| August 2010 |
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Law Enforcement
Reserves: To Serve and Protect
by Sheriff
Ted Mink
For much of its 150-year history, the
Sheriff's Office has relied on volunteer deputies -- the reserves --
to assist with public safety assignments throughout Jefferson
County. These state-certified law enforcement officers are
essential to our agency's mission, and soon we'll be looking to add
a few new faces to their ranks. Do you have what it
takes?
Who are the
Reserves?
The Reserve Unit is made up of men and women
who want to help make Jefferson County a safer place for its
residents. Some have full-time jobs and only participate in
Reserve activities on evenings and weekends. Others are
retired and have the flexibility to participate in events during the
week. Some are former police officers and deputies, but most
are not. All undergo thorough training before being sworn in
and outfitted with the uniform of the Jefferson County Sheriff's
Office.
What is the Commitment
Like?
Reserves must attend and pass a law enforcement
academy that's held two evenings a week, and some weekends, over
about four months. The academy is similar to the curriculum a
full-time recruit would experience. After graduation, reserves
are asked to dedicate about 16 hours per month to ongoing training
and enforcement activities for the Sheriff's
Office.
What Does Training
Entail?
Training for the reserve corps is ongoing.
The safety and effectiveness of our volunteer deputies is paramount,
and they receive monthly training in officer safety, driving, CPR
and first aid, criminal law, arrest control, community policing, and
firearms.
Enforcement, Events and
Education
Reserves are critical to the Sheriff's
Office. They help deputies with security at large public
events like fairs, festivals and concerts. They assist with
dignitary protection and traffic control when VIPs come to
Jeffco. They work at DUI checkpoints throughout the county,
and aid with evacuations during wildfires. They may be called
upon on occasions that are especially busy on patrol, like the
Fourth of July, or to aid with crime scene security following a
major crime.
Do You Have What It
Takes?The Sheriff's Office is accepting applications
for the next reserve academy, tentatively scheduled for early
2011. Do you have what it takes to be a reserve deputy?
To apply, fill out the online volunteer
application.
If you have questions, contact our
recruiting office at 303-271-5332.
To apply for a reserve deputy position,
you must meet these minimum qualifications:
-
-
Have no felony convictions
-
-
Be a high school graduate
-
Submit to medical and psychological
tests
-
Possess a valid Colorado driver's
license
-
Possess qualities of honesty,
maturity, self-discipline and sound judgment
-
Able to perform essential job
functions
Explorer
Program
Teens and young adults with an avid interest in
law enforcement, who are too young for the Reserve Unit, may be
interested in the Explorer Post. The Explorer Post is an
educational program for high school students age 14 and up.
Explorers meet twice a month to learn skills in law enforcement
activities like traffic control, arrest control and crime scene
investigation. They use their skills to compete against other
metro area Explorer groups in law-enforcement competitions.
The Explorer group is occasionally
asked to assist patrol deputies at community events, under the close
supervision of adult Explorer Post advisors. The program is
affiliated with Boy Scouts of America and is a great outlet for
young people with an interest in law enforcement. For more
information, visit our website or
call 303-271-5332.
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| Sheriff's
Safety Fair: Come One, Come All! |
|
http://jeffco.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R169.htm
 |
The Sheriff's Safety Fair is a fun-filled event for all ages,
featuring interactive booths, demonstrations and activities for
everyone! The Sheriff's Office hosts this annual fair at the
Summerset Festival to engage our community in taking steps to stay
safe and healthy. Learn about everything from disaster
preparedness and kids' safety to identity theft and Internet
predator information. Check out special units and
community programs from the Sheriff's Office and other participating
agencies. Whether you're eight or 80, you'll find something at
the Sheriff's Safety Fair that can help you stay safe!
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| Take Our
Wildfire Survey! |
 Emergency preparedness officials at the
Sheriff's Office want to know what you think about the danger posed
by wildfire, and the various fire mitigation tactics. If
you're a Jeffco resident, please take five minutes and answer the
questions in this short survey.
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The monthly "Behind the Badge"
column is written on or before the 20th of each month by Sheriff Ted
Mink of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, in Golden,
Colorado. It features information and tips for local residents
regarding crime prevention, crime trends, public safety and
quality-of-life issues.
The column is distributed to
Jefferson County homeowner associations, Neighborhood Watch
captains, Business Watch participants and local news
media. Please contact us with questions or comments at
aburns@jeffco.us.
View previous posts by visiting the Behind the Badge
archive here. | |
