The Los Alamos Police Department Reserves are the volunteer portion of the Los Alamos Police Department. The reserves are made up of men and women from the community who donate their time and expertise to Los Alamos County through the Police Department. The reserves are authorized to have a 15-person force, administered by a senior reserve officer who carries the title of Lieutenant. The Reserve Lieutenant is the contact for the Police Department through the Police Department Reserve Coordinator. The Reserve Lieutenant handles all the administrative duties and coordination for the reserve unit.

The reserve applicants go through the same testing and acceptance into the program as regular applicants go through for employment as a police officer. This includes a background investigation, physical and psychological testing, written logic testing and other tests determined by the Los Alamos Police Department.

After acceptance into the program, reserve applicants must undergo over 200 hours of training in the Police Department to become a reserve officer. This training covers all aspects of police work, law, department policy and firearms training.

After a reserve officer completes the training part of the program, he/she is required to work 16 hours a month minimum to fulfill his/her obligation to the Department. This requirement reinforces the reservists’ training, and keeps them prepared for emergencies when called out by the Department.

The reserves’ primary function is to assist the patrol officers with their daily work. But reserves may also help with crime scenes, investigations, firearms training, computers, traffic control or any other duties that the reserve may have interest or knowledge in.

Applications for joining the Los Alamos Police Reserves can be obtained here, or by visiting the Los Alamos County Human Resources Department. On the application, make sure the position applied for reads Police Reserve.