Police Department

RESERVE OFFICERS

Welcome to the Long Beach Police Department Reserve Officer Information Page.

The Long Beach Police Department Reserve Program is a volunteer organization comprised of men and women who are sworn Peace Officers while on duty. The authority and duties of a Reserve Officer are outlined in sections 830.6 and 832.6 of the California Penal Code.

Long Beach Police Reserve Officers are non-paid volunteers who serve at the will of the Chief of Police. They are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel who perform general law enforcement duties including investigations, responding to calls, traffic control, enforcement of laws, special event assignments, and crime prevention programs. Reserve Officers must serve a minimum of 20 hours of service each month to maintain their status. They must also maintain proficiency with their duty weapon and qualify quarterly at our pistol range.

The Reserve Officer Program is a vital asset to our Department. It cultivates a culture of service and partnership with our community and augments resources which are used for the reduction and prevention of crime in our City. This program is the finest example of true community policing, and public safety through partnerships.

There are three (3) Reserve Officer levels. The following are the descriptions and requirements for each level:

Level III Reserves

Level III reserve officers are uniformed police officers who are qualified to carry a firearm at 21 years of age (18-20 years of age cannot carry a firearm). Level III reserves perform various administrative functions within the Police Department. Level III reserve officers are assigned duties at the front desk, with Area detectives and in community relations.

Requirements

1. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application for membership
2. Must be in good physical and mental health with no disabling physical condition
3. Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license
4. Must not have a history of criminal or improper personal conduct that may affect suitability for police work
5. Must possess a United States high school diploma or GED equivalent
6. Must be a United States citizen or have applied for citizenship

Level I and II Reserves

Level I and II reserve officers perform the same functions as regular, full-time police officers. They are armed, uniformed peace officers who work in police vehicles along with full-time officers.

Requirements

1. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application for membership

2. Must be in good physical and mental health with no disabling physical condition

3. Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license

4. Must not have a history of criminal or improper personal conduct that may affect suitability for police work

5. Must possess a United States high school diploma or GED equivalent

6. Must be a United States citizen or have applied for citizenship

RESERVE POLICE OFFICER SELECTION PROCESS

Interested applicants must submit their application to the Reserve Officer Detail. The procedure for the selection is as follows:

The officer assigned as coordinator/liaison to the Reserve Officer Detail will maintain a current list of interested candidates

• Once a need for additional Reserve Officers has been determined, the Training Division will notify applicants of the time, date and location of the written examination. Training personnel will be responsible for administering the written examination

• Candidates successfully completing the written examination will be notified relative to the date, time and location of the physical ability examination

• Candidates successfully completing both the written and physical ability tests will be scheduled for an oral interview. The interview board will consist of a minimum of two sworn officers, at least one of which will be a member of the Training Staff. The other board member shall be from the Patrol Bureau

• Candidates eligible for selection after successfully completing the aforementioned tests will be subject to an extensive background investigation. This investigation will be conducted by Background Investigators assigned to the Commanding Officer, Training Division

• Final selection shall be determined by the Chief of Police in the same manner as the selection process for regular police officers

• Reserve Officers selected for service shall attend a POST certified Reserve Academy Course conducted by the Training Division