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Kern County Sheriff Reserve Association

The Kern County Sheriff's Reserve Association is a non-profit, volunteer organization made up of a very special group of men and women who are dedicated to public service and committed to improving the quality of life in our community. They are husbands and wives, business owners, white collar workers and laborers who have spent hundreds of hours in classroom and field training, hoping to save lives and make a difference.

Each reserve donates a minimum of 200 hours a year for training and service to the Sheriff's Department. Reserve members combined volunteer approximately 50,000-60,000 hours a year and work in almost all areas of law enforcement, including Patrol, Rural Crimes, Warrants, Air Support and Off-Road Enforcement. Reserves are called upon to work when disasters occur such as airplane crashes, flooding and riots. Many Reserves have attended additional training to be on special task forces such as the Gang Unit, Vice Unit or Bicycle patrol. Most work side by side on patrol with the regularly employed deputies, and some work the streets alone.

The Reserves also handle special enforcement duties, including the Kern County Fair, Stampede Days Rodeo, Whiskey Flats Days, the Ridgecrest Fairs, Wasco Rose Festival, Balloon Fest in Ridgecrest, Tehachapi Wind Festival, Frazier Park Mountains Festival, Glenville Rodeo, and many other events throughout the county.

The Sheriff's Reserve Association is supported by the Stampede Days Rodeo. Funds from the rodeo and other contracted events, such as the Kern County Fair, help to supply the Reserves with training and equipment.

History

The Kern County Sheriff’s Reserves were first organized in 1939 to augment paid Deputies during the wartime emergency. This was an experiment born of wartime necessity that proved entirely successful. In 1940, 35 volunteer Reserves graduated from the first Reserve Academy.

In 1954, the volunteer Reserves formed a nonprofit corporation and became The Kern County Sheriff’s Reserve Corporation. The Corporation has since operated on funds independent from the Sheriff’s Department. In addition to the $5 annual membership fee each Reserve was required to pay, the Corporation received payment from the Kern County Fair to provide law-enforcement coverage.

In the mid 1980’s, the Corporation received approval from the State to become a nonprofit / charitable organization. This status change opened many doors for receiving donations. The Reserve Corporation could now purchase some of the emergency equipment Reserves needed when working patrol. The volunteer Reserves were no longer required to pay an annual membership fee.

Community Projects

The Reserve Organization is very involved in community events. They are one of the largest donors of the annual Christmas Basket Program for the poor and many Reserves take time from their jobs to help deliver food baskets.

The PRCA Stampede Days Rodeo, held every May is a major production put on by volunteer Reserves. This fundraiser provides a very substantial donation to a specific local charity each year. The Sheriff’s Departments Search & Rescue Unit, Explorer Post and Citizen Service Unit also benefit from this event by providing services to assist the committee.

In conjunction with the rodeo, the Reserves also sponsor the REACH Program. Approximately 3,500 children are bussed in from schools all over Kern County for a special presentation about D.A.R.E., a mini rodeo and a free lunch. The Reserves have sponsored local students to participate in the National Jr. Rodeo competitions.

They donate funds every year to a camp sponsored by the Kern County Fire Department for children and adult burn survivors.

Scouts Day at the Sheriff’s Department, Law Enforcement Day and the Lung Association’s 24-Hour Relay are some of the events the Reserve Organization participates in by providing meals to the competitors/attendees. Each year the 911 Race for Youth project receives funds from the Reserves to help the program continue career training for “At Risk Youths.”

The Reserves also sponsor various local youth sports leagues and other community charities.

Become a Reserve

Minimum Requirements:

• 21 years of age
• U.S. Citizenship
• High School Diploma or a G.E.D. certificate
• Completion of a P.O.S.T. Certified
• Reserve Academy

Testing Process

• Written examination
• Oral interview
• Background investigation
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examination
• Drug screening