The LAPD Celebrates Reserve Officer Appreciation Month NR15116lp

Los Angeles: In honor of LAPD Reserve Appreciation Month the Department would like to highlight some of the contributions made by our revered Reserve Officers.

In 2014, the 405 volunteers that make up the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps saved the City of Los Angeles $2,160,971. Over a 12 month period, the Reserve Officers volunteered 46,426 hours and performed a variety of law enforcement related duties including working Patrol and Traffic Units, assisting Detectives with their investigations, as well as in Administrative support functions.

The members of the Reserve Program have been protecting and serving the City since 1947. The Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation was established in 1984. For reference, volunteers had been patrolling the streets of Los Angeles for many years prior. Currently there are 405 Police Reserve Officers serving the Department. These Reserve Officers not only volunteer their time to protect the City, but also work full time jobs outside the Department. Chief Charlie Beck started his career as an LAPD Reserve Officer in 1975, working with Rampart Division for several years.

Understanding the value of the LAPD Reserve Officers and the Reserve Officer Program, the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation will present the Twice a Citizen Awards on Saturday, April 11, 2015. The dinner gala will take place at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City and will pay tribute to the hundreds of heroic and selfless Reserve Officers and Specialist Volunteers who donate so much of their personal time to the LAPD and the City of Los Angeles.

Recognizing the contributions made by the Reserve Officers, and the need to involve young adults in our community, the LAPD, the Los Angeles Community College District and the Los Angeles Unified School District created the Police Orientation Preparation Program (POPP). Students involved in the two-year program attend classes at the LAPD Police Academy located at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center. Each day, POPP students participate in physical training and a course of study that concludes with a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Currently, there are 90 students enrolled in POPP, and 15 of those students are in the process of becoming LAPD Level III Reserve Officers.

The LAPD is making great strides to partner with the community. The distinguished Cadet, POPP and Reserve Officer Programs grant us the opportunity to invest in our future and prepare the next generation of LAPD officers.