by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The Sartell Police Department is hoping to get four or five more volunteers for its Reserve Officers Program.
There are currently eight serving, but one or two of them might be leaving soon for other opportunities, said Sgt. Kelly Mader, Sartell police officer and head of the Reserve Officers Program.
Mader explained what reserve officers do: They fill in for all sorts of tasks as adjuncts to the patrol officers. For example, they do traffic, parking supervision and crowd control at festivals, athletic events and other special occasions. They are also invaluable to serve in emergency situations, dealing with the public, doing specific errands for officers and the department, and generally filling in when needed.
Mader said the department tries to get a diverse mix of people for its Reserve Officers Program. Some are law-enforcement students who like to acquire hands-on experience before they someday join a police or sheriff’s force; others are graduates of the Citizens’ Police Academy; still others, of various ages, just enjoy working with police and the public.
Reserve officers work a minimum of 10 hours per month and attend a mandatory two-hour monthly meeting. They must be 18, in reasonably good physical shape, able to pass a background check and must possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license.
Mader said he’s hoping to get several applications by a deadline of Friday, Feb. 20, although people may apply for a reserve position year-round. To apply, pick up an application at the Sartell Police Department or go to its website at sartellmn.com/police-department, or search for ‘Sartell Police Department’ on Facebook.
