About

Police Reserve Officers

The Walnut Creek Police Department Reserve Division has one of the largest and best trained municipal police reserve organizations in California. 30 active sworn personnel contribute approximately 10,000 volunteer hours to the community each year.

Being a reserve requires:

  • Training
  • Application and screening process
  • A commitment of 16 hours a month minimum of patrol or other assignments, as well as mandatory training meetings

Some reserve officers are seeking experience and taking a career "test drive" before pursuing full-time law enforcement careers. Others have chosen to maintain their existing careers while contributing their time to provide a valuable and meaningful service to the community.

Most reserve officers begin their volunteer career with no prior experience in law enforcement, but rather a general interest in the profession combined with a willingness to learn.

Before you become a reserve police officer, you need to complete a state-mandated reserve peace officer academy (see the “POST Requirements” section for details). This may consist of several months of evening classes meeting several times a week.

The demands placed on reserve police officers can be fairly extensive at times, particularly in the early days of a reserve officer's career as they build their law enforcement skills. The rewards in terms of personal satisfaction, excitement, and unrivaled camaraderie are worth the effort.

Reserve officers contribute a variety of duties throughout our Department. They patrol in vehicles, on foot patrols, or on bicycle patrol. Most Reserve Officers work with officers, but others can qualify to patrol on their own.

California Penal Code Section 830.6 gives local agencies the authority to appoint reserve officers.

Requirements

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • High school diploma or GED certificate
  • Valid Class 3 California driver’s license with a good driving record
  • If you are a green card holder, you need to apply for citizenship at least one year before applying to be a reserve officer
  • You do not need police training before applying

Physical Requirements

  • No serious color vision deficiency. Vision requirements:
    • 20/20 vision or greater without correction
    • 20/80 in both eyes, correctable to 20/20 with eyeglasses or hard contact lense
    • 20/20 vision with proven use of soft contact lenses
  • Normal hearing in both ears without correction
  • Be free of disabling conditions or disease that could interfere with the duties of a peace officer
  • Be emotionally stable and mature
  • Strength and physical agility to perform the duties of a peace officer

POST Requirements

All law enforcement operations in the State of California are governed by the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST). Before you apply, you must complete at least Module III of the reserve academy program or have a POST Basic Certificate.

These standards are taught through community colleges and academies such as:

Most of the reserve academies offer courses in evening and weekend formats.

Based upon satisfactory completion of the specific reserve academy modules, reserve officers may be appointed as one of four different levels of reserve peace officer.

The City of Walnut Creek has not enacted an ordinance which allows for a Designated Level I reserve officer. Currently, the highest level achievable by a reserve officer in Walnut Creek is Non-Designated Level I.

Level I
Level II
Level III

Apply to become a Police Reserve Officer

1. Application

Complete and sign a City of Walnut Creek employment application. Mail it to:

Walnut Creek Police Department
1666 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Attention: Reserve Officer Recruiting

2. Physical Agility Test

Applicants must perform a standard physical agility test. The physical test includes:

a. Running
b. Jumping over walls
c. Dragging a weighted dummy
d. Crossing a balance beam

You will get more details about the physical agility test before the testing dates.

3. Interviews

Applicants must pass two rounds of oral interviews.

a. The first-round interview checks your ability to perform special tasks required for this position.
b. If you pass the first-round interview, you will take part in an oral interview with the Department's command staff.

4. Background Checks

Background checks include:

a. Criminal history
b. Driving record
c. Education
d. Past (and current) employment
e. Credit history

Please provide us with:

a. Standard credit report
b. Copies of school diplomas and transcripts
c. References

5. Medical and Mental Health Evaluation

Applicants must get medical and mental health examinations to make sure they meet the requirements of a Reserve Police Officer.

6. Polygraph Exams

The City of Walnut Creek may ask a candidate to take a polygraph exam as part of the selection process.

Training

Reserve officers must maintain a minimum of 24 hours of Continuous Professional Training (CPT) over a two-year period to satisfy POST Requirements. The department also requires active reserve officers to attend and demonstrate proficiency in monthly training exercises. Many of the topics covered in department training exceed the POST requirements.

Some of the topics covered in monthly training sessions include:

  • Firearms/Firearms Training Simulator
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Baton/Impact Weapons
  • Chemical Agents/TASER
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Pursuit Driving
  • Driver Awareness
  • Tactical Building Entry/Search
  • Active Shooter
  • Low-Risk/High-Risk Traffic Stops
  • Scenarios
  • Crowd Control
  • Domestic Violence
  • Hazardous Materials

The training curriculum mirrors that given to the regular officers. It is taught by POST certified instructors from the various training teams within the department. In addition to all required training blocks, reserve officers are welcome to attend any elective training offered to regular officers.

Contact

If you have questions about the Reserve program, contact: