ABOUT US
The Reserve Division of the NOPD, through its use of volunteers, supplements the resources of Patrol Districts and provides manpower for a large variety of assignments that would in many cases require full-time officers to fill.

The Reserve Division of the New Orleans Police Department is presently comprised of three (3) full time members (a police captain, a police officer and an civilian office manager) and 88 fully commissioned volunteer officers.

Reserve membership is divided amongst the eight (8) police districts and Special Operations. The number of officers assigned is determined by district need and consideration is given to the request made by the volunteer. Reserve officers perform the same duties as a regular patrol officer. Reserves also provide additional manpower for special events. Reserve officers demonstrating talent and interest are trained as motorcycle officers, mounted officers, bicycle officers, and SWAT team members.

Within the Reserves, officers can be promoted to the rank of both Sergeant and Lieutenant. Candidates must successfully pass a written and/or assessment test prior to being eligible for promotion.

Reserve Officers attend the New Orleans Police Academy and are POST certified upon completion. Reserve Officers receive the same training as full-time officers. Reserve Officers are required to volunteer a minimum of 24 hours of service per month in order to maintain their police officer’s commission. A Reserve Officer receives a yearly uniform allowance of $500.00 if they perform a minimum of 288 hours per year of service.

HISTORY
The Reserve Division of the NOPD was first organized in 1956 as an extension of Civil Defense. After a number of years the Civil Defense members were incorporated into the NOPD and called the Police Auxiliary. Members were identified by the five (5) digit badge number and the word AUXILIARY on the rocker placed under the Police Department shoulder patch. As times changed, the unit became known as the Reserves and that title replaced auxiliary on the uniform and badge. It was not until the mid 1990's that all references to Reserves were removed from the uniform and badge. Only the 5 digit badge number differentiates a reserve officer’s uniform from that of a full-time officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Unlike full time members, applicants for the Reserves are not required to live in the City of New Orleans. An applicant must live in the greater New Orleans area. Applicants must be 21 years of age by the time the academy class is completed, possess a valid drivers license, at least a G.E.D and be able to pass the background investigation.

HOW DO I JOIN?
Reserve applicants are processed in the same manner as a full time applicant. Applicants must apply at Civil Service and take the Civil Service test for police recruit.

Civil Service Application office is located on the 7th floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, La. 70112. Applications are accepted Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.

Reserve applicants are required to present at the time of application their original high school diploma or G.E.D., their original birth certificate or certified copy, and a current valid drivers license.

APPLICANT INVESTIGATION PROCESS
If the applicant successfully completes the Civil Service test, the applicant will be contacted and scheduled for a background interview by the NOPD Recruitment and Applicant Investigation Division. The entire process is performed in the same manner used for full time applicants. With the successful completion of the background, the applicant will be contacted by Civil Service and scheduled for a medical and psychological exam.

ACADEMY TRAINING
The NOPD Training Academy is located at Jackson Barracks. Training for reserve recruits is conducted two (2) evenings per week (6p-10p) and on either Saturday or Sunday (8am-4pm). It is crucial that all classes be attended in order for the recruit to successfully complete the POST exam a the time of graduation. Training consists of over 350 hours of classroom time including firearms and driver training. Upon completion of the training academy, the Reserve Recruit must complete a Field Training program.

For further details, interested individuals should contact:
New Orleans Police Department
Reserve Division
100 City Park Avenue
New Orleans, La. 70119