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Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650/903-6344
Directions & Map
Hours
General Business:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)
Walk-in Crime Reports:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (7 days)
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Reserve police officers are part-time officers employed by MVPD. When they're on duty, they have full police powers. Most reserve officers have other careers and work as police officers for fun in addition to their regular jobs.
MVPD uses reserve officers to staff events where police service is paid for by a private enterprise. Examples include events at Shoreline Amphitheatre and community events, such as the Art & Wine Festival. Reserve officers also assist with some routine patrol and other officer responsibilities. In 2005, 25 reserve officers provided 7194 hours of service. Mountain View PD currently has 16 reserve officers.
Reserve Officer Employment Opportunities
Newly hired reserve officers participate in a 200-hour field training program (or a 400-hour field training program to achieve Level I status). Many career enhancement opportunities exist for both Level I and II reserve officers.
Reserve officers must work a minimum of 16 hours per month in traffic patrol, park patrol or assisting full-time officers. Level I Reserve officers may work solo patrol and special assignments as needed.
Paid details exist in the form of special events, private hire functions, and Shoreline Amphitheatre concerts. Paid details are compensated at minimum wage ($6.75 per hour), but can go as high as $43.66 per hour for special details. Note: no payment is made for any detail until officer completes 200 hours of field training.
Reserve officer testing requirements are the same as for regular officers. Testing involves a submitted application, written examination, oral interview, medical, psychological and polygraph examinations and a background investigation.
Reserve Levels
State Police Officer Standards & Training (POST) classifies reserve officers at three different levels, where Level III is the least-trained officer and Level I the most-trained officer. (Level I requires the same training program as a full-time police officer.)
Each level requires a training certificate at that level. In addition to POST training, each level requires a minimum number of hours of field training, which is conducted by the police department.
Level III Reserves- Requires POST Level III Certificate.
- Minor duties only.
Level II Reserves- Requires POST Level II & III Certificates.
- Requires 200 hours field training.
- Can work as police officer with a regular officer present.
Level I Reserves- Requires POST Level I, II & III Certificates, or Basic Regular Academy Certificate.
- Requires 400 hours field training.
- Preparation equivalent to regular officers.
- Can work solo patrol.
| | Reserve Officer Qualifications- Age 21+
- CA Driver's License
- Vision & hearing per POST guidelines
- Computer keyboard skills
- Level III or II POST certification, or basic academy
- College (Level I only): 40 semester or 60 quarter units
Reserve Application Process- Contact SBRPSTC to take written test. Obtain certificate of passing score.
- Prepare application.
- Attach POST certificates.
- Mail or deliver application and certificates to:
Sgt. Ted Rodgers
Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041 - If accepted, receive invitation to oral board.
- Oral board.
- If pass oral board, put on eligibility list.
- Chief's interview.
- If pass Chief's interview, begin background investigation.
- Medical and psychological exams.
- Polygraph exam.
- If hired, receive offer letter.
The process takes 4-12 months.
State POST Links
South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium
CA Peace Officer Training & Standards
Full-time Police Officers
Police Employment
City Employment
Questions?
Sgt. Ted Rodgers
650/903-6367
More Police Contacts |
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Are reserve officers insured like regular officers?
Reserve officers are covered under the city workers' comp policy, which covers all accidents or injuries while on the job. Other benefits, such as life insurance and legal advice are available through police officer associations.
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Can a reserve officer work for more than one police agency?
Yes.
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Do reserve officers pay for their own uniforms?
MVPD provides uniforms, safety equipment, duty weapon, a locker and a mailbox. Reserve officers are responsible for their own dry cleaning costs.
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How do I get started as a reserve officer?
Attending the POST Modular Academy (Level III) is a good beginning. Classes are held at Evergreen Community College and College of San Mateo. You don't need to have an agency affiliation to attend. Send your application when you're about halfway through the class. MVPD will begin your background investigation after you successfully pass POST Level III.
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How does being a Level I reserve officer differ from being a regular, full-time officer?
You are only considered a police officer while on duty, unlike regular officers. You work part-time.
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How many hours can a reserve officer work?
You can work a maximum of 1000 hours per year. More than that would change your status from part-time and at-will, which is required by the program.
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What are the vision and hearing requirements for police officers?
Go to POST Medical Screening Manual.
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What background issues would rule me out as a police officer?
Keep in mind that each applicant's background is considered as a whole. You don't have to be perfect. Applicants are commonly ruled out because of criminal history, extensive drug use, credit issues and integrity (i.e. lying on background forms).
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What medical issues would rule me out as a police officer?
Police officer must be able to perform strenuous activities, such as running, climbing fences, fighting and carrying heavy weight. Some of these activities may be impossible for people with certain diseases or may cause the diseases to worsen. Some health conditions may put others at risk of transmission. Each individual's situation will be evaluated separately. For more information, refer to the POST Medical Screening Manual.
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What sort of duties can I work as a reserve officer?
Level III reserve officers can work, traffic, prisoner transport and event security. Level II can make arrests and perform other officer duties with supervision. Level I officers can do anything a regular police officer can do, including solo patrols.
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