LCSD Offering Reserve Deputy Training

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is accepting applications from prospective reserve deputies for a reserve law enforcement officer training class that the department will begin Wednesday, Oct. 12. 

Classes will be held every Wednesday between 6 and 10 p.m. and every Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a period of four months.

In February 2012, Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts will swear in reserve deputies who successfully complete the class.

All prospective reserve deputies must attend a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex at 521 Gibson Road, Metts said.

Citizens who want to become a reserve deputy can apply by calling the sheriff’s department at 803-785-8230, Metts said. You should ask to speak with someone in personnel.

Applications for a reserve deputy position are available at the law enforcement complex, Metts said. Citizens also can download an application for a deputy position online at the Sheriff’s Department web site.

Under South Carolina law, reserve law enforcement officers must be 21 or older, with a clean criminal record, Metts said. They must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Prospective reserve deputies with the LCSD must pass a background investigation, polygraph examination, drug screening test and physical examination.

South Carolina law requires a reserve law enforcement officer to provide at least 60 hours of service every three months and complete at least four hours of training monthly, Metts said.

In order to be sworn in as law enforcement officers, reserve deputies must complete 202 hours of training that is required by South Carolina law and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department policy, Metts said. Reserve deputies must complete training that is comparable to the training that the sheriff’s department provides to full-time, sworn officers.

During their first year of service, reserve deputies must complete field training and patrol with a full-time, sworn officer, Metts said. Reserve officers must receive approval from the sheriff before they can patrol on their own. Reserve deputies who are allowed to work on their own must maintain radio contact with and report to a shift supervisor who is a sworn officer.

In 2010, reserve deputies worked a total of 17,359 hours with the sheriff’s department, saving Lexington County taxpayers nearly $400,000, Metts said. 

"Reserve deputies play a vital role in carrying out our agency’s mission of providing professional law enforcement services that enhance the quality of life for all people in Lexington County," Metts said.

In 2010, reserve deputies worked 1,171 patrol shifts and answered 5,925 calls for help from citizens in the county, Metts said. The reserve officers also worked 521 shifts at special events, such as festivals, holiday events, and parades.

In 2010, reserve deputies wrote 1,328 incident reports, served 223 warrants and arrested 277 persons, Metts said. The reserve officers also issued 1,169 citations and warnings for traffic law violations and other offenses.

Metts led the effort to persuade the S.C. General Assembly to enact legislation to permit citizens to serve as reserve law enforcement officers. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was the first law enforcement agency in South Carolina to start such a program.