The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers for the expanded Reserve Deputy Program, and college students are invited to apply.
Any Louisiana resident over the age of 18 with no criminal record can volunteer for the program, said Fred Raiford, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
Reserves perform all the duties of real deputies without receiving salary, Raiford said.
“These people are essential when we are overbooked and understaffed,” Raiford said.
Reserves report to training two nights a week and both weekend days for approximately six months, Raiford said. When they are not in training, they report to shifts during the week.
Past participants in the program have ranged from University students to adults with other jobs, Raiford said. “These people want to make a difference in where they live.”
“We’ve had doctors and lawyers who do this in their spare time to help out in the community,” Raiford said. “We reach all ages, genders and careers.”
Raiford said he hopes this year’s program will begin in July, which would allow the trainees to graduate in December.
Raiford said volunteers for the program often lead to careers in law enforcement.