(A) The county is authorized to have a Sheriff’s Reserve Police Unit, more commonly known as “The Ripley County Sheriff’s Police Reserve Unit”.
(B) Such unit and its members shall serve under the following rules.
(1) Appointing authority. Appointments to membership of the Sheriff’s Police Reserve Unit shall be made by the County Sheriff’s Merit Board following recommendation of the County Sheriff.
(2) Termination. Any Police Reserve officer may be terminated at any time, without cause, by the Sheriff of the county.
(3) Membership number. The Sheriff’s Police Reserve Unit shall consist of a membership of not more than 35 persons.
(4) Residency. Each Police Reserve officer shall, at the time of his or her membership, reside within the area set by rule of the County Sheriff’s Merit Board.
(5) Qualifications. Each Police Reserve officer shall be in good physical condition, of good character and not less than 21 years of age. Prior to appointment as a Police Reserve officer, the applicant shall successfully complete a pre-basic course as prescribed by I.C. 5-2-1-9(f) and any other requirements set by rule of the County Sheriff’s Merit Board.
(6) Oath.
(a) Prior to assuming his or her duties, each Police Reserve officer shall take and subscribe an oath in the same fashion as is taken and subscribed by all Sheriff’s deputies.
(b) Upon taking and subscribing the oath of office, each Police Reserve officer shall be issued an official commission card signed by the Sheriff of the county. This card shall be retained in the personal possession of the member at all times.
(7) Powers. Police Reserve officers shall have the same police powers as regular members of the County Sheriff’s office. Police reserve officers shall function under the immediate direction of the Sheriff of the county or, in his or her absence, the senior officer on duty. Police Reserve officers shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s office; provided, however, that, membership in the Sheriff’s Police Reserve Unit shall not constitute membership in the regularly constituted Sheriff’s office, nor shall any member be entitled to any right or privilege of compensation, pension or any other similar right or privilege of members of the regularly constituted Sheriff’s office.
(8) Uniforms. The Police Reserve officers shall furnish their own uniforms and other necessary equipment without reimbursement from the county or the Sheriff’s office, excepting and only to the extent, if any, specifically provided for by appropriation of the County Council.
(9) Training. Each Police Reserve officer is required to successfully complete all training mandated by the state for regular members of the Sheriff’s Department and all training required by rule of the County Sheriff’s Merit Board.
(10) Status. Each Police Reserve officer shall serve as a volunteer and shall not be considered an employee of the county and shall not be eligible for benefits of regular employees of the county. However, subject to rule of the County Sheriff’s Merit Board and the extent of appropriation of funds for the following purposes, Police Reserve officers may receive:
(a) A uniform allowance;
(b) Compensation for time lost from other employment because of court appearances; and
(c) Insurance for life, accident and sickness coverage, including worker’s compensation.
(11) Pensions. Police Reserve officers are not eligible to participate in any pension program which may be provided for the regular members of the Sheriff’s Department.
(12) Rules. Each Police Reserve officer shall be bound by rules establishing operation procedures and protocol adopted by the County Sheriff’s Merit Board (i.e., training, limitation of powers, scope of duties, scope of authority, chain of authority, qualifications, uniforms and the like).
(Ord. 2007-6, passed 5-7-2007)