Los Angeles County Online

Applying to the LACP Reserve Program

1. What is a Reserve? 
2. What are the Reserve Levels? 
3. Where can I be a Reserve? 
4. Basic Requirements 
5. Physical Requirements 
6. Applying to the Reserves 

1. What is a Reserve Police Officer?

Reserve Police Officers are utilized to supplement routine law enforcement deployment. Like Full-time Officers, Reserve Officers are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, Reserves are assigned to the same duties as Full-time Officers. Since Reserve Officers have the same powers of arrest as Full-time Officers they are required by law to meet the same hiring, background, medical and psychological standards as Full-time Officers.  Reserve Police Officers enjoy the challenge and excitement offered by law enforcement, as well as the satisfaction of providing a worthwhile community service.

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2. What are the Reserve Levels?

The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) has established three levels of reserve peace officers:

Level III Reserve

Authorized activities: Level III Reserves may perform specified limited duties, and other duties which are not likely to result in physical arrests. They must be under the immediate supervision of a Designated Level I Reserve Officer or a Full-time Officer. They are granted peace officer powers only while on duty.

Academy Training: Level III module is 217 hours.
Field Training: None Required
Continuing Professional Training: None Required

Level II Reserve

Authorized activities: Level II Reserves participate in general law enforcement assignments such as patrol and mounted posse. They work under the immediate supervision of a peace officer who has completed the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Regular Basic Course. They hold peace officer status while on duty only for the duration of their assignment.

Academy Training: Completion of Level III module. Level II module is 260 hours.
Field Training: LACP requires completion of a 400 hour Field Training Program.
Continuing Professional Training: 24 hours every two years.

Level I Reserve

Authorized activities: A Level I Reserve is available to work in virtually all aspects of the Department. After becoming field qualified, a Level I can work patrol alone or with a Regular or Reserve partner and has peace officer status while on duty only for the duration of their assignment.

Training: Completion of Level III and Level II modules. The Level I module is 344 hours.
Field Training: LACP requires completion of a 400 hour Field Training Program
Continuing Professional Training: 24 hours every two years.

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3. Where can I be a Reserve?

The Uniform Reserves are assigned to one of the many LACP department patrol stations and perform general law enforcement duties, including crime prevention and investigation, responding to calls, traffic control, and enforcement of laws.

• Tactical Response Force
• Investigator
• Mounted Unit/Patrol
• Bike Patrol
• ATV
• Training Instructor
• Honor Guard
• K9 Handler
• Boat Patrol
• K9 Agitator
• Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit
• Mounted Patrol
• Recruitment Unit
• Vehicle Patrol

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4. Basic Requirements

1. Be a United States Citizen.
2. At the time of appointment, be at least 20 years of age.
3. Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
4. Possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License or higher.
5. Be gainfully employed or a full time student.
6. Be available to attend the LACP Reserve Academy
7. Be willing to subscribe to the oath of affirmation of allegiance for public employees.
8. Be in good physical condition, free from disease or defects that would interfere with the satisfactory performance of the duties of this position.
9. Pass our Background Investigation:
   Undergo a thorough background investigation which includes:
   • fingerprint search.
   • polygraph examination.
   • psychological examination..

Disqualifying factors include (but are not limited to)

Finally, each applicant must be in good physical condition, free from disease or defects that would interfere with the satisfactory performance of the duties of this position.

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5. Physical Requirements

Each applicant must be in good physical condition, free from disease or defects that would interfere with the satisfactory performance of the duties of this position.

Applicants for Uniform Reserve and other arduous positions must meet the following physical standards:

• Vision: Correctable to 20/30 in each eye.
• Color Vision: Anything other than minor hue impairment is disqualifying.
• Hearing: There must be no greater than a 25 dB loss in the better ear as averaged over the test frequencies of 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz. There may not be a peak loss at any of the test frequencies greater than 30 dB at 500 Hz
• Height/Weight must be proportionate.
  IF YOU ARE OVERWEIGHT AS SHOWN ON THIS CHART, YOU MAY STILL QUALIFY:
  If your body fat is 22 percent or lower for males, or 30 percent or lower for females, you will be eligible for a height/weight exemption. Your body fat will be checked during your County medical exam if you do not meet the height/weight requirement. You may elect to have it checked by your doctor before your County exam to see how it looks, but the results of your doctor's test will not be considered during your County medical.

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6. Applying to the Reserves

For more information on how an interested party can apply for the Reserve program please email the LACP Recruitment unit at Recruitment@police.lacounty.gov 

Or contact them by phone at 1-800- 869-4555 

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