LCSD Reserve Deputies Lauded for Efforts

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department's reserve deputies were a boon not only to the department in 2011, but to county taxpayers as well, says Sheriff James Metts. 

The volunteer deputies worked a combined total of 16,337 hours in 2011. That saved Lexington County taxpayers $377,711, based on an hourly rate of $23.12 for a full-time deputy’s annual salary and fringe benefits, Metts said.

Recently, Metts presented the Distinguished Reserve Deputy Award to the following reserve deputies in recognition of the numbers of hours that they voluntarily worked for the Sheriff’s Department:

Maj. Bernard Bourne: 796 hours worked in 2011 and 3,749 hours worked in the past five years. Bourne, 52, of Lexington, has served as a reserve deputy since October 5, 1980.

Capt. Lee Thomas: 992 hours worked in 2011 and 5,363 hours worked in the past five years. Thomas, 48, of Columbia, has served as a reserve deputy since April 3, 1996.

Lt. Russell Bauknight: 3,154 hours worked in the past five years. Bauknight, 54, of Irmo, has served as a reserve deputy since May 2, 2002.

Sgt. Worth Rogers: 717 hours worked in 2011 and 3,437 hours worked in the past five years. Rogers, 58, of West Columbia, has served as a reserve deputy since March 30, 2004.

Sgt. Steven Little: 3,278 hours worked in the past five years. Little, 55, of Little Mountain, has served as a reserve deputy since April 5, 2005.

Sgt. Thomas Robinson, III: 938 hours worked in 2011 and 4,421 hours worked in the past five years. Robinson, 67, of Leesville, has served as a reserve deputy since April 6, 2006.

Deputy John Lookabill, Jr.: 1,509 hours worked in 2011 and 8,876 hours worked in the past five years. Lookabill, 62, of Lexington, has served as a reserve deputy since April 6, 2006.

Deputy Eligio Maoli: 6,247 hours worked in the past five years. Maoli, 60, of Columbia, has served as a reserve deputy since August 16, 2007.

Deputy Scott Zylstra: Worked 912 hours in 2011. Zylstra, 48, of Columbia, has served as a reserve deputy since April 15, 2009.

Reserve deputies volunteer their time to provide professional law enforcement services to the citizens of Lexington County. Metts said 33 reserve deputies currently give their time to work with the Sheriff’s Department.

In 2011, reserve deputies worked 1,031 patrol shifts and answered 5,570 calls for help from citizens in Lexington County, Metts said. The reserve officers also worked 465 shifts at special events, such as festivals, holiday events and parades.

Further, reserve deputies wrote 1,161 incident reports, served 217 warrants and arrested 268 persons, Metts said. The reserve officers also issued 894 citations and warnings for traffic law violations and other offenses.

Citizens who want to serve as a reserve deputy can call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230, Metts said. 

Applications for a reserve deputy position are available at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington. Citizens also can download an application for a deputy position online.

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 Lexington County Sheriff’s Department 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. And, 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.