Deputy Sheriff Reserve

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JOB DESCRIPTION:

STOP AND READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING:

Any Reserve Deputy hired after April 1, 2017 MUST have graduated from an approved law enforcement training academy and the most recent employment as a certified law enforcement officer cannot be greater than five years old.

THIS IS A VOLUNTEER POSITION THAT REQUIRES AT LEAST 16 HOURS PER MONTH OF UNPAID SERVICE. CERTAIN ASSIGNMENTS MADE TO A DEPUTY SHERIFF-RESERVE AFTER THE REQUIRED 16 HOURS PER MONTH MAY BE COMPENSATED AT THE HOURLY RATE OF $24.58, DEPENDING UPON THE ASSIGNMENT. 

TYPE OF WORK:

• An individual in the classification of Deputy Sheriff - Reserve is a sworn law enforcement officer who may perform the same duties as full time deputies if the equivalent training of a full time Deputy has been completed.  All laws, resolutions, general orders, rules, policies, and procedures (including bond and liability protection) that pertain to a full time sworn Deputy are applicable to a sworn Reserve Deputy.
• A Reserve Deputy’s duties may include, but are not limited to, patrol, crime scene security, directed patrols, service of process, court officer, surveillance, transport of prisoners, community relations, special events, crowd control, and investigations. A Reserve Deputy will work under the direction of the appropriate full-time supervisor or the full-time deputy to whom assigned.
• The goal of the Reserve Deputy Program is to provide additional trained, uniformed personnel employing law enforcement powers to further the efforts of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. 

Additional responsibilities are as follows:

1. Reserve Deputies will work a minimum of 16 hours per month (192 hours per year) unpaid.  Failure to meet this obligation for one calendar year is considered an abandonment of the position.  The Deputy Chief of Patrol and Public Safety or designee may issue a letter of termination from the program.
2. Advise the appropriate supervisor when a situation dictates absence from a scheduled tour of duty.
3. Maintain the uniform and all issued equipment as required by agency policies and procedures.
4. Perform all duties in such a manner as to enhance the Sheriff’s Office image in the community.
5. Follow court attendance procedures as necessary.
6. Follow appearance procedures in accordance with personnel policies and adhere to good grooming habits.
7. Successfully complete at least 480 hours of Field Training and 40 hours per year of In-Service Training

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  (ONCE APPROVED FOR SOLO PATROL STATUS):

(The examples may not include all of the duties/responsibilities which may be performed or required)                          

• Patrols a specified zone in a marked law enforcement vehicle.
• Checks doors and windows of businesses and residential property.
• Investigates suspicious activities and makes arrests for violations of federal, state, and/or local laws.
• Arrests offenders and escort them to the Justice Center for processing.
• Receives complaints and makes investigations of wanted or missing persons and of stolen cars and property, and maintains surveillance for recovery and apprehension.
• Maintains crowd and traffic control as needed due to accidents, emergencies, or at special events where there are a large number of people.
• Administers first-aid treatment and lifesaving techniques to the acquired level of training.
• Reports defects in roadways that require the attention of other agencies.
• Reports damaged traffic control devices and traffic lights that are out of order to the proper agency.
• Issues citations and warnings for traffic violations.
• Makes a daily report of activities and prepares detailed reports relating to specific incidents, accidents, investigations, arrests, or special assignments.
• Assumes responsibility for proper maintenance of assigned vehicle.
• Receives and investigates complaints of a general nature from the public.
• Prepares and presents informational programs on law enforcement-related subjects to interested groups.
• Properly prepares and presents court cases.
• Conducts interrogation of suspects involved in criminal offenses.
• Discovers, preserves, and corroborates physical evidence at a crime scene for presentation in criminal prosecution.
• Prepares details of criminal case files pertaining to major offenses.
• Investigates narcotics and drug offenses requiring a number of chemical tests for suspected narcotics and drug violations.
• May serve on a special unit such as K-9, Marine Patrol, Bicycle Patrol, SWAT, or other special units.
• Build relationships with the local community through interaction with members of the public and creating partnerships and strategies for the reduction in crime (Community Policing)
• Performs related work as required.

Job Requirements - ELIGIBILITY:

All candidates will comply with eligibility requirements for sworn law enforcement per­sonnel in accordance with Sheriff’s Office General Orders and TCA 38-8-106, which are as follows:

1. Be at least 21.
2. Be a citizen of the United States.
3. Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency.
4. Be in possession of a valid Tennessee driver’s license.
5. Not have been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere, to any felony charge, or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dis­honesty, gambling, liquor, or controlled substances.
6. Not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
7. Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, including a drug screen.
8. Have a good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office.
9. Be free of all apparent mental disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) of the American Psychiatric Association.  A qualified professional in the psychiatric or psychological fields must certify applicants as to meeting these criteria.
10. Upon selection, the participant will begin a probationary status that will continue at a minimum, the completion of the FTO Training.
11. Submit to and pass a polygraph test.
12. Cannot be a reserve officer in another jurisdiction.
13. Any Reserve Deputy hired after April 1, 2017 must have graduated from an approved law enforcement training academy and the most recent employment as a certified law enforcement officer cannot be greater than five years old.

Ineligibility - The following is a list of individuals who will be ineligible to participate in the Reserve Deputy Program:

1. Sheriff’s Office employees:  According to Fair Labor Standards Act regulations, certain full time or part time paid employees of the Sheriff’s Office are not eligible to participate.  Paid employees are not allowed to participate in volunteer programs in which they may perform duties commensurate to their paid duties.  An example would be sworn deputies or corrections officers volunteering their time off-duty as Reserve Deputy.  Civilian clerical staff would be able to participate in the Reserve Deputy Program because their jobs are not equivalent to performing law enforcement activities.
2. Members of other law enforcement agencies.
3. Members of the criminal justice system (e.g., correctional personnel, prosecutors, public defenders, and bondsmen).
4. Judges, clerks, attorneys in private practice, persons prohibited by law from being deputies, and other persons who, at the discretion of the Sheriff, would face an immediate or potential conflict of interest due to the nature of the person’s full time employment.

Separating Law Enforcement Officers - Individuals who are law enforcement officers pursuant to TCA 38-8-106 and who are separating under favorable conditions, may concurrently apply for appointment in the Program upon separation, provided that eligibility requirements are met.

Screening & Selection Process FOR DEPUTY SHERIFF RESERVE POSITIONS  – Essential Elements Include:

Application - Those who successfully submit a completed application for a Deputy Sheriff - Reserve position may progress in the screening process, which includes the following:

--Invitation to test:  Written exam (pass/fail) + physical exercise (NOT pass/fail).  Applicants who pass the written exam will continue in the screening process. Applicants who do not pass the written exam will be given one additional opportunity to take and pass the exam within 3 months.

--Completion + timely submission of all required forms and documents (including HS diploma/GED certificate, birth certificate, current valid driver license, current Social Security card, DD-214 with Honorable Discharge (for those with former military service), Personal History Statement and various authorization forms and other information requested by BCSO.

--Panel interview

--Background investigation + NCIC criminal check + credit check 

(a) Applicants who fail to successfully complete any of the items above will not progress further in the process but may reapply after one year.

(b) Applicants who successfully complete all of the items above (with results satisfactory to BCSO) will be evaluated for continuation in the process. Those not selected to continue at that time will be notified via email.

(c) Applicants who are disqualified  (e.g., those with a felony conviction, DUI conviction, illegal drug use within certain time-frames, those who admit to felony conduct but were not charged, etc.) are not eligible to reapply unless and until convictions are expunged.

Contingent Offer of Employment – Applicants selected to continue in the process will receive a contingent offer of acceptance into the Deputy Sheriff - Reserve program conditioned upon successful completion of the following:

--Pre-polygraph exam questionnaire

--Polygraph examination

--Medical/physical exam – Pass/fail

--Drug screen – Pass/fail

--Psychological evaluation – Pass/fail

Applicants who fail to successfully complete any ”post-contingent offer letter”  items above (to the satisfaction of BCSO) will not progress further in the process.  Applicants who successfully complete all of the items above (to the satisfaction of BCSO) will receive an offer of employment (assuming an open position exists at that time). Applicants who receive and accept an offer will be required to attend and successfully complete state-required and BCSO-required training, orientation, Field Training (“FTO”), and will be on probation during the first 12 months of employment.