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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is proud of the level of training now being afforded Reserve Officer Programs within Orange County, and in the Southern California region. In partnership with Santa Ana College, the Sheriff’s Department is now offering Reserve Officer Training that exceeds POST’s new minimum guidelines. We are confident the training is among the finest available, and the extra time invested in each trainee is time well spent. We encourage outside agencies to consider the following training schedule when recruiting new members into their department, or when providing their members with required Continual Professional Training. The Sheriff’s Reserve Unit offers the following training courses. For more information or enrollment contact the Reserve Training Unit at (714) 997-3052.

The Basic Course - Modular Format is delivered in a three level instructional sequence. Successful completion of the Level III, Level II, and Level I modules, constitutes satisfaction of the Regular Basic Course training requirement. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department currently offers the Level III and Level II modules.

This course is designed to meet the new requirements for the Regular Basic Course - Modular Format, Level III. Upon completion of a Level III academy the following Peace Officer Powers are granted: PC 830.6(a) (1), PC 830.6(a) (2).

The Level III academy, including PC 832, consists of 164 hours of instruction throughout a 10 week period. This training exceeds the POST minimum requirement of 144 hours. This is a non-stress/discipline oriented academy which includes training in the following areas: Leadership, Professionalism and Ethics, Criminal Justice System, Laws of Arrest, Vehicle Operations, Use of Force, Traffic Enforcement, Chemical Agents and Inspections.

Trainees also receive additional training in weapon "takeaways", certification in the collapsible baton, and “will to survive” training that includes both boxing and self-defense in “red-man” drills where a trainee applies the learned techniques against trained staff that are equipped in safety suits. Having a subject resisting and fighting back provides real-life training that can be lifesaving to a trainee that has never been in a fight, instilling the “will to survive” and the desire to never quit.

Upon completion of the Level III Reserve Academy, the individual can then serve in any number of support assignments for their respective agency. Under POST guidelines, they may transport prisoners unsupervised, work traffic control, security at parades, fairs and sporting events, write police reports, evidence transportation, parking enforcement and other duties. (You should check with your Department’s policy regarding Level III Reserve Officer duties and assignments).

This course is designed to meet the new requirements for the Regular Basic Course - Modular Format, Level II. Upon completion of this academy the following appointment for Peace Officers are granted: PC 830.6(a)(1), PC 830.6(a)(2).

Prerequisite is successful completion of a POST certified Regular Basic Course – Modular Format, Level III Academy, possession of a valid PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course certification, and First Aid/CPR training for public safety personnel as prescribed by the Emergency Medical Service Authority (EMSA) and set forth in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 1.5 § 100005- § 100028.

This academy consists of 200 hours of instruction throughout a 12 week period, which exceeds the POST minimum requirements of 189 hours. This is a stress discipline oriented academy with greater emphasis on firearms training, arrest and control techniques and patrol procedures, among other academic areas.

Trainees are given additional hours of tactical training involving night problems conducted at the Tactical Training Center and also given additional hours of Arrest & Control techniques and Firearms beyond the POST minimum guidelines. These additional training hours allows for better student comprehension of the material, enhancing officer safety while reducing liability to the organization.

Upon completion of a Level II Reserve Academy, the reserve officer will have met all of the POST guidelines, and are qualified to work in an operational assignment per their department policy.

Trainees attend the academy in full uniform and are required to supply their own physical training gear, among other miscellaneous supplies. Trainees are either sponsored by a law enforcement agency or can apply as an independent through Santa Ana College. Graduation of the Level III and Level II Academy requires passing scores on the POST mandated Learning Domain exams, Arrest Control Techniques exam, Firearms exam, and the End-of-Course Proficiency Test.