The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department Reserve Deputy Program was instituted to help provide support to the Sheriff's Department when a need arises for community events and special details.  The Reserve Deputy is a volunteer function assigned under the Patrol Division.

Reserve Deputies are assigned to complete 160 hours of training through a certified Reserve Academy which mirrors much of the training received by full time deputies at the Idaho Peace Officers Training Center.  Each Reserve Deputy must maintain a minimum of 20 hours per month of time toward training as "ride-a-longs," as well as participate in monthly meetings.

The Reserve Deputy Program is broken into three levels of achievement: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.  Basic and Intermediate Reserve Deputies participate in "ride-a-longs" with full time Patrol Deputies and assist in handling calls for service and enforcing Kootenai County Ordinances and Idaho State Law.  Advanced level Reserves are those who have completed the Department's 14 week Field Training Program.  Upon completion, the Advanced Reserve is able to work on their own, assisting with traffic complaints and minor calls for service.

The Reserve Deputies also assist on citizen projects associated with local schools, local food drives, and the Shop with a Hero program.  They also assist when general staffing needs arise, such as for full deployment days and holidays like the Fourth of July.

The Reserve Deputy Program is vital in handling tasks which free up full time deputies to handle the citizen calls for service more quickly. 

Those interested in more information about the Reserve Deputy Program or in becoming involved in the Reserve Deputy Program should contact Sergeant Mike McFarland at 446-1360.