Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Reserve Program

 

HISTORY:	The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office established a Reserve Deputy Program in March of 1976, according to LB 782. Volunteers from the community were recruited to serve without pay as Reserve Officers. The first reserve deputies were certified by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. The program has been in effect without interruption since that time and continues to be an important part of the Sheriff's Office and an asset to the citizens of Scotts Bluff County.
PURPOSE:	To establish a reserve group of law enforcement officers that can assist the Sheriff's Office in fulfilling it's obligations under the law and in accomplishing the mission of the office of the Sheriff. To assist in providing the best possible law enforcement service to the citizens of Scotts Bluff County in the most efficient manner possible. To promote communications and understanding between law enforcement officers and the citizens of the county. To provide a partnership between citizens and law enforcement with a common goal of preserving the peace and providing for the welfare of the citizens of Scotts Bluff County.
FUNCTION:	As a Reserve Deputy, you will be working hand in hand with Sheriff's office personnel to fulfill the functions of law enforcement. When fully certified and assigned to duty, you will possess all the powers of a full-time Deputy Sheriff and are subject to the laws and regulations applicable to law enforcement officers.
QUALIFICATIONS:	The Sheriff shall approve the qualifications and standard by which applicants for membership in the Reserve Program shall be governed. Under no condition shall the qualifications be less than those established by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Title 79. Chapter 8 (004.10A) General requirements are: Must be at least 21 years of age. Cannot have been convicted of a felony or have a criminal or mental health record. Must be able to qualify for a gun permit. Must have a 12th grade education or a GED and be able to pass a TAB Test. Must have employer's permission to participate.
ELIGIBILITY:	The entry requirements for membership in the reserve shall be the same as those required for a Deputy Sheriff by the Merit commission. Reserve Deputy Applicants must be willing to volunteer their time without expectation of material gain or reward for donated time. They must be willing to accept the chain of command and rules of the reserve by-laws, abide by the Uniform Standards of Conduct and the Policies and Procedures that have been adopted by the Sheriff's Office and to put forth the effort to meet the training standards established in the reserve by-laws.
APPLICATION:	Applications can be obtained at the Sheriff's Office, 1875 10th Street, Gering, Nebraska 69341, (308) 436-6667. Applications must be on the form provided by the Sheriff's Office. The application must be returned to either the Sheriff's Office or the Reserve Lieutenant for processing. A letter from that applicants employer, unless self employed or unemployed, stating his/her awareness of the applicants desire to participate in the Reserve Program shall be attached to the application.
MEDICAL COVERAGE:	Reserves are paid one dollar per year by Scotts Bluff County. Each reserve is covered by the County Workman Compensation Plan.
EQUIPMENT:	Reserve Deputies will wear the same basic uniform and have the same basic equipment as a full time Deputy Sheriff. Reserves must provide their own uniform and equipment which must meet the standards of the Sheriff's Office.
TRAINING:	Within the first year of membership, the reserve must complete the mandatory training requirements established by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and those specified in the reserve by-laws. This included PPCT, CPR, and first aid, as well as firearms. Plus two weekends in Grand Island at the training center. Attendance at monthly reserve meetings is required. Thereafter, all remaining training (EVO, haz-mat, ect) required by the reserve by-laws will be completed within a reasonable time. Once the reserve is fully certified, mandatory training will be continued the same as in required for full-time deputies. Reserves are encouraged to take advantage of non-mandatory training as it is offered.
HOURS REQUIRED:	Reserves are required to attend the monthly reserve meetings. Once the reserve is fully certified, a minimum of eight hours of duty time is recommended per month. By law, a reserve cannot exceed 100 hours of duty time per year. Any time in excess of 100 hours must be for the purpose of training.

 

JIM K. LAWSON, SHERIFF SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY

1825 10TH STREET,  GERING, NE 69341

 

For more information contact Chief Deputy Bill L. Hessler

at 436-2005

 

 

 

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