Strategy #32
Develop an Active and Strong
Reserve/Volunteer Program

Develop reserve and volunteer programs to assist employees with many of the routine and special operational tasks performed by regular staff members.

Background

Volunteer programs provide agencies the opportunity to allow the community to witness firsthand the routine activities of a law enforcement agency.

State the objectives of the reserve and volunteer programs.
Define the eligibility requirements for reserve and volunteer participation.
Outline the organization, roles and responsibilities of the reserve and volunteer program coordinators.
Define the activities that can be performed by reserves and volunteers.
Ensure applicants have a medical evaluation to indicate which type of duties they are capable of performing.
Train and evaluate personnel as appropriate.
Recruit reserves and volunteers by public service announcements, word-of-mouth, print media, and presentations before groups.
Coordinate a volunteer program for senior citizens with a local or regional retired senior volunteer program. Senior volunteers may acquire limited liability and personal injury insurance through this association while participating in the program.
Establish a volunteer selection process to assess the applicant’s ability to meet the duties and obligations of a volunteer.
Conduct background investigations to determine their character and suitability as a reserve or volunteer.

Using volunteers to assist with routine tasks affords a law enforcement agency the opportunity to focus limited personnel resources on pressing problems and allows the agency to enhance its commitment to public service.
Volunteer programs (such as the Explorer Program administered in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of America) can be used to recruit those who may be considering a career in law enforcement and establish positive mentoring relationships.
Volunteer programs provide an opportunity for an agency to reach out to their community and allow the public to learn firsthand of the day-to-day activities of their local law enforcement agency.
Volunteer programs will instill an understanding and appreciation of the justice system, human relations, traffic safety, and the ethics of law enforcement. • Reserve officers can provide additional staffing when and where needed, allowing deployment of regular staff for more critical needs.

Commissioned reserves are difficult to recruit and train due to law enforcement training standards and other requirements. Efforts should be made to make reserve training less burdensome so that it will become more attractive to those willing to serve.
Liability issues and disciplinary actions for volunteers should be investigated and delineated.
Depending on the size of the volunteer program, a regular staff member may be needed to coordinate the operation.
Volunteers in the senior volunteer program (SVP) may form a non-profit corporation and establish a tax-exempt status if the SVP wishes to receive cash donations.
Labor issues may arise within an organization.
Liability for the actions of reserve and volunteer personnel may be attached to the agency.
Staffing may be affected.