Chapter 3 — RESERVE OFFICERS RULES AND REGULATIONS

Article 1 Authorization

These Police Reserves Rules and Regulations (hereinafter referred to as regulations) are adopted as a supplement to the Police Rules and Regulations contained in Chapter 1 of this Title. In the event of a conflict, the Police Rules and Regulations take precedence.

Article 2

Purpose and Authority

The Police Reserve unit is an organizational unit of the Patrol Division of the San Leandro Police Department. The Police Reserve unit is under the command of the Patrol Division Lieutenants, one of which shall serve as Program Manager. The Program Manager shall appoint a Sergeant assigned to the Patrol Division to serve as the Reserve Unit Coordinator.

The purpose of the Reserve organization is to assist the police department in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

Members of the Police Reserve shall attain all the responsibilities of a regular police officer during an emergency, or while in the performance of, or training for, those functions or duties authorized by the proper authority.

(a) The above applies only after a Reserve Officer has reported for duty at the police station, and is considered to be on-duty by the Watch Commander, Patrol Sergeant, or other person in charge. On-duty status terminates at the conclusion of the Reserve Officer's tour of duty.

Article 3

General Requirements

The minimum selection standards for a Police Reserve Officer in the State of California are designated by the POST (Police Officers Standards and Training) Administrative Manual.

(a) A Reserve Officer must never have been convicted of a felony.

(b) A Reserve Officer must be fingerprinted, and classifiable prints must be submitted to the
Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(c) A Reserve Officer must be:

(1) A citizen of the United States.

(2) At least 18 years old.

(3) Fingerprinted (as described above).

(4) Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.

(5) A high school graduate, or pass the G.E.D.

(6) Found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from physical,
emotional or mental conditions which might adversely affect their exercise of service
as a police officer.

(d) Prior to appointment each Reserve must be interviewed by the Department Head or their
representative.

(a) In addition to the requirements designated in the POST Administrative Manual, a Reserve must successfully complete each of the following:

(1) An oral board examination.

(2) A physical agility examination.

(3) Module A, B1 and B2 necessary for appointment to Level 2 Reserve Officer as defined in Section 832 P.C.

(4) A polygraph examination.

(5) A psychiatric examination.

(b) The guidelines to be used in the selection process based upon these requirements will be determined by the Reserve Program Manager.

A Reserve Officer must have and maintain a telephone.

A Reserve Officer must possess a valid California Drivers License.

A Reserve Officer must possess a valid Basic First Aid Certificate and a valid CPR card.

Article 4

Organization, Duties and Responsibilities of the Police Reserves

The total authorized strength of the Reserve Unit varies as authorized by the City Council, and generally, includes a Reserve Lieutenant, seven Reserve Sergeants, and a complement of Reserve Police Officers.

(a) A Police Reserve Lieutenant shall coordinate the activities of the Unit under the direction of the Patrol Commander and Reserve Coordinator. The Reserve Lieutenant is appointed by the Chief of Police upon recommendation of the Program Manager and the Reserve Coordinator.

(b) The Reserve Lieutenant shall carry out the orders that are delegated to the Reserve Unit by the Patrol Division Commander or Coordinator.

(c) The Reserve Lieutenant shall see that the Reserve Sergeants and Officers maintain a high degree of efficiency, integrity and responsibility.

(d) The Reserve Lieutenant shall conduct all meeting and generally supervise all Reserve activities.

(e) The Reserve Lieutenant may, with the approval of the Patrol Division Commander and the Coordinator, make changes in the staff, when it is deemed necessary for benefit of the organization.

(f) The Reserve Lieutenant shall delegate authority to Reserve Sergeants to carry out the objectives of the department and the Reserve Unit.

(g) The Reserve Lieutenant shall see that all members of the organization have knowledge of, and adhere to, the rules and regulations governing the Police Reserve Unit.

(a) There will be seven Reserve Sergeants, one Sergeant in charge of a squad of Reserves each night of the week. These Sergeants are appointed by the Reserve Lieutenant with the approval of the Program Manager and Reserve Coordinator.

(b) The Reserve Sergeants shall be selected and appointed according to ability, interest,
availability and willingness to accept responsibility, as determined by the Reserve
Lieutenant, Patrol Commander and Coordinator. A Reserve Sergeant must be a Level I
Reserve Officer (Refer to §11.3.425).

(c) In addition to their line responsibilities as squad leaders, the Reserve Sergeants shall also
have staff responsibilities in the area of supplies and equipment, attendance and records,
processing of new applications, planning and training or other such areas designated by the
Coordinator.

(d) When acting as squad leader, the Reserve Sergeant shall be responsible for Reserve
Officers reporting on time and properly assigning the officers.

(e) The Reserve Sergeant shall see that the officers are in proper uniform and are properly
groomed in accordance with the Uniform Rules and Regulations of the department.

(f) The Reserve Sergeant shall assign officers to work details and special assignments.

(g) The Reserve Sergeant shall see that pertinent information is disseminated to the Reserve
Officers.

(h) The Reserve Sergeant shall forward to the Reserve Lieutenant and/or Coordinator, notice
of any violation of Departmental or Reserve rules and regulations committed by any
Reserve Officer.

(i) The Reserve Sergeant shall forward through the chain of command any requests, needs,
problems of Reserve Officers of their squad.

(a) All members will familiarize themselves with, conform to, abide by the San Leandro Police Policies, Special Orders, Rules and Regulations.

(b) In addition, all Reserve Officers will be familiar with, conform to, and abide by the rules
and regulations of the Police Reserve Organization.

(c) It will be the responsibility of the Reserve Officer to carry out the lawful orders of the
superior officers of the Police Reserve Unit, the Reserve Coordinator, and all regular
officers of the department.

(d) The primary duty of the Reserve Officer is to assist the regular officers of the department
in the performance of their duties. The Reserve Officer is, at all times, subordinate to the
regular officer.

(e) All Reserve Officers will be assigned a "ride night." The Reserve Officer will report for
line-up training at either swing shift or "B" shift on that ride night. The Patrol Sergeant and
Reserve Sergeant will make assignments (which may include assignments other than patrol
duty) consistent with POST requirements for Level I and Level II Reserve Officers.

(1) The transport van will be of primary concern when assignments are made.

(2) Each Reserve Officer reporting for duty at any time other than "B" shift, will notify
the Reserve Sergeant scheduled for duty via the green log sheet.

(3) A Reserve Officer may ride additional nights as long as permission is received from
the Reserve Coordinator or Patrol Sergeant.

(4) Reserve Officers may ride on day shift or midnight shift only with the approval of the
Reserve Coordinator.

(f) When reporting for duty, the Reserve Officer will be properly attired and neatly groomed
in accordance with Department Policy and departmental Uniform Specifications.

(g) It will be the responsibility of each Reserve Officer to:

(1) Maintain a uniform.

(2) Maintain all issued equipment.

(3) Maintain a locker in a secure manner with a lock.

(h) If a uniform item is rendered unserviceable, the Reserve Officer will notify the supply
sergeant for replacement.

(i) If any departmental equipment becomes lost or stolen, it shall be immediately reported to
the Reserve Sergeant in writing. The Reserve Sergeant shall notify the Reserve Coordinator
as soon as possible.

(j) While on patrol with a regular officer, Reserve Officers will observe and assist when
necessary. They will follow the regular officer's directions at all time. The Reserve Officer
will:

(1) Not use the car radio unless specifically requested to do so by the regular officer. Be familiar with the numerical radio code and keep communications brief and concise. Use the radio in accordance with the departmental Radio Procedure Manual.

(2) If the regular officer requests it, keep an accurate log of activity, time, address, nature
of call, arrival time and departure time.

(3) Not interrupt interrogations or volunteer information to subjects. If there is something
the Reserve Officer feels is important to the situation, it should be communicated to
the regular officer in a confidential manner away from the general public.

(4) Be aware that all records, communications and incidents pertaining to the police
department are confidential and not to be discussed outside the department.

(k) Each Reserve Officer shall, as soon as possible, and in no case later than three days, notify
their squad leader and the Coordinator of any change in address or telephone number.

(l) Reserve Officers shall not use the police station to loiter or congregate, except in
conjunction with a pending assignment or upon the occasion of a bona fide meeting.

(m) A Reserve Officer shall not use their position, their badge, or their identification card to
gain special consideration to obtain credit for themselves or others, or to gain free
admission, discount or any gratuities.

Upon appointment, a new Reserve Officer shall be assigned to a Reserve Field Training Officer for a minimum of 200 hours, to meet POST requirements. While in training the Reserve Officer shall ride only with the assigned Field Training Officer, except as otherwise directed by the Patrol Sergeant, Reserve Coordinator, or Program Manager.

New Reserve Officers must qualify with the regulation sidearm and shotgun prior to riding.

The minimum requirements for Level I and Level II designations are listed below. Any Level II Officer who has completed the minimum requirements and wishes to attain Level I status, should advise the Reserve Coordinator in writing. The Reserve Coordinator will then determine whether or not the officer has met the minimum requirements for Level I status, and if the Reserve Officer's record is consistent with the responsibilities given Level I officers.

(a) POST Requirements for Non-Designated Level I. Reserve Officers must have achieved the minimum training requirements as defined in POST Administration Manual Section H-1-2(a). Prior to being assigned to duties, which include the exercise of police officer powers, Level I Reserve Officers shall satisfactorily complete training requirements of the Regular Basic Course or its equivalents (POST Administrative Manual Section D-1-3).

(b) POST Requirements for Level II. Reserve Officers must have achieved the minimum training requirements as defined in POST Administration Manual Section H-1-2(b). Prior to being assigned to duties, which include the exercise of police officer powers, Level II Reserve Officers shall satisfactorily complete the POST-certified two-part Reserve Level III Module and the Level II Module (POST Administrative Manual Section D-1-3).

(c) New Level I Officers. New Level I Officers will be assigned to ride with a senior Level I Officer for 40 hours of training.

Article 5

Minimum Duty Requirements and Assignments

Of the 52 weeks in a year, a Reserve Officer may miss no more than eight scheduled ride nights. Of these, no more than three may be unexcused. The hourly requirement is a minimum of 20 hours per month or 240 hours per year. The hourly minimum does not exclude the maximum allowable number of ride nights missed.

(a) An unexcused absence occurs when a Reserve Officer does not notify their Reserve
Sergeant, the Patrol Sergeant or the communications center (in that order) that they will be
unable to ride as scheduled.

(b) If a Reserve Officer knows in advance that they will be unable to ride on their scheduled
night, they may arrange for another Reserve Officer to act as a replacement with no penalty.
The Reserve Officer actually reporting for duty must notify the Reserve Sergeant who they
are replacing.

A Reserve Officer may miss no more than three of the 12 monthly training meetings which are scheduled for the last Thursday of each month.

Part of the Reserve function is to assist the department with other tasks such as parades, ball games and other special details as they arise.

(a) The Reserve Coordinator will appoint a Special Details Sergeant from the Reserve staff. The Special Details Sergeant will assign Reserve Officers to special details on a rotating basis from the Reserve roster. As much advance notice as is possible, will be given. Once the assignment is made, it is the responsibility of the assigned Reserve Officer to see that the detail is handled. If for some reason the assigned Reserve Officer is unable to fulfill the responsibility of the detail, a replacement officer must be found and the Special Details Sergeant notified. A Reserve Officer may turn down no more than two special detail assignments per year.

§ 11.3.515. (RESERVED) (Repealed by Order 5/83)

(a) The department will furnish each Reserve Officer with regularly issued uniforms and equipment.

(b) The department shall pay for cleaning and alterations of uniforms and shall replace those
items issued which become unserviceable. Each Reserve Officer will be allowed one
uniform per month to be cleaned at expense of the San Leandro Police Department. Reserve
Sergeant approval is necessary if additional cleaning is required.

(c) A Reserve Officer shall not wear any part of the uniform off-duty, except that the badge and/or identification card may be carried.

(d) A Reserve Officer shall report in writing any damage to their uniform or lost or stolen
equipment, immediately to the Reserve Sergeant who, in turn, shall notify the Coordinator
as soon as practical.

(e) All police property issued to the Reserve Officer shall be returned promptly to the
department upon the resignation or termination of a Reserve Officer.

Reserve Officers shall follow San Leandro Police Department Policy regarding uniform regulations. Any Reserve Officer disregarding this regulation is subject to immediate dismissal and criminal charges.

(a) Only personnel who have successfully completed the approved chemical training course will be allowed to carry chemical agents.

(b) Chemical agents shall not be used as follows:

(1) On a subject already under restraint;

(2) As punishment.

Since Reserve Officers are frequently called upon to transport prisoners, a thorough understanding of the proper procedures to be utilized when carrying out this important function is necessary.

(a) The transporting vehicle will be carefully searched before and again immediately after a
prisoner transport, for possible contraband, which, if found, will be turned over to the
arresting officer who may request a written report explaining the circumstances.

(b) Subjects will be searched before they are placed in the police unit for transport, and shall
be handcuffed behind the back.

(c) If the transporting vehicle is not equipped with a diving protective screen or glass, the
second officer should sit behind the driver with the prisoner on their right.

(d) It is the responsibility of the transporting Reserve Officer to complete the arrest report for
any prisoner transported to the San Leandro jail.

(e) When going to another jurisdiction for a prisoner pickup, in addition to the above, four
additional procedures should be followed.

(1) Even though the prisoner being picked up may have been in custody for some time,
search the prisoner carefully before handcuffing.

(2) If the prisoner has property, sign for it after an inventory and give the prisoner a new
receipt upon booking at San Leandro.

(3) Prior to departure, telephone the arresting agency to confirm that the arrestee is still
in custody and ready for pickup.

(4) Coordinate the transportation detail with the Patrol Sergeant.

(a) Although Reserve Officers drive police vehicles equipped with emergency response equipment, they shall refrain from driving Code 3 or in any manner which violates traffic laws unless specified below:

(1) Code 3 responses shall be limited to those situations where the Reserve Officer is assigned to drive Code 3 by the watch commander, patrol sergeant, regular officer, or Communications Center.

(b) Reserve Officers shall not become involved in pursuit operations unless so assigned by a Watch Commander, Patrol Sergeant, or Communications Center.

(c) At all time obey all traffic laws. Remember, the public views your actions as those of the department. Drive only in a manner which will bring credit upon the department.

(d) Vehicles will be searched thoroughly at the beginning and end of each shift worked, and again after each prisoner transport.

Reserve Officers shall avoid making traffic stops unless one of the following circumstances exists:

(a) A serious traffic violation occurs in their presence.

(b) They on-view a criminal offense.

(c) They are so directed by any regular officer.

Reserve Officers assigned to "R" units shall patrol the schools and parks when not engaged in prisoner transports or other assigned details.

(a) Schools and park buildings shall be checked on foot, Code 10.

(b) As many schools and parks as possible should be checked and logged.

It is the responsibility of the on-duty reserve sergeant to distribute civilian subpoenas for service. Service or attempted service shall be documented on the blue subpoena service form.

Level I Reserves, while working patrol division assignments, shall be primarily responsible for manning the transport van. Their duty assignment, in descending order of importance, shall consist of prisoner transports, school and park patrol, civilian subpoena service, and assisting regular officers as assigned. Level II Reserves will only be assigned to ride with regular officers, unless otherwise assigned by the watch commander or patrol sergeant.

Article 6

Leaves of Absence, Suspension, and Termination

If an extended leave of absence (more than a month) is needed, a request shall be made in writing. If approved, the reserve shall turn in their badge and identification card to their sergeant. These items will be returned upon their return to service.

(a) If the absence will extend past a three month period, a resignation will be requested. The
reserve shall turn in all issued uniforms and equipment. The Reserve Officer may then
reapply for admission to the Reserve Unit at such time they feel they may again meet the
requirements and may be accepted if there are openings in the organization at that time.

(b) Not more than one leave of absence may be requested a year.

Reserve officers serve at the absolute pleasure of the Chief of Police and have no right whatsoever to continued service in such position. The Chief of Police may, at any time, with or without cause, and in their sole discretion, determine, with respect to any person otherwise qualified to act in the capacity of reserve officer, that such person shall no longer be called upon to render services to the City in such capacity.

Editor's Note: This Chapter was first codified administratively in 1982. (Resolution No. 2005-156, 11/21/2005 [§§11.3.300, 11.3.425, 11.3.525]; Res. No. 2024-061, 6/ 17/2024 11.3.100-11.3.605])