Reserve Deputies

Reserve applicants must meet the same requirements as regular full-time deputies. All Reserve candidates must attend and successfully complete the LCSO POST Reserve Academy.

Reserve Deputies must meet POST and agency requirements for mandatory training and certifications annually.

Applications are accepted throughout the year and hiring occurs annually in the fall/winter period. The hiring process takes approximately four months. Applicants are required to pass a written test as the first step in the hiring process. If successful, Reserve Deputy candidates are required to complete a Physical Fitness test, Oral Board Interview, Background Investigation, Polygraph Examination, and written Psychological Test.

Successful candidates attend the POST Reserve Academy sponsored by the Sheriff's Office. The Academy is a 257-hour program that provides classroom instruction and basic skills training in firearms, driving, and arrest control techniques. Classes are held in the evenings and on weekends for approximately three months.

The POST Reserve Academy is not a substitute for a full-time Peace Officer POST Academy. If individuals are interested in pursuing a full-time career in law enforcement, they must graduate from a full-time POST Academy. The Larimer County Reserve Academy generally begins in January of each year.

The time commitment of an LCSO Reserve Deputy can have an impact on your life and family. The program requires volunteers to participate in a minimum of 20 hours per month of patrol ride-along (two 10-hour shifts); a minimum of three hours of monthly meetings and training, and completion of various administrative tasks such as reading email messages and completing monthly timesheets. Reserves are also expected to be available by pager for emergency call-outs and special assignments.

In addition, the Reserves participate in 40 hours of annual re-certification training. This typically occurs in April/May and involves two weekends and the evenings between them.

As required by expiration, all Reserves must keep their CPR and First Aid certifications current.

Like full-time deputies, all Reserves must pass a periodic firearms qualification. Various times and dates each quarter are available for qualifications. Usually a day is scheduled just for Reserves.

In addition to regular patrol functions, the Reserve Unit provides traffic and security support to the following types of events: wildland fire call-outs, crime scene investigations, CSU football games, Larimer County Fair, Fourth of July events in Red Feather, Estes Park, and Wellington, Santa Cops, and many other community events.

In addition to a personal sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, serving as a Reserve Deputy allows you to be a vital part of an organization recognized as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in Colorado. You will have a chance to serve and train alongside full-time, professional peace officers of the highest caliber. The feelings of belonging to a special group and the friendships you make are great.

The Reserve Unit is eager to welcome new members and has programs designed to quickly help you feel at home. To assist you in getting started, there is a mentoring program that begins while you are in the Reserve Academy. Upon graduation, all Reserves are assigned to squads which partner you with senior Reserves and allow members to get to know one another.

There are four levels of Reserve Deputies within the unit with training available to help you advance as far as you would like. The program is run by Reserves and everyone is encouraged to participate in one of the leadership positions (two Lieutenants and three Sergeants) and on various committees.

Having fun is also a part of being a Reserve. The unit hosts an annual family picnic, a holiday party, and an awards banquet. Squads and informal groups get together for such things as a firearms practice/shooting day and BBQ, or a squad ride-along with a patrol shift. Families are encouraged to come along for certain assignments like parade duty or Fourth of July fireworks events.