Levels of Reserve Classifications 



California has 338 law enforcement agencies which currently employ nearly 10,000 reserve peace officers. Since reserve   peace officers have the same powers of arrest as regular officers they are required by law to meet the same hiring,  background, medical and psychological standards as regular officers. Reserve officers are assigned to different duty levels based on the POST certified training which they have received.

RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS STATUS SUMMARY - JULY 1999

 

 APPOINTMENT                 AUTHORITY               ASSIGNMENT            SUPERVISION                  TRAINING

LEVEL  I
830.6(a)(1)PC
832.6(a)(1)PC		 24 Hours* or only for the duration of the person's specific assignment GENERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT Same as Regular Officer (Determined by the agency) Regular Basic Course(664 hours) **Field Training Program(400)hours
LEVEL II
830.6(a)(1)PC
832.6(a)(2)PC		 Only for duration of the person's specific assignment GENERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

LIMITED SUPPORT DUTIES: 
May work assignments authorized for Level III Reserve Officers

 Immediate supervision by a peace officer who has completed the POST Regular Basic Course.
Without immediate supervision		 Level III and Level II Modules
(386 hours) CPT
(40 hours every 2 years)
LEVEL III
830.6(a)(1)PC
832.6(a)(3)PC		 Only for the duration of the person's specific assignment LIMITED SUPPORT DUTIES:
Traffic control, security at parades and sporting events, report writing, evidence transportation, parking enforcement and other duties that are not likely to result in physical arrests. May transport prisioners without immediate supervision.		 Supervised in the accessible vicinity by a Level I Reserve Officer or a full-time Regular Officer employed by a law enforcement agency authroized to have reserve officers. Level III Module(162) hours

* Agencies may appoint a Level I Reserve Officer (who has completed the POST Regular Basic Course) to full 830.1 PC powers and duties (24 hour) by authority of a city/county ordinance/resolution (830.6(a)(2)PC.

**The POST Regular Basic Course may be satisfied by attending an intensive or extended format academy, the Modular Format, Module D with pre-requisites:(a) Modules A,B,and C (222 hours) and (b) current First Aid/CPR (Title 22-EMSA Standard), or the Transition Program - Pilot Format.
 

The following is the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training Bulletin #99-4

Subject: COMMISSION APPROVES CHANGES TO RESERVE TRAINING PROGRAM

Following the public hearing on January 21, 1999, the Commission approved the changes in Commission regulations and procedures that revise the reserve training program. These revisions are in response to changes to Penal Code section 832.6 caused by the passage of three Senate Bills [SB 1874 (1995), SB 786 (1998), and SB 1417 (1999)]. These amendments to Commission regulations and procedures are effective July 1, 1999, subject to the approval of the Office of Administrative Law. A summary of the amendments follows:
 

  • Regulation 1007 and Procedure D-1 are amended to establish Reserve Training Modules III,II,and I as the Regular Basic Course - Modular Format.
  • Regualtion 1007 is amended to require Level I reserve officers to complete a POST approved Field Training Program, consisting of a minimum of 400 hours,  upon completing the Regular Basic Course.
  • Commission Procedure H-1 is amended to reflect changes in definitions of reserve officers, supervision requirements, and field training.
  • Commission Procedure H-4 is amedned to establish completion of the Regular Basic Course, a POST approved Field Training Program of 400 hours, and 200 hours of general law enforcement experience as the requirement for obtaining a Reserve Officer Certificate.
  • Commission Procedure H-5 is amended to establish June 30,1999 as the final appointment date for Level II and III reserve officers who have been trained under the Module A, B, and C format. Level II and III reserve officers appointed on or after July 1, 1999 shall be required to satisfactoryily complete the minimum training requirements specified in Regulation 1007(b).
Questions concerning these changes to POST regulations and procedures should be directed to Special Consultant Frank Decker at (916)227-4549.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERTAINING TO THE RESERVE PROGRAM
JANUARY 1999



The following questions and ansers are based on the changes in Commission regualtions and procedures approved by the Commission after the publick hearing on Janurary 21, 1999. These amendments will take effect on July 1,1999, subject to the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.
 

QUESTION #1.
How will current Level II and III reserve officers be affected by the revised reserve training program?

Answer: Current Level II and III reserve officers will retain their present status and will not be required to take additional training unless they change agencies on or after July 1,1999. Level II and III reserves, appointed on or after July 1, 1999 , must meet the revised training standard.
Note: Level II and III reserves may be appointed on or before June 30,1999 on the basis of the current Module A and B format.
 

QUESTION #2.
What will happen to Modules A, B, C, and D when the revisedd reserve training program becomes effective?

Answer: Beginning July 1, 1999 there will be a two-year overlap period when both the Module A, B, and C format and the revised reserve training program will be certified for presentation.

  • The overlap period is intended to allow Level I candidates who started their training in the current format to meet the pre-requisites for Module D before Modules A, B, and C are decertified.
  • The overlap period will be of no beneift to Level II and III candidate because they must meet the revised training standard if they are appointed on or after July 1, 1999.
  • Module D will be certified for an additional year, after Module A, B, and C have been decertified, to allow Level I candidates to complete their training.


QUESTION #3.
What are the choices for an individual who has completed Modules A, B, and C but has not been appointed as a Level II or III reserve officer on or before June 30,1999?

Answer: He or she can meet the requirements for Level I by completing Module D. In order to become a Level II or III reserve he or she must complete the apporpiate training requirements in the revised reserve training program.
 
 

 (exerts from the P.O.S.T. homepage)