Policy Text
POLICE RESERVE OFFICERS PROGRAM
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 064 REVISED: 05/08/19
REPLACES: SOP Police Reserve Program 34-01.1-12 – Rev. 09/01/97; Rev. 01/17/12; Rev. 03/01/16
OBJECTIVE: To provide criteria for the establishment and management of a Police Reserve
Officers Program (PROP). This program is comprised of a volunteer force of
trained law enforcement officers and civilians who will assist and supplement the
Homestead Police Department (HPD).
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department to provide additional
volunteer sworn police personnel to assist the full-time police officers and to be
available for duty at City-sponsored functions. Additionally, police reserve
officers will be available for emergency situations such as hurricanes, civil
disorders, etc. Police reserve officers will augment the Department in a support
capacity, allowing more productive use of full-time sworn personnel.
SCOPE: All police reserve officers shall be governed by the procedures set forth below.
I. SELECTION:
A. General:
1. Police reserve officer candidates shall comply with eligibility requirements
established for full-time police officers. Qualifications for all police officers are
contained in SOP #036 – Qualifications for Police Officers.
B. Eligibility:
1. Departmental Employees: Civilian employees of the Homestead Police
Department may participate in PROP, provided the request receives concurrence
through the employee’s chain-of-command and approval by the Chief of Police.
2. Age: Candidates must be at least 19 years of age at the time the application is
submitted.
C. Ineligibility for the Program:
1. To preclude a conflict of interest, persons within the following categories are
ineligible to participate in PROP:
a. Members of, or applicants for, other police agencies.
b. Employees of City elements which prohibit acceptance of appointment as
a police reserve officer.
c. Persons prohibited by law from being police officers, and other persons
who, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, would face an immediate or
Police Reserve Officers Program – SOP# 064
potential conflict of interest due to the nature of the person’s full-time
employment.
II. SEPARATING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS:
A. Personnel who are law enforcement officers pursuant to Chapter 943, F. S., and who are
separating from the Department under favorable conditions, may submit a request for an
appointment as a police reserve officer prior to the effective date of retirement provided
that eligibility requirements are met. Sworn retirees requesting to enter PROP may be
appointed as a police reserve officer immediately upon separation (without a break in
service).
B. Separating law enforcement officers, who submit a request for an appointment as a
police reserve officer, shall contact the PROP Supervisor prior to the effective date of
retirement. Failure to submit the request prior to the effective date of retirement will
constitute a break in service and subject the retiree to the selection procedures
established by State law and the Department. A memorandum shall be submitted to the
Chief of Police, by sworn employees applying to PROP, via the employee’ chain-of-
command.
C. Lateral entry candidates: Candidates who are law enforcement officers, as defined
by Chapter 943, F.S., separating from a law enforcement agency, and electing to seek
application as a police reserve officer, must:
1. Possess a current Basic Recruit Certificate issued by the State of Florida
Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commissions (CJSTC) and have at
least one year of law enforcement experience.
2. Successfully pass the Department’s application/background process.
3. Ensure that eligibility requirements are met.