What is the KCSDRD?

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department Reserve Division was organized in 1963 as a county civil defense unit, primarily to react to county and national emergencies such as tornadoes or nuclear attack. In 1973 the unit was trained and armed to be a back up for, and lend assistance to the regular Sheriff's Department staff.

The Reserves provide the “extra bodies” necessary to accomplish extraordinary tasks that the Sheriff's Department is called upon to carry out. As an example, of the 350 officers from various county and state law enforcement departments who were needed to control the KKK rally held in Kalamazoo in 1998, approximately 75 were reserve officers. These officers stood shoulder to shoulder with regular full-time officers facing the crowds.

Security for the Kalamazoo County Fair is a prime responsibility for the Reserve Division. Reserves also participate in day-to-day activities of the Sheriff's Department, which include riding on patrol, traffic control for parades, and working shifts at the county jail. The Reserve Division also assists the KCSD Marine Division in doing safety inspections and water law enforcement on many of the local lakes during the summer months.

Organized as a para-military group with ranks much the same as the Sheriff's Department, a Captain is in command, with Lieutenants and Sergeants in charge of the various sections such as Transportation, Firearms, Supply and Training.

The Reserve Division is an unpaid, volunteer organization. Most officers have full time jobs and the Division includes both men and women spanning age groups from 21 to 65. They are bankers, lawyers, engineers, students, factory workers and farmers. The common thread is that they all have an interest in law enforcement and a desire to keep the community safe.


How do you become a Reserve Officer?

In August & September of each year, applications are solicited through the local media such as radio, television and newspapers. The applicants are thoroughly screened, including background checks and personal interviews. Those selected are then appointed to the Reserve Academy, which begins in January of each year and is sponsored by the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Department.


The KCSDRD Academy

With a reputation of excellence, recruits are sent to the academy from Van Buren County, Allegan County, Portage City Police Department and Kalamazoo Township. Training consists of over 100 hours of intense law enforcement training that gives the recruit a basic understanding of day to day police work. The classes, held between January and May of each year, include basic law, use of force, crime scene investigation, domestic disputes and other facets of law enforcement.

In addition, Physical activities such as unarmed restraint, use of chemicals, hard object defensive weapons and felony stops are taught. The firearms portion of the academy is an intense four week training on the use of deadly force.

Academy instructors are Criminal Justice professionals in the various fields including the Prosecutors Office, the County Sheriff, and local attorneys.


After Graduation

Completion of the academy is not the end of training. There are several required annual qualifications such as firearms and continuum of force. In addition, monthly training classes are held on law enforcement subjects and quarterly field exercises such as lost person searches, felony stops, and Firearms open shoots are also held.

In return for this training, the Reserve Division asks for a commitment of then to 23 (Min) hours per year from the recruit, chosen from the broad range of activities offered.

Considering the limited budgets of local law enforcement departments, the reserve division is an integral part of continued community safety. It presents the opportunity to truly participate in giving to your community while learning new skills and becoming part of the local law enforcement team.