Making a difference. . .
Boone County Sheriff's Reserve Division

Fully trained, certified and commissioned law enforcement officers volunteer their time and skills to provide a safer Boone County.

In addition to a professional staff of full-time officers, the Sheriff's Department utilizes a Reserve Division of volunteers who perform many important functions within the department.

Historically, the Reserves have been an extension of every division within the Department, performing duties in patrol, corrections, investigations, and services. Many times these duties have been served along side regular officers; other times they were performed in place of regular officers.

The Reserve staff includes both certified and non-certified officers who act within the authority of their certification status. All carry 24-hour commissions from the Sheriff. Reserves are trained in all aspects of the Department.

Many Reserves have become full-time officers with the Department or with other agencies. Others have served many years with no intention of a full-time career in law enforcement.

Those with current state certification carry full law enforcement authority; those without state certification must act at the direction of a certified officer and carry no arrest powers.

As funding has improved for the Department and staffing has become closer to meeting the needs of the county, the Reserves have focused attention on providing security and traffic control for special events. They do continue to provide support for the entire department as needed, providing second officers for patrol, filling office staff needs, and being a resource for investigations, corrections and support divisions if needed.

Among special events the Reserves work are the Salute to Veterans Air Show, Boone County Fair, Boone Electric Annual Meeting, Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Sturgeon Fair, numerous churches and school benefit events, Town and County Picnic and several private events requiring security details.

Reserve officers are subject to the same personal and professional requirements as regular officers, and must maintain the training required to meet state certification requirements if applicable. They also must satisfy departmental training requirements and firearms qualifications.

The Department provides all uniforms and equipment the Reserve officer needs to perform assigned duties, except the following. The officer must provide his or her own duty handgun and approved footwear. Some miscellaneous items also may be the officer's responsibility, but the Department provides all necessary items.

Candidates for membership in the Reserves must file an application with the Boone County Sheriff Department, and will be interviewed by the Reserve command staff. The staff's recommendation is forwarded to the Sheriff, who makes the final decision based on the Department's needs and the candidate's qualifications.