News | Peachtree City

PTC establishing ‘volunteer’ police program

Fri, 03/13/2009 - 3:31pm
By: John Munford

Reserve officers would perform all police duties, carry weapon

Peachtree City is seeking volunteers for its new “reserve” police officer program.

The city is hoping to attract people who may have previously served as police officers or are interested in a career in law enforcement. Officers will be required to work 20 hours a month so officers with full-time jobs will be able to take part, said Police Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark.

To be eligible, applicants must either be a certified police officer or attend basic law enforcement training at a regional police academy at their own cost. As such the reserve officers will get to handle the gamut of law enforcement duties from patrol to traffic, surveillance and more.

The reserve officers also will be armed like a regular police officer, Clark said.

Clark noted recently that all reserve officer candidates will be required to complete the same screening and background check process required of full-time police officers. The program will cost up to $6,000 a year to outfit and equip each officer, and Clark noted the department would first use its supplies on hand, including for uniforms.

“If you are the right size, you might get hired. If you’re the wrong size you might not get hired,” Clark joked during his presentation last week to the city council.

Clark said its possible the program will help the department fill full-time positions when they become open because reserve officers will have had time to acclimate themselves to the department’s operations, and police supervisors will know exactly how those officers handle their duties.

The city is hoping to start with up to five reserve police officers. The deadline to submit an application is March 24.

Applicants can obtain an application at www.peachtree-city.org or at City Hall.

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Volunteers - or Professionals...
Submitted by scribbler on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 10:41pm.

I have a lot of respect for our fine police force; the quality of individuals PROFESSIONALLY committed to protecting our city, coupled with thorough training and excellent supervision as they gain experience and move up through the ranks --- Has given us the quality of law enforcement the citizens expect for their tax dollars.

In this matter -- I tend to agree with SPQR... This "volunteer--reserve" program may well prove a magnet for a lot of wanna-be's who are otherwise not qualified.

Reserve officers are not an entirely bad idea -- even on a volunteer basis. But should be used to supplement the fully trained and experienced officers on the force in limited roles and situations:
(1) Traffic duty - including accident investigation
(2) Parade or Event security with radio and non-lethal weapons
(3) Supplemental patrol or surveillance -- "eyes and ears" only...

KEEP IN MIND:
The city could be held liable --$$$$$-- for any mis-steps by these reserve "volunteers" should their lack of training or experience result in an improper use of arrest powers, or heaven forbid-- misuse of deadly force.

Any negligence, or dereliction of duty in such an incident would give the city and the police department an extraordinary black eye.

Just food for thought...

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Magnets and wanna-be's...
Submitted by skippy875 on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 9:39am.

I just finished reading your insert and I would have to agree with you and SPQR on this issue of " volunteer-reserve" officers. While it is an effort to involve the community in the operations of the police force, I can tell you from experience that this is the start of a runaway train! The " rules " will never be the same, the discipline procedures will be stretched to accomodate these " reserves " and it will be just a matter of time before a " bad " or even worse-- a " deadly " misuse of force will occur. The city is liable for their actions, but that's all open to how you view liability. Eventually you could pay them a stipend for their time, or even have them ride along with " professionals " and get paid!! I thought the city was in dire financial times? I believe that the " professionals " are going without merit increases, and you are gonna spend money on Mayberry cops? You could always get a one-sided argument from another department in the city, " We are all the same, just ask." I can see the bruise starting on that " black eye " you were talking about.....

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Deputize all the homeowners....
Submitted by mysteryman on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 8:42pm.

We are the one who are going to finance this endeavor.... Whats the matter with em????? PEACE....

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SIgn me up!
matt.barnes's picture
Submitted by matt.barnes on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 4:20pm.

If I volunteer to be a reserve police officer will they let me drive a 4-wheeler on the golf cart paths? If so, I'm in.


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on second thought
SPQR's picture
Submitted by SPQR on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 1:02pm.

No shortage of people who think a gun and badge will make up for their otherwise painful inadequacy. If they're available and well qualified for this sort of work they would already be employed. If they are not qualified it's troubling to think of them running around in the Barney Fief mode. Volunteer Firemen, good idea. Volunteer police officer, (?)


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I agree!
Submitted by Biggis101 on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 1:11pm.

And didn't the city just say that they were so strapped for money that they had to start charging the police officers to take a patrol car home. They said it would save them approximately 24,000. Now they want to spend $6,000.00 a pop on five "reserve" officers. Oh, and isn't that close to the salary of one full time officer. Wouldn't that be more beneficial to the department. I see a lot of liability issues with Barney Fiefs stopping cars, writing tickets, and taking people to jail.

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