On December 8, 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, J.N. Black, Chief of Police of San Jose, called for the formation of a civilian emergency police unit to be part of the police department. In 1960, the organization was renamed The San Jose Police Reserve Unit and it is part of the San Jose Police Department. The responsibilities of the organization were broadened to include not only the civil defense aspects, but general police and law enforcement duties as well. Standards in selection of personnel and training were upgraded to meet and to be in compliance with P.O.S.T., D.O.J., state, and federal laws.

Who are the Reserve Police Officers?

The Reserve Police Officers represent a wide variety of civilian or other government occupations. Some are teachers, engineers, corporate managers, business owners, medical doctors, attorneys, retired police officers, full-time police officers from different police agencies, federal agents, and many others. They are on call to the Police Department 24 hours a day seven days a week. When on duty they are classified as Police Officers with full powers of arrest (830.1 P.C.) whose authority extends to any place in the State. The Reserve Police Officers have the same duties and responsibilities as regular officers. In addition to regular law enforcement duties, they may be called upon to assist in time of major disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. The Reserve Unit performs many community service activities, which include parades, ride-a-long programs, Walk America, and Christmas in the Park. The San Jose Police Department provides an on going training program for its Reserve Police Officers.

The San Jose Police Reserve Unit consists of over 100 well-qualified individuals who have completed the Basic Police Academy or the Reserve Police Academy (Prior to 1997) and are appointed by the Chief of Police and the City Manager. Once hired, reserve officers must also successfully pass the Department’s Field Training Program. As an integral part of the Police Department, reserve officers maintain compliance with the same policies, procedures, and duty manual as full time police officers. Upon completion of the Field Training Program, Reserve Police Officers are able to work in many aspects of the police department.

The San Jose Police Reserve Unit has received support and leadership from the San Jose Police Department for the past 60 years. The San Jose Police Reserve Unit is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in existence in the United States. The organization continues to contribute over 45,000 hours per year to the City of San Jose.

The San Jose Police Department expects Reserve Officers will adhere to the following:

1. Understand that according to San Jose Municipal Code § 8.12, a Reserve Officer is a volunteer civil defense worker and not an employee of the City of San Jose. Further, understand that as a volunteer, who is not an employee of the City of San Jose, a Reserve Officer is not subject to the procedural protections of the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

2. A Reserve Officer agrees:

   • To comply with the San Jose Police Department’s Duty Manual and the Reserve Unit Guidelines,
   • To obey the proper chain of command, including the Reserve Unit ranks,
   • To make him/herself available for emergency callbacks, and



3. To make him/herself available for and participate in Department relief events.

   • As a member of the Reserve Officer Program, a Reserve Officer must:
   • Complete a minimum of 16 hours of service to the City on a monthly basis, with 10 of those hours being accomplished by performing a patrol beat function and the other 6 hours performing tasks authorized by the Unit Director,
   • Complete an online timesheet no later than the 7th day of each month, which must include all paid and unpaid hours worked,
   • Attend and complete all required training,
   • Obey all court notices issued by the Department, and
   • Volunteer at least the minimum required hours for Christmas in the Park or the Holiday Parade as determined by the Director.



4. A Reserve Officer understands that there is no guarantee that he or she will receive any secondary employment assignments.

5. A Reserve Officer understands that if employment at another law enforcement agency is accepted, he or she will be required to resign from the San Jose Police Department’s Reserve Unit.

6. A Reserve Officer understands that the terms and conditions for participation in the San Jose Police Department’s Reserve Program are subject to amendment and modification by the Chief of Police without prior notice.

The Reserve Police Officer Training Program it is exactly the same as the full-time Police Officers Training Program. Reserve Police Officers are required to study the same policies, procedures, and duty manual.

All three shifts-day, swing, and midnight-must be worked. The Reserve Recruit Officers will be evaluated by an F.T.O. (field training officer). The recruit officers are expected to perform as solo beat officers at the end of their training program. During the 500 hours of F.T.O. training, the Recruit Reserve Officers will be evaluated on job training performance, given written exams, quizzes, midterm, and the final exam. Each test must be passed.

Once the Officers successfully complete the 500 hours of POST certified training program, they are required to go to the probationary board and must be able to answer any questions from the duty manual, Departmental policies, and procedures. Recruits' performance during the F.T.O. program will also be evaluated.

In 1999, Senate Bill 359 (SB 359) was given an urgency classification by Senator Pete Knight to legislatures. This bill was successful in passing both the Assembly and Senate unanimously and Governor Gray Davis signed it into law.

Senator Knight stated, "Many reserve officers have years of experience and are a highly trained resource for California's law enforcement agencies. The law should not disregard these officers' contributions by treating them differently, and it should be changed." Senator Knight added that Reserves Peace Officers should be given an equal treatment.

Thanks to Senator Knight this bill allows Active Reserve Police Officers to lateral (transfer from one department to another) without having to upgrade their training to present standards. Full-time officers already had this provision, but now, the active Level I and Level II Officers have the same provision and they can laterally transfer from one department to another without losing their status.

In 1999, Mr. James Lombardi, President of the California Reserve Peace Officers Association said, "The current law potentially discourages over 1,000 reserve officers from seeking permanent status in another agency, which hinders other agencies from filling much needed job openings. I'm thankful that Senator Knight has introduced SB 359 to address this critical issue."

The selection process for laterals are the same as new officers application process. However, due to this new law the active Level I and Level II officers are not required to update their trainings to meet the new standards.

• Membership in the Municipal Employees' Credit Union of San Jose .

• Keith Kelly Membership (exclusive to the Department’s full-time and reserve police officers only).

• Can work in all aspects of the patrol division.

• Access to the Department’s fitness and weight training facilities (open 24 hours a day and fully equipped).

• Work compensated assignments (Must have completed the Field Training Program and must be off probation).

• Access and use of the Department’s range.

• All safety equipment is issued.

• All mandatory training is paid for.

• Uniform allowance (based on total service hours provided).

• Recognized as a member and an officer of the San Jose Police Department.

• Gain experience that may save loved ones or other acquaintances.

• Training and experience with, and the ability to examine, all phases of police work.

• The opportunity to serve the City of San Jose, its residents, and visitors.

• Membership in the San Jose Police Reserve Peace Officers Association.

• Membership in the California Reserve Peace Officers Association.

San Jose Police Department, Reserve Unit
1671 The Alameda, Suite #100
San Jose, CA 95126-2222

(408) 277-4963
(408) 277-3681 (fax)