By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Centralia Police Department is now recruiting for up to five reserve police officer positions.
A reserve law enforcement academy is tentatively scheduled to begin in April, with graduation in September.
Applications for the volunteer positions are due by Feb. 1.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office will be tentatively co-hosting the training.
The program is sponsored through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Stacy Brown says the academy requires a minimum of 249.5 hours of course work and certifies individuals to work as reserve officers throughout the state.
“Reserve deputies typically work with full-time deputies in performance of their duties,” Brown states. “Tenured reserves who have passed appropriate training are also allowed to perform patrol duties by themselves with minimal supervision.”
Centralia police describe the testing process as including a physical ability test, oral board interview, background investigation, polygraph (lie detector test) and psychological testing.
Persons interested in becoming part of the sheriff’s office reserve program may contact Deputy Matt Schlecht at mathew.schlecht@lewiscountywa.gov or at 360-748-9286.
Those interested in becoming involved with Centralia’s program can contact Sgt. Carl Buster at cbuster@cityofcentralia.com or 360-330-7680. Centralia’s applications can be downloaded from http://www.cityofcentralia.com/files/Job%20Application%20-%20Fill%20in%20Form.pdf
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Bo Rupert says:
Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 6:18 pm
I should apply just to be a dick.
Bo,
I know this might come as a shock, but such comments might not serve you well the day you really do go running for an elected office. Just say’n.
@Free Air,
Oops. I believe you are correct and I apologize. I am just so opposed to the idea of hiring even more (paid) police when there are many, many other areas that could use the funding so much more that I often just start voicing my displeasure prematurely.
I suppose I sometimes look foolish in doing so, but I’ll be the first to say “my mistake” as I am far from perfect.
Soaper,
Unless I’m missing something, the positions are volunteer. Translation, unpaid. Adding more reserves means more two person units on patrol for the price of one.
Ok, just called Sgt. Carl Buster! The application process has started. This should be funny. #totallynottakingthisseriously
You must have missed the part where I said I would do it just to be a dick. Like I would ever want to work for those commies anyways.
Yay more government programs Yay!
Just what Centralia needs…more cops. My god! How about fixing the roads (or even painting them)? Or maybe do some work to the downtown area so it isn’t a throwback to the 19th Century (yes, I am aware that is the 1800’s)?
There are a million things this area needs before more law enforcement.
Besides the police around here don’t even do basic police duties anymore such as traffic enforcement. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a Centralia cop with a radar gun. They seemed to have swapped that for the taser instead. Literally 95% of the police’s effort around here goes into chasing addicts around hoping they have a pipe on them. The results of that speak for themselves.
At the very least, if they want to hire 5 reserve cops that’s great…as long as they s*it can the current full timers.
You’re already a dick…Do you think you need to keep proving it.? You must have missed the part about back ground checks… No FELONS.
I should apply just to be a dick.