San Diego County Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are unpaid volunteers who work with regular patrol deputies in the performance of their duties. These duties vary according to the assignment of the reserve.

The various duties performed by reserves include: Off Road Enforcement, Patrol, Special Events, Traffic Enforcement, SED/SWAT, Prisoner Transport and Underwater Search and Recovery (Dive Team).

The type of duty assignments to which a Reserve may be assigned are defined by Penal Code section 832.6, the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and the Sheriff’s Department Policy and Procedure Manual, and depend upon his/her level of training.

Three classifications for Reserve Deputies:

• Level I: Level I Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are peace officers under sections 830.6(a)(1)PC and 832.6(a)(1) PC. They only retain their peace officer authority for the duration of their duty assignments. They are usually assigned to patrol stations and practice general law enforcement, but can be assigned to other areas such as search and rescue. They must go through field training with both regular and reserve training officers prior to participating in ongoing patrol activities. Level I reserves can perform all the legal functions of paid deputies and are held to the same continuing professional training standards as any other peace officer (24 hours every two years).


• Level II: Level II Reserve Deputies are recognized as peace officers through 830.6(a)(1) PC and 832.6(a)(2) PC. Again they retain their peace officer authority only for the duration of their duty assignment. They are usually assigned to patrol stations and practice general law enforcement. They must go through field training with both regular and reserve training officers prior to participating in ongoing patrol activities. While working general law enforcement assignments, Level II reserve personnel require immediate supervision by a peace officer that has completed the POST regular basic course. Level II reserve deputies may, however, work limited assignments authorized for Level III reserve deputies without supervision.


• Level III: Level III reserve deputies are recognized as peace officers through 830.6(a)(1) PC and 832.6(a)(3) PC for the duration of their specific assignment. Level III deputies are restricted to limited support duties, such as 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 arrest. A Level I reserve deputy or a full-time regular deputy “employed by a law enforcement agency authorized to have reserve deputies” shall supervise Level III reserve deputies in the accessible vicinity. Level III reserve deputies are not authorized to participate in any patrol operations. They may, however, transport prisoners without immediate supervision.

Requirements to Join

Reserve deputies are required to work a minimum of 2 8-hour patrol shifts per month and attend monthly unit meetings and training. Applicants must pass a written, oral, and physical exam and background check. Certain academy courses are required from the 66-hour PC 832 class to a full POST Basic Law Enforcement Academy, depending on what the reserve deputy will be assigned to. You should meet the following criteria:

• 21 years or older at time of academy graduation
• U.S. citizenship or legal resident who has applied for citizenship
• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Valid California driver's license at time of appointment
• Pass written examination and qualifications appraisal interview
• Good physical condition; weight/height in proper proportion
• Complete medical examination required.
• Vision 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/30 or better each eye.
• Hearing must be unimpaired.
• Good moral character. No felony conviction.
• Physically and emotionally able to perform LE duties
• Pass physical capability and psychological tests.
• Complete full basic academy before final acceptance.
• Military personnel must be assigned to area for at least 2 years.

For More Information or to Join contact Sheriff’s Personnel at (858) 229-1197 or email reserves@sdsheriff.org