are selected, provided there is an opening.
How many Reserve Deputies can you have? Answer: We currently have 15 positions allotted for this division and are currently at full staff. We continue to take applications because there may be turn over due to some members graduating or moving on to other things.
Are there any physical requirements for being a Reserve Deputy? Answer: Yes, you must be able to perform the same duties as a Certified Deputy Sheriff.
Do I have to supply my own firearm? Answer: Yes. We are not financially able to provide a firearm for each Reserve Deputy at this time.
Is there any particular make or model of a weapon to be carried by Reserve Deputies? Answer: Yes. The weapon must be a Glock .40 or 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun. All certified deputies are issued and required to carry Glock .40 or 9mm caliber handguns and all Reserve Deputies must carry the same weapon. This requirement enables ammunition cartridges and ammunition to be interchangeable with other deputies in an emergency situation.
What type of basic equipment will I need to purchase? Answer: You will be responsible for purchasing your own equipment such as your duty weapon, badge, uniform, boots and leather gear. In order to purchase a badge, a letter of authorization will be required by most vendors. Leather gear that is purchased will be black in color and of the basket-weave pattern. The boots will be black in color. If you are approved as a Reserve Deputy you will then be authorized to purchase uniforms that contain the Walker County Sheriff's Office patch. The Reserve Deputy will be informed at time of approval of the type, color, and brand of the current most approved uniform.
When everything is said and done, how much money is all of this going to cost me? Answer: Your total cost will depend on if you already have an approved handgun and whether you decide to purchase a new or used Glock. You can expect to spend approximately $400 to $500 dollars on gear as a startup cost.
Ok, now I have my weapon and my badge. When can I go out and arrest someone? Answer: Never! Out on their own, Reserve Deputies have no more arrest power than a normal citizen since they are not APOST Certified Deputy Sheriffs. Reserve Deputies work under the command of an APOST certified deputy sheriff.
How much do I get paid being a Reserve Deputy? Answer: This is a volunteer position and therefore it is a non-paid position.
Do Reserve Deputies have meetings? Answer: Yes. This gives us an opportunity to meet with everyone as a group and to make everyone aware of any upcoming events, such as training dates or details that must be covered.
Are reserves required to qualify with their weapons? Answer: Yes. Each reserve must qualify with his or her weapon at least one time per year. Reserves use the same course of fire that all deputies use with a minimum score of 70% required to pass.
What about other weapons, such as OC/CS (pepper) Spray or batons? Answer: Anyone carrying these weapons must receive training and be qualified with each weapon before carrying them. Each weapon has its own set of requirements. For example: To carry Freeze + P , candidates must attend training, pass a written exam, and be sprayed in the eyes with the Freeze + P. This is done so that a candidate will know what the effects of OC/CS spray are on a person. Reserves are not required to carry OC/CS spray if they do not wish to go through the training. Chief Deputy Anthony Leach is the department's Less Lethal instructor, along with Inv. Josh Key
Can reserves work in other areas besides the Patrol Division? Answer: Yes. From time to time we need additional personnel in the Communications Division or the Walker County Jail. If a reserve has interest in a particular division we will do everything possible to provide time for them to work in their areas of interest. Keep in mind, the Patrol Division is a reserve's primary area of responsibility.
How often does a Reserve Deputy have to work? Answer: A reserve deputy must work no less than 8 hours a month.
I used to be a Reserve Deputy, so am I still good to come work at the Sheriff's Office? Answer. If you have not worked 8 hours a month, have not qualified with your handgun every year, nor been in touch with Chief Deputy Anthony Leach, then you are not on the Reserve Deputy list. You must contact Investigator Chief Deputy Anthony Leach to reapply.
Does being a reserve help me get hired on as a full-time deputy? Answer: You do build valuable relationships by working as a reserve deputy in which we get to know you, your character, and your work ethic, however, full-time deputy slots are allocated by the Walker County Civil Service Board. You will be required to apply through Civil Service to be a deputy. You will then take a written test and a physical agility test. If you pass both, you will be placed on the Civil Service eligible register. As far as Civil Service is concerned, no special consideration is given to a Reserve Deputy.
If you have not found the answer to your question regarding the Reserve Program, please contact Chief Deputy Ralph Williams at (205) 302-6464.
Reserves are responsible for working many different details falling under the jurisdiction of the Walker County Sheriff's Office. They also provide an invaluable service to the Patrol Division by supplying additional personnel in the patrol cars. Reserve deputies are encouraged to ride with the deputies as often as possible, thereby adding additional personnel which greatly enhances our patrol abilities. Often times this provides for a two man patrol unit, which allows us to keep other deputies spread out in other sectors of the county when the need arises for more than one deputy to handle an incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a Reserve Deputy? Answer: The first thing you must do is fill out an application and submit it for approval. These applications can be picked up at the front desk of the main office at the Sheriff's Department. This position is very competitive as there are relatively few positions available.
If i submit an application, do I automatically become a Reserve Deputy? Answer: No. This is an application process similar to applying to any other job. A complete background investigation will be conducted and completed before you can go any further. Once a list is compiled of potential candidates , an interview is then conducted and the most qualified individuals are selected, provided there is an opening.
How many Reserve Deputies can you have? Answer: We currently have 15 positions allotted for this division and are currently at full staff. We continue to take applications because there may be turn over due to some members graduating or moving on to other things.
Are there any physical requirements for being a Reserve Deputy? Answer: Yes, you must be able to perform the same duties as a Certified Deputy Sheriff.
Do I have to supply my own firearm? Answer: Yes. We are not financially able to provide a firearm for each Reserve Deputy at this time.
Is there any particular make or model of a weapon to be carried by Reserve Deputies? Answer: Yes. The weapon must be a Glock .40 or 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun. All certified deputies are issued and required to carry Glock .40 or 9mm caliber handguns and all Reserve Deputies must carry the same weapon. This requirement enables ammunition cartridges and ammunition to be interchangeable with other deputies in an emergency situation.
What type of basic equipment will I need to purchase? Answer: You will be responsible for purchasing your own equipment such as your duty weapon, badge, uniform, boots and leather gear. In order to purchase a badge, a letter of authorization will be required by most vendors. Leather gear that is purchased will be black in color and of the basket-weave pattern. The boots will be black in color. If you are approved as a Reserve Deputy you will then be authorized to purchase uniforms that contain the Walker County Sheriff's Office patch. The Reserve Deputy will be informed at time of approval of the type, color, and brand of the current most approved uniform.
When everything is said and done, how much money is all of this going to cost me? Answer: Your total cost will depend on if you already have an approved handgun and whether you decide to purchase a new or used Glock. You can expect to spend approximately $400 to $500 dollars on gear as a startup cost.
Ok, now I have my weapon and my badge. When can I go out and arrest someone? Answer: Never! Out on their own, Reserve Deputies have no more arrest power than a normal citizen since they are not APOST Certified Deputy Sheriffs. Reserve Deputies work under the command of an APOST certified deputy sheriff.
How much do I get paid being a Reserve Deputy? Answer: This is a volunteer position and therefore it is a non-paid position.
Do Reserve Deputies have meetings? Answer: Yes. This gives us an opportunity to meet with everyone as a group and to make everyone aware of any upcoming events, such as training dates or details that must be covered.
Are reserves required to qualify with their weapons? Answer: Yes. Each reserve must qualify with his or her weapon at least one time per year. Reserves use the same course of fire that all deputies use with a minimum score of 70% required to pass.
What about other weapons, such as OC/CS (pepper) Spray or batons? Answer: Anyone carrying these weapons must receive training and be qualified with each weapon before carrying them. Each weapon has its own set of requirements. For example: To carry Freeze + P , candidates must attend training, pass a written exam, and be sprayed in the eyes with the Freeze + P. This is done so that a candidate will know what the effects of OC/CS spray are on a person. Reserves are not required to carry OC/CS spray if they do not wish to go through the training. Chief Deputy Anthony Leach is the department's Less Lethal instructor, along with Inv. Josh Key
Can reserves work in other areas besides the Patrol Division? Answer: Yes. From time to time we need additional personnel in the Communications Division or the Walker County Jail. If a reserve has interest in a particular division we will do everything possible to provide time for them to work in their areas of interest. Keep in mind, the Patrol Division is a reserve's primary area of responsibility.
How often does a Reserve Deputy have to work? Answer: A reserve deputy must work no less than 8 hours a month.
I used to be a Reserve Deputy, so am I still good to come work at the Sheriff's Office? Answer. If you have not worked 8 hours a month, have not qualified with your handgun every year, nor been in touch with Chief Deputy Anthony Leach, then you are not on the Reserve Deputy list. You must contact Investigator Chief Deputy Anthony Leach to reapply.
Does being a reserve help me get hired on as a full-time deputy? Answer: You do build valuable relationships by working as a reserve deputy in which we get to know you, your character, and your work ethic, however, full-time deputy slots are allocated by the Walker County Civil Service Board. You will be required to apply through Civil Service to be a deputy. You will then take a written test and a physical agility test. If you pass both, you will be placed on the Civil Service eligible register. As far as Civil Service is concerned, no special consideration is given to a Reserve Deputy.
If you have not found the answer to your question regarding the Reserve Program, please contact Chief Deputy Ralph Williams at (205) 302-6464.