Reserve Law Enforcement Academy

This class is a minimum of 356 hours in length. The Reserve Academy curriculum adopted by the Commission is designed similar to that of the Basic Academy, including student performance objectives for each instructional block. It is designed to provide reserves with the basic knowledge and skills required for safe, proper and effective law enforcement service.

Instructional blocks include:

  • Criminal law and procedure
  • Communications skills
  • Crisis intervention
  • Defensive tactics
  • Patrol procedures
  • Criminal investigations
  • Evidence law
  • Firearms (including range qualifications)
  • EVOC
  • Use of force
  • Ethics
  • Civil liability
  • First aid

Graduates of a Commission approved Reserve Academy, who upon academy completion, have passed a comprehensive written exam developed and administered by the Commission, will receive the state’s basic Reserve Peace Officer Certificate. Such certificate satisfies the basic training requirements for Specially Commissioned Reserve Peace Officers under the Washington Mutual Aid Peace Officer Powers Act, RCW 10.93, chapter RCW 10.93.090.

Cost: The fee is set and invoiced to by the hosting agency.
Contact:

Tom Hill, Reserve Program Manager

call Phone: (206) 835-7344
smartphone Cell Phone (206) 825-3848
mail Email: tom.hill@cjtc.wa.gov

Glenda Coms, Administrative Assistant

smartphone Cell Phone (206) 372-7871
mail Email: glenda.coms@cjtc.wa.gov
Register

ACADEMY COORDINATORS:

Deciding to hold a Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy should not be taken lightly. The agency's job of teaching and shaping everyday citizens into voluntary Law Enforcement professionals is a serious endeavor.

Because of this, Agencies must identify a Reserve Academy Coordinator to be the point of contact between the WSCJTC program manager and administrative assistant. Here are some of the responsibilities of the Reserve Academy Coordinator:

  • Completing the initial Application for Recognition of a Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy
  • Complete Reserve Academy Schedule and any change in schedules
  • Disciplinary actions
  • Prompt Communication with the WSCJTC
  • Maintaining session records according to retention schedules for Public Records Requests.

Hosting agencies should give themselves ample preparation time before and after submitting the required documentation.

We recommend taking the time to establish a teaching team and review the teaching material provided to familiarize themselves with the content.

WHO CAN ATTEND OUR CLASSES?

These training sessions are available to those that have been recently appointed by a law enforcement agency as a Reserve Officer.

Are you interested in becoming a Reserve Officer?

Contact your local Sheriff's Office or Police Department and ask for their Reserve Coordinator. All recruits must be associated with a sponsoring agency. WSCJTC does not schedule Reserve Officer Academies.

REGULATION

"Reserve Officers" are included under the definition "specially commissioned Washington peace officer" under RCW 10.93.020(5). This includes any law enforcement officer who does not serve as a law enforcement officer of this state on a full-time basis, but who when called into active service, is fully commissioned on the same basis as full-time officers to enforce the criminal laws of this state.

RCW 10.93.090 explains: A specially commissioned Washington peace officer who has successfully completed a course of basic training prescribed or approved for such officers by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission may exercise any authority which the special commission vests in the officer, throughout the territorial bounds of the state, outside of the officer's primary territorial jurisdiction under the following circumstances:

  1. The officer is in fresh pursuit, as defined in RCW 10.93.120; or
  2. The officer is acting pursuant to mutual law enforcement assistance agreement between the primary commissioning agency and the agency with primary territorial jurisdiction. Reserve officers are not eligible to apply for peace officer or tribal police officer certification, furthermore, appointment as a reserve peace officer is not considered continuous employment for the purposes set forth in RCW 43.101.095 and 43.101.157.

ACADEMY RECOGNITION

The WSCJTC does not schedule Reserve Officer Academies. Host agencies must apply to hold a reserve academy.

  • The Applications for Recognition of your Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy are due 90 days before the reserve academy's predicted start date.
  • Changes in the individual Reserve Application Process due to recent legislative updates – RCW 43.101.095(2).
  • WAC 39-05-810 and WAC 139-05-825 have not yet been updated to reflect these changes. As a result, the application process will now be the same as the process used for hiring full-time Peace Officers.

Changes:

  • The Notice of Hire web form must be completed prior to the start of the Reserve Academy. This now requires:
      • Complete background investigation as explained in RCW 43.101.095(2) (a through d) and includes;
        • COMPLETED Polygraph and Psychological examinations
        • COMPLETED Criminal History and Fingerprint check
      • OTHER background check components must be completed prior to the beginning of the academy. Please review RCW 43.101.095(2) for details.
      • Complete Pre-registration through ACADIS, followed by the Notice of Hire webform. Prospective students will not be enrolled in the Reserve Academy until all forms are received.

DOCUMENTS

 

SCHEDULE

Every academy must have a fully completed schedule to gain CJTC approval. Remember that Firearms, DT, and EVOC must be taught by the approved instructor listed in your application. Graduation ceremonies should be scheduled at least 7 business days after the final exam. No new material can be taught once the final exam has been administered. The reserve program is progressing toward standardization among academies.

We recommend using this form to help create your schedule.

SEPERATION

Agencies should now submit the Notice of Hire (NOH) and the Notice of Separation (NOS) without misconduct through the Acadis WebForms.