The Harris County Sheriff’s Reserve possesses a heritage
of providing a ready citizen resource of trained and qualified
personnel that assist the Sheriff in meeting Harris County
law enforcement and emergency response needs. Over the years
the reserves have worked in excess of 5 million hours. Reserve deputies
assume their own expenses. The monetary savings of this activity
to the county has amounted to more than $100 million. The Harris County Sheriff’s Reserve
is the largest Sheriff’s Reserve Organization in
Texas and nationally ranked second only to California’s
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Approximately 200 citizens from all walks of life currently
form the Harris County Sheriff’s Reserve. Other departments
throughout the nation have copied the Harris County program
as an effective way to increase available personnel without
capital expenditures. Our Reserve Deputies possess full legal
police powers when on duty. They become part-time, unpaid,
fully qualified professional police officers with the same
responsibilities as a regular Deputy.
Each reserve deputy shares a common dedication to law enforcement.
They also share the belief that through their efforts they
can make Harris County a better place to live. No matter what
their duty assignment may be, each strives to achieve the
high level of professionalism required by today’s peace
officer. Reserve deputies include engineers, mechanics, doctors,
clerks, secretaries, self-employed business people, managers
of corporations and lawyers. Many reserve deputy families
have long traditions of law enforcement. Some reservists previously
worked as regular law officers and many regular deputies began
their career as a reserve deputy.
Reserve
deputies work in all areas of the Sheriff’s Department,
including narcotics, vice and Internal Affairs. Reserve deputies
work as "one-man" patrol units and on single deputy
duty assignments...a responsibility and privilege allowed
Harris County reserve deputies due to the quality of training
and professionalism of the organization. Like most citizens,
reserve deputies want safe streets, criminals behind bars
and an improved community.
By departmental regulation, a reserve deputy must perform
a minimum of 20 hours of duty assignment each month and attend
a reserve meeting. Reserves also must pass regular firearms
qualifications and can be called for special assignments and
emergencies. Most reservists volunteer much more than the
required minimum time.
