reserve deputy helping manage traffic during a bike benefit

Sequoyah Sheriff's Office Reserves

The Sheriff's Department utilizes a Reserve Deputy Program to help carry out the mission of the Department. Without their valuable assistance, our ability to serve the citizens would be greatly limited.

Reserve Deputies volunteer their time, with no compensation and at no cost to the citizens.

The Reserve Deputy Program does their own fundraising to help pay for the equipment needed to perform their duties. Any equipment that isn't covered by donations is paid for by the Reserve Deputies themselves.

While on duty, they have the same authority as full-time deputies. They provide valuable services, like performing law enforcement duties at special events, such as school ball games, rodeos, parades, etc; they patrol the county; they answer calls for service; they serve civil papers; and they perform any other law enforcement duty that is needed.

Examination required for certification: Reserve peace officers, within six (6) months of their commission or appointment as a reserve officer, must satisfactorily complete a minimum 240-hour CLEET approved certification course and satisfactorily complete all practicum work and pass all written examinations required for certification.

Requirements for attending training:

In order to attend CLEET approved certification training, reserve officers must meet, as a minimum, the following conditions:

Be at least 21 years of age, prior to certification as a peace officer.

Be a United States citizen or in resident alien status, as defined by U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service.

Must be a high school graduate or have GED certificate. (Minimum requirements)

Must not have been convicted in state or federal court for any felony, crime of moral turpitude, or a crime of domestic violence.

Must have fingerprint clearance from Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Must have been administered an approved psychological examination and had same evaluated by a state licensed psychologist, and have an original affidavit from the psychologist attesting to the officer's suitability for "employment as a peace officer."

Must be commissioned or appointed by employing agency prior to attending CLEET approved certification training.

Must be First Aid and CPR certified prior to attending CLEET approved training. (CPR Training includes, adult, child/infant.)

Must not have been involuntarily committed to an Oklahoma state mental institution.

Must submit all required documentation and enrollment materials.

Reserve Officers Hours of Service:

For cities or counties having a total population of less than two hundred thousand (200,000) persons, a reserve officer shall serve not more than one hundred ten (110) hours per calendar month.

For more information on state standards and requirements, go to Reserve Peace Officer Fact Sheet

If you are interested in becoming a Reserve Deputy, you may contact Jeff Neighbors or Steve Grizzle. If you qualify, and there are openings in the unit, you must have approval and clearance from the Sheriff and be accepted for membership by the Reserve Deputy Unit. The Unit meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7PM, in the district courtroom, on the second floor of the Sequoyah County Courthouse (120 E. Chickasaw).