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Reserve Peace Officer Foundation · San Diego Start your path

Citizens making a difference

Answer a
higher calling.

Train to serve beside San Diego County law enforcement—bringing your experience, character and commitment to the communities you call home.

Explore the pathway Discover our mission
500 reserve peace officers
trained and deployed

Built for service.
Designed for working professionals.

Why the reserve matters

Public safety grows stronger when good citizens step forward.

We are building the training, partnerships and sustainable pathway that help qualified San Diegans become sworn reserve peace officers.

500

Reserves in our
10-year vision

01

Regional, sustainable
academy model

∞

Ways to make a
local difference

Working in step with the region’s public-safety community

Official seal placeholder San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Use supplied one-color navy agency mark
Association mark placeholder County Chiefs’ & Sheriff’s Association Use official horizontal lockup
Credential mark placeholder California P.O.S.T. Use approved state brand asset

Foundation purpose

A stronger reserve program, built to last.

01

Mission

Support the agencies that serve San Diego.

In partnership with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office, help area agencies develop and maintain thriving reserve programs.

02

Goal

Train and deploy 500 reserve officers.

Expand the county’s volunteer public-safety capacity while creating meaningful secondary training for current reserves.

03

Vision

Create a permanent regional academy.

Build a sustainable, multi-agency law-enforcement academy serving communities throughout San Diego County.

We’re creating more than an academy. We’re building a lasting route from civic commitment to meaningful service.

Pathway to service

Three deliberate steps.
One extraordinary role.

You don’t have to leave your profession to serve with purpose. We help qualified candidates understand the process and move forward with confidence.

  1. 01

    Start the conversation

    Connect with our team.

    Arrange a call with a foundation representative. We’ll answer your questions and help you understand what reserve service in California asks of you.

  2. 02

    Prepare to serve

    Complete academy training.

    Apply to the regional law-enforcement training institute and earn the P.O.S.T. credential needed to serve as a reserve peace officer.

  3. 03

    Find your agency

    Join a reserve program.

    Choose an agency accepting reserve candidates. When selected, you’ll be sworn in and begin serving your community.

Serve where you live Bring your whole life
to the badge.

A second calling

Your experience already matters. Put it to work.

Reserve officers are business owners, veterans, educators, parents and professionals. What connects them is character—and the decision to give more to their community.

01

Serve with real responsibility

Train to the professional standards expected of California reserve peace officers.

02

Keep the career you’ve built

Pursue a structured path designed around committed working adults.

03

Make an impact close to home

Support the agencies and neighborhoods that make San Diego County home.

Ask if reserve service fits you

Reserve spotlight

Field notes · 001

Reserve Sergeant

Marc
Bailey

See the people behind the uniform and the service that happens when citizens choose to step forward.

Watch the reserve story

Academy milestone

San Diego’s regional reserve-training vision is moving forward.

The Sheriff’s Office has received approval to present the Module III training curriculum—an important foundation for the academy model.

Read foundation updates

Prepare with purpose

Start before
the first day.

Understand the standards, gather what you’ll need and begin the process ready.

01

Training preparation

Student workbooks

 02

Know the role

Reserve officer levels

 03

Get organized

Background checklist

Are you ready?

Your community has a place for what you can bring.

Begin with a conversation. We’ll help you understand the commitment, the training and the path forward.

Start the conversation Or call directly(619) 880-1416
San Diego County Service starts here.