Reserve Law Enforcement Academy
The process for Applying for Recognition of a Basic Reserve Academy and the individual applications for reserve officers is changing.
The Applications for Recognition of your Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy are due 90 days prior to the predicted start date of your reserve academies.
- Change in the individual Reserve Application Process as a result of recent legislative changes – RCW 43.101.095(2). The WACs (139-05-810, 139-05-825) have not been updated as of yet to reflect these changes. As a Result, the application process will now be identical to the process used when hiring Full-Time Peace Officers.
Some of the changes:
- Notice of Hire Forms must be completed prior to the beginning of the Reserve Academy. This now requires:
- Complete background investigation as explained in RCW 43.101.095(2)(a through d) and includes
- COMPLETED Polygraph and Psychological examinations
- COMPLETED Criminal History and Fingerprint check
- OTHER background check components ARE REQUIRED to be completed prior to the beginning of the academy – Please Review RCW 43.101.095 for details.
- Pre-Registration will be completed through ACADIS, followed up by the Completed Notice of Hire Form. Prospective students will not be enrolled in the Reserve Academy roster until all forms are received.
The WSCJTC does not schedule Reserve Officer Academies. Host agencies must apply to hold a reserve academy.
Upon approval, available Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy sessions can be found in the ACADIS list of Available Training by clicking this link Acadis, choosing filters and entering the program code 0080 in the search field.
This class is a minimum of 356 hours in length. The Reserve Academy curriculum adopted by the Commission is designed similar to that of the Basic Academy, including student performance objectives for each instructional block. It is designed to provide reserves with the basic knowledge and skills required for safe, proper and effective law enforcement service.
Instructional blocks include:
- Criminal law and procedure
- Communications skills
- Crisis intervention
- Defensive tactics
- Patrol procedures
- Criminal investigations
- Evidence law
- Firearms (including range qualifications)
- EVOC
- Use of force
- Ethics
- Civil liability
- First aid
Graduates of a Commission approved Reserve Academy, who upon academy completion, have passed a comprehensive written exam developed and administered by the Commission, will receive the state’s basic Reserve Peace Officer Certificate. Such certificate satisfies the basic training requirements for Specially Commissioned Reserve Peace Officers under the Washington Mutual Aid Peace Officer Powers Act, RCW 10.93, chapter RCW 10.93.090.
Academy Coordinators:
Deciding to hold a Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy should not be taken lightly. The agency's job of teaching and shaping everyday citizens into a voluntary Law Enforcement professionals is a serious endeavor. Agencies must be sure to give themselves ample preparation time before and after submitting the required documentation. We recommend taking the time to put together a teaching team and maintaining organization to ensure a successful academy. Review the forms below for guidance on starting an academy.
A reserve certificate cannot be used in place of Peace Officer Certification.
(206) 835-7344
Who can attend our classes?
These training sessions are available to those that have been recently appointed by a law enforcement agency as a Reserve Officer.
Are you interested in becoming a Reserve Officer?
Contact your local Sheriff's Office or Police Department and ask for their Reserve Coordinator. All recruits must be associated with a sponsoring agency. WSCJTC does not schedule Reserve Officer Academies.
Regulation
"Reserve Officers" are included under the definition "specially commissioned Washington peace officer" under RCW 10.93.020(5). This includes any law enforcement officer who does not serve as a law enforcement officer of this state on a full-time basis, but who when called into active service, is fully commissioned on the same basis as full-time officers to enforce the criminal laws of this state.
RCW 10.93.090 explains: A specially commissioned Washington peace officer who has successfully completed a course of basic training prescribed or approved for such officers by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission may exercise any authority which the special commission vests in the officer, throughout the territorial bounds of the state, outside of the officer's primary territorial jurisdiction under the following circumstances:
- The officer is in fresh pursuit, as defined in RCW 10.93.120; or
- The officer is acting pursuant to mutual law enforcement assistance agreement between the primary commissioning agency and the agency with primary territorial jurisdiction.
Schedule
Every academy must have an academy schedule filled out completely in order to be approved by CJTC. Please remember that Firearms, DT, and EVOC must be taught by the approved instructor from your application. Graduation ceremonies must be scheduled at least 7 business days after the final exam. No new information can be taught once the final exam has been given. The reserve program is moving towards standardization between academies. We suggest using the form below for assistance in creating a schedule.
REQUIRED FORMS
- Form 1271 – Application for Academy Recognition:
- Form 1272 – Request for Graduation Certificates:
- Form 1273 – Termination from Academy: The Reserve Academy Coordinator is responsible for completing the notice of termination for ANY reason a reserve recruit exits the reserve academy prior to its conclusion.
- Form CJ 1902 – Notice of Separation: The agency sponsoring the reserve officer recruit is responsible for completing the notice of separation form within 15 days of separation and emailing this to certmail@cjtc.wa.gov.
- Form CJ 1903 – Notice of Hire Form: The agency sponsoring the reserve officer recruit is responsible for creating a request for an ACADIS Profile and submitting the Notice of Hire forms to our certifications division (certmail@cjtc.wa.gov). Prior to the start of the Academy. No recruit will be allowed to remain in the academy without first having submitted the notice of hire form and complying with all background requirements outlined in RCW 43.101.095.
The notice of separation and hire forms can be found here, along with important useful information regarding the hiring process for entry level and lateral reserve officers.