POULSBO — Poulsbo Police hope to bolster reserves, a program that allows the department to train and commission officers willing to work on a volunteer basis.
But a recent call for volunteers turned up only one applicant.
“It’s a huge commitment to a volunteer job,” said Poulsbo Officer Troy Grossman, reserve coordinator. “You have to want to do it.”
He’s optimistic more applicants will surface so the department can take part in an upcoming training academy held by the Suquamish Police Department in March.
Twenty years ago, Poulsbo had nearly two dozen volunteer officers. That number dwindled in recent years. Now the department has five reserves.
Those reserves recently allowed Poulsbo a presence on a county-wide New Years Eve DUI task force, which there aren’t enough full-time officers in Poulsbo to staff.
Reserves also provide security for large festivals downtown. That includes Viking Fest, which typically requires long days and increased overtime from the department.
Those who do volunteer are of a high value to full-time staff, Grossman said.
“Having a fair share of reserves cannot be overstated,” said Poulsbo Councilman Jim Henry, a member of the city’s Public Safety Committee. “They are really part and parcel of our being able to do things.”
There are 14 officers in the department, which recently lost its deputy chief to a voluntary separation agreement offered by the mayor to help balance this year’s budget.
Reserves must work at least two eight-hour shifts per month. Their service saves the City of Poulsbo thousands of dollars a year, Grossman said.
Volunteers must fill out a 27-page application, complete a written test and oral board interview and pass a physical ability test, lie detector test and psychological evaluation.
“We do everything that a regular officer would have to do to be hired,” Grossman said. “That can be a little unnerving for a new applicant.”
Candidates accepted to the training academy undergo more than 200 hours, spread over 13 weeks, of state mandated curriculum similar to the Basic Academy for paid officers. Candidates are schooled in criminal law, crisis intervention, defense tactics, patrolling, investigations and firearms, among other things, according to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Reserves then continue field training, gradually earning certification to drive patrol cars and carry out duties unsupervised.
“They’re actually out there performing the same duties as regular officers on volunteer hours,” Grossman said.
Training academies are expensive to hold and like volunteers have dwindled recently. The academy planned by Suquamish Police is the first in the area in about seven years, Grossman said.
Both Suquamish and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office are seeking applicants for the academy to boost their reserve forces. The county has received 17 applicants so far, said Deputy Scott Wilson.
Some past reserves have used their status as a stepping stone to full-time employment.
