The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy Program is organized by the Sheriff and serves at the discretion of the Sheriff. The Reserves function to provide supplemental personnel for the routine law enforcement activities, to enhance public service functions of the Sheriff's Office, and to assist in search and rescue missions. The LEO-certified Reserve Deputies often handle the same duties as full-time, active deputies. The Reserve Deputy is commissioned and sworn full law enforcement powers equal to those of a full-time deputy. Reserve Deputies are required to review, be knowledgeable in, and adhere to all department policies and procedures. The Reserve Deputies alleviate pressure from the road patrol units and strive to assist whenever they are needed.

There are two types of Reserve Deputies

Reserve Deputy I is a member who has received full certification from the State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer, has completed the Sheriff's Office's Field Training Program and who volunteers his/her time to the office. This deputy is committed to protect the public and preserve the peace while volunteering in a variety of assignments within the Sheriff's Office. The volunteers work alone, with full time certified deputy sheriffs or auxiliary certified deputy sheriffs. Responsibilities include volunteering in the areas of road patrol, criminal and special investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing, and problem solving in assigned areas in concert with full time certified deputies, is primary. The Reserve Deputy I has full arrest powers and may carry, and if necessary, use firearms equivalent to that of a regular member, make arrests, collect evidence, perform searches and seizures, testify in court, perform crime scene protection, write and sign reports, conduct interviews, patrol by him/herself, use the law enforcement radio, handle domestic complaints, handle prowler and disturbance calls, participate in law enforcement-community relations, perform traffic direction, prepare and sign traffic citations, perform traffic law enforcement, participate with CID, Marine, K-9, Narcotics and SWAT, handle civil disorders, assist in emergency medical procedures, assist in corrections, and write and sign warnings and parking citations.

Reserve Deputy II is a member who has received either certification from the State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer, but who has not completed the Sheriff's Office's Field Training Program, or certification as an auxiliary law enforcement member and who volunteers his/her time to the office. This member derives law enforcement authority and powers only when functioning under the supervision of a fully certified law enforcement member. This class involves auxiliary volunteer law enforcement work protecting the public and preserving the peace while volunteering in a variety of assignments within the Sheriff's Office. The volunteers work with full or part-time certified deputy sheriffs. Responsibilities include volunteering in the areas of road patrol, criminal and special investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing, and problem solving in assigned areas in concert with full or part-time certified deputies, is primary. Reserve Deputy II will assist any full or part-time certified deputies or assist a Reserve Deputy I.

Generally, the members are assigned to a district in which they reside and are directly supervised by the district lieutenant through the district reserve coordinator.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Reserve Program encourages and welcomes interest in the Reserve Program. Please contact our Reserve Program if you are interested in assisting law enforcement.