Taft Municipal Code Ch. 17 Police Reserve

A police reserve, hereinafter called "reserves", is established as a voluntary organization composed of persons appointed by the Chief of Police, hereinafter called the "Chief", the persons to serve gratuitously as a unit of the Police Department of the City to assist regular police officers in law enforcement and the maintenance of peace and order during times designated by the Chief. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Chief shall have complete authority and control over the reserves. He may appoint as members thereof any persons whom he deems to be qualified and he may reject any applications for membership. He shall provide for the training of candidates for membership and for the further training of members in all fields of police activity and for that purpose may assign such members to various police duties. Membership in this organization is open to both men and women. Whenever the male gender is used in this Chapter, it includes both male and female. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

No person shall become a member of the reserves until he has taken the training and he is able to meet all other requirements prescribed by the Chief. When so qualified and selected, he shall then be sworn in by the Chief, or by the Chief's representative, as a member of the reserves. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

In order to effectuate the purpose of the reserves, the Chief may, by order, establish rules and regulations to govern the reserves, including the fixing of specific duties of its members and the providing for the maintenance of discipline. He may change the orders from time to time. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

An identification card, badge, and cap piece, and such other insignia or evidence of identification as the Chief may prescribe, shall be issued to each member who must carry the card at all times. Each member must surrender all City property issued to him upon the termination of his membership. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

The membership of any person in the reserve may be terminated by the Chief at his sole discretion, at any time, and any such member may resign from the reserves at any time upon notifying the Chief in writing of his resignation. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

No member of the reserves shall carry any firearm until he has qualified for, and received, a gun permit signed by the Chief. All members of the reserves shall carry the regulation police baton. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

A member of the reserves when on duty as assigned by the Chief shall have the authority given officers of the Police Department to direct traffic, and shall have the same power of arrest granted a regular member of the Police Department, subject to any limitations which the Chief may impose. Such members are authorized to make arrests and issue written notices to appear for such violations pursuant to section 836.5 of the California Penal Code while performing the duties designated by the chief. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

The chief may, by order, diminish or expand the membership of the reserves as may be required. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)

It shall be an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), for any person, not a member of the reserves:

(A) To wear, carry or display a reserve identification card, badge, cap piece or insignia;

(B) In any manner to represent himself to be connected with the reserves. (Ord. 694-02, 8-20-2002)

The uniform for members of the reserves shall be similar to the uniform worn by members of the regular police department with an identifying insignia to be prescribed by the chief of police. (Ord. 484, 2-21-1984)