WPD seeking reserve officer candidates

WASILLA — The Wasilla Police Department is looking for a few community-minded men and women to join the department’s 2016 reserve officer academy, and potential candidates have until April 1 to sign up.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, be physically fit, have no felony convictions and are expected to work a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per month. According to the department, previous experience is not required.

Wasilla Police Chief Gene Belden said Monday the program serves a dual role — training future police officers as well as creating a chance to serve the community.

“I would say a majority of our officers have been hired through the reserves program,” Belden said.

He said once the application period closes and roughly four to five candidates are chosen, the department runs a “mini academy” that involves classroom and firearms instruction as well as other related law enforcement training. Belden said the academy typically takes about four or five months.

As civilian volunteers, the reserve officers’ powers of enforcement are through the department — not on personal time — and only when performing in the line of duty and at the direction of a full-time officer.

Once the training is complete, reserve officers receive a uniform, a firearm and a full complement of gear like handcuffs, pepper spray, batons and radios. They can drive patrol cars, are required to attend court proceedings where applicable and are responsible for filing paperwork.

Belden said candidates should be ready for paperwork.

“While they are with an officer in the field they are also considered a witness,” Belden said. “And they have to do quite a bit (of paperwork) sometimes.”

According to the department, special tasks and projects for reserve officers include crowd control at parades, races, fireworks displays and other community events; security for sporting events and responding to disaster calls.

Belden said while the program can lead to a career in law enforcement, for many it is a way to give back to the community.

“For the guys who are pursuing a law enforcement career, it’s a good look at the life and can get them a toe in the door,” he said. “But for some, they don’t want to give up their day job and are just looking for a way to serve the community.”

Since its inception in 1993, the department has grown from eight commissioned officers to 25 as of 2016.

Interested candidates are asked to complete a City of Wasilla application, an Alaska Police Standards Council F-3 application and submit a letter of interest. Application packets will be accepted at the Wasilla Police Department administrative office until 5 p.m. April 1. For more information, contact the police department administrative offices at 352-5401.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated reserve officers must work 20 hours per week.