Minimum Standards

Reserve Deputy Sheriff
Levels & Requirements

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are utilized to supplement law enforcement manpower. Like regular deputies, reserve deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, reserves are assigned tot he same duties as regular deputies. Routine tasks such as patrol, booking, surveillances, investigative, and undercover work are just some examples of reserve duties.

In general, reserve deputies are volunteers that may work as little as 16 hours per month and are not compensated for their duty time. Reserve forces are comprised of individuals that want to contribute to the safety and well being of their community as well as those who desire to work in law enforcement prior to seeking full-time law enforcement careers. The Orange County Sheriff's Department considers the merits and accomplishments of its reserve deputies for filling full-time positions before seeking outside applicants.

The following are minimum standards and qualifications for the position of Reserve Deputy Sheriff:

Level One Reserve Deputy Sheriff
This is the highest level of Reserve Deputy. These deputies have the same law enforcement powers and authority as regular deputies while on duty and may be utilized in such capacity.

To be appointed to this level, Reserve Deputies must have completed at least one of the following course regimens and completed the department prescribed field-training requirements:
  • P.O.S.T. Basic Modular Course Level III, Level II, and Level I, or
  • P.O.S.T. Basic Academy, or
  • P.O.S.T. Modules A, B, C or D, or
  • Appointed a s a Level One Reserve Deputy prior to January 1, 1997
Level Two Reserve Deputy Sheriff
Level Two Reserve Deputies have peace officer powers and work in a general law enforcement capacity under direct supervision of a qualified regular full-time peace officer. After successful completion of a prescribed training schedule and field experience, the Level II reserve deputy is eligible to be promoted to a Level I Reserve Deputy, as long as the deputy has successfully completed the P.O.S.T. prescribed training as outlined above.
Level Three Reserve Deputy Sheriff
Level Three Reserve deputies are deployed and authorized only to carry out limited duties not requiring general law enforcement powers in the routine performance of duties. This may include duties such as traffic and crowd control, security, and public relations duties.

For more information about the joining the Reserve Division, see our web page describing the selection process, or call the Reserve Office: (714) 566-2711.