Chapter 2.24
POLICE RESERVE UNIT

Sections:

2.24.010    Established – Composition.

2.24.020    Duties and authority.

2.24.030    Organization.

2.24.040    Membership – Qualifications.

2.24.050    Revocation of appointment.

2.24.060    Membership – Status and compensation.

2.24.070    Police Chief duties.

2.24.080    Insignia, uniforms and identification.

2.24.090    Firearms.

2.24.100    Promulgation of rules and regulations.

2.24.010 Established – Composition.

There is established and created a reserve police unit to consist of such members as may be appointed by the Chief of Police, with the approval of the City Manager. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1301.]

2.24.020 Duties and authority.

Members of the reserve police unit shall assist the Police Department of the City in its duties as may be determined by the Chief of Police. Members of the reserve police unit while in the performance of officially authorized duties, shall have all those powers vested in them by the Chief of Police; provided, that the police reserve unit officers who have received State accreditation through a recognized training course may, as determined by the Chief of Police, be commissioned for an indefinite period of time to serve without pay or benefits, which commission shall give the reserve or reserve officer the full powers of a commissioned police officer of the City of Sunnyside, including the power of arrest, during such time as said reserve officer is actually logged in as being on duty.

Absent the appointment by the Chief of Police to a commissioned status, no member of the police reserve unit shall have the authority to arrest for the commission of any crime, other than the authority given by a private citizen. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1303.]

2.24.030 Organization.

The reserve police unit shall be organized and administered by the Chief of Police, or by an officer of the Police Department assigned by the Chief of Police to that function. Ranks of reserve officers shall be designated, and appointments made thereto, as the Chief of Police deems necessary or advisable. [Ord. 1496 § 1 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1303.]

2.24.040 Membership – Qualifications.

A. To be eligible for membership in the police reserve unit, each applicant must file application therefor with the Chief of Police, indicate his willingness to serve an average minimum of 16 hours per month in the public service, meet the qualifications and requirements prescribed by the Chief of Police for membership in the reserve police unit, complete the training program, be appointed by the Chief of Police, and subscribe to an oath of office.

B. Members of the reserve police unit shall:

1. Be a citizen of the United States;

2. Be a resident of Yakima County;

3. Not have been convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude;

4. Be of good moral character and otherwise demonstrate attributes necessary to perform the duties of a reserve police officer, all as determined by the Chief of Police. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1304.]

2.24.050 Revocation of appointment.

Any member’s appointment to the reserve police unit may be revoked by the Chief of Police at any time it appears to him that such member is not satisfactorily performing his/her duties as a reserve police officer, or if such member otherwise conducts himself in a manner so that the Chief of Police determines that such appointment should be revoked. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1305.]

2.24.060 Membership – Status and compensation.

No reserve police officer shall be compensated for his or her duties as such, but the City Council may, in its discretion, pay all or part of the cost of furnishing uniforms and equipment, false arrest insurance, and training materials and supplies when the appropriation therefor has been approved as an item in the current City budget. Positions in the reserve police unit are excluded from the classified civil service system for police. Members are eligible for coverage under the provisions of Chapter 2.36 SMC pertaining to volunteer firefighters’ and reserve officers’ relief and pension. [Ord. 2011 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1911 § 5, 1995; Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1306.]

2.24.070 Police Chief duties.

In addition to those responsibilities and functions otherwise set out in this chapter, the Chief of Police shall be responsible for establishing and effecting a training program for members of the reserve police unit, for promulgating rules and regulations for the conduct of such unit, for prescribing uniforms for the unit, and for supervising the performance of duties by the members of the unit. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1307.]

2.24.080 Insignia, uniforms and identification.

A. Every reserve police officer shall be outfitted with a uniform of a distinctive design prescribed and approved by the Chief of Police, and every reserve police officer shall only wear his uniform while on duty as a reserve police officer. In the event that any items of uniform or equipment are issued by the Chief of Police to a reserve police officer, such items shall be and remain the property of the City and shall be surrendered by the member to the Chief of Police upon the termination of such member in the reserve police unit.

B. The Chief of Police shall issue an identification card to each reserve police officer identifying that officer as a member of the reserve police unit of the City. An officer whose membership in the reserve Police Department is terminated, shall immediately surrender his identification card to the Chief of Police.

C. The police badge is to be worn or carried only when the reserve officer is authorized to do so by the Chief of Police or his designee. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1308.]

2.24.090 Firearms.

A reserve police officer may carry a firearm but only while on duty, in uniform, or on assignment of duty in which the Chief of Police considers a firearm necessary; provided, that the reserve police officer has qualified in a firearms training course under the direction of the Chief of Police. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1309.]

2.24.100 Promulgation of rules and regulations.

The Chief of Police may adopt such rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter as he deems necessary or convenient to organize and administer a reserve police unit and its functions. [Ord. 1496 § 1, 1985; 1956 Code § 1-1301.]