The San Diego County Sheriff's Department depends on Reserve Deputies to serve the citizens of San Diego County by assisting, supporting and augmenting regular deputies.  

Reserve Deputies are sometimes preparing for a career in law enforcement or were previous law enforcement personnel, but any eligible citizen may apply to be a reserve officer. 

The screening and selection process mirrors that of a regular deputy.  Reserve Deputies may be assigned to the department's patrol stations, but they can also assist in administrative and support roles. 

Depending on the level of training, Reserve Deputies may work in patrol, providing all levels of law enforcement from the day-to-day duties of a patrol deputy to assisting in major emergencies.

The Reserves maintain an Off-Road Enforcement Team (ORET), a Dive Team and an Aero Unit. 

They also provide crowd and traffic control at community events and at crime scenes, as well as firearms instruction. 

Reserve Deputies serve thousands of hours and save the County of San Diego more than $2 million annually.

Requirements to Become A Reserve Deputy 

Reserve deputies are required to work a minimum of two 8-hour patrol shifts per month and attend monthly unit meetings and training.

Applicants must pass a written, oral, and physical exam and background check. Certain academy courses are required from the 66-hour PC 832 class to a full POST Basic Law Enforcement Academy, depending on what the reserve deputy will be assigned to.

The prospective candidate should meet the following criteria:

• 21 years or older at time of academy graduation
• U.S. citizenship or legal resident who has applied for citizenship
• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Valid California driver's license at time of appointment
• Pass written examination and qualifications appraisal interview
• Good physical condition; weight/height in proper proportion
• Complete medical examination required.
• Vision 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/30 or better each eye.
• Hearing must be unimpaired.
• Good moral character. No felony conviction.
• Physically and emotionally able to perform LE duties
• Pass physical capability and psychological tests.
• Complete full basic academy before final acceptance.
• Military personnel must be assigned to area for at least 2 years.

For more information, contact the Sheriff's Reserve Line at 858-229-1197 or e-mail the Reserves.