Overview
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Welcome!
The Orange County Sheriff's Department Reserve Division is one of the most exciting and innovative law enforcement reserve forces in the nation. Reserve officers provide a wide variety of services to the community, volunteering their time to work alongside career law enforcement personnel.
The Reserve Division includes both sworn and non-sworn members. Sworn Reserve Deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, Reserves are assigned to the same duties as regular deputies. Routine tasks such as patrol, booking, surveillance, investigative, and undercover work are just some examples of reserve duties.
The Professional Services Responder (PSR) Program supplements traditional Reserve programs with non-sworn volunteers. PSRs provide administrative and leadership support in the areas of emerging technologies, communications, industrial relations, graphic arts, healthcare, dignitary protection, firearm safety instruction, legal and accounting services, international protocol, governmental relations, and emergency response resources.
OCSD Reservists are individuals who 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.
FAQ's
- What type of test do I have to take to be reserve deputy?
- You must take a police written exam and a physical agility test. Upon successful completion of these two test, you then must pass an interview board.
- Does the Reserve Division conduct a background investigation?
- Yes, a thorough criminal background investigation is conducted.
- What type of training do I have to take to be a reserve?
- You must complete the 832 Penal Code course requirement of 64 hours training in firearms and laws of arrest. You then must complete a Level 3 Reserve Academy. Please go to the Academy Training page on this web site for additional information.
- Will I be able to work different assignments as a reserve?
- Yes, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Reserve Division is one of the most exciting and innovative law enforcement reserve forces in the nation. With new groups such as Dignitary Protection, Dive Team, and High Tech Crime Units you will have the opportunity for diverse training a a variety of assignments.
- Do I receive college credit for completion of the academy?
- The 832 P.C. course give you 1-1/2 college units. Upon completion of the Level 3 Academy, you will receive 3 units and Level 2 Academy will provide 4 college units.
- What are the requirements to be a reserve deputy?
- The California Government and Penal Code set the requirements. Please refer to the Minimum Standards page on this web site.
- What is on the written test?
- The written test is a standard police entry-level exam, which covers reading, comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word recognition. These are specific questions related to law enforcement, map reading, and radio codes usage. This is a basic aptitude test, similar to a scholastic aptitude test.
- What does the physical agility consist of?
- For the entry level we conduct a physical agility test, which consist of an obstacle course, car push, dummy drag, and a short quarter mile run. This affords you the opportunity to realize your weaknesses and where to focus on preparing your self for the Level 3 Academy.
- What is the cost, if any, to go through the Academy?
- If you are approved to be hired as an Orange County reserve Deputy Sheriff, the cost for the Academy will be paid for by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
For more information on joining the Reserves, see our How to Join page, or call the Reserve Office: 714-566-2711.
