NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison on Thursday asked former officers to join the department’s reserve division. Reserve officers are unpaid, commissioned volunteers who patrol high crime areas at night and fill special assignments across the city.
The NOPD reserve division is open to all former NOPD officers who have retired or resigned from the department in good standing, a statement from the department said. As part of the application process, applicants must successfully complete a background investigation. Once accepted, officers will be reinstated at the rank at which they left the department up to lieutenant, the department said.
NOPD Reserve Commander Louis Dabdoub is holding a meeting Saturday (January 31) at 10 a.m. to talk with anyone interested in joining. The meeting will be at NOPD headquarters at 715 S. Broad Street.
Applications are also available at the civil service department at 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 900.
Members of the reserve division are required to volunteer for police duties at least 24 hours per month. Reserve officers who work at least 36 hours per month are eligible to work paid details through the Office of Police Secondary Employment.
Reserve officers are unpaid, but they receive a $500 uniform allowance.
All Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certified officers are also eligible to join the NOPD Reserves, the department said. In order to apply, applicants must complete a series of civil service exams and a background investigation. Once complete, applicants must attend a required amount of NOPD training before they are offered a position with the reserve division.
Officers who have not been active for more five years are no longer POST certified. Former officers who fall in this category are are encouraged to attend the informational meeting and to apply as well. Additional training will be required in order to regain POST certification.
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