§ 2-36. Police reserve force.

(a)

Established. There is hereby established a police reserve force for the city.

(b)

Appointment and removal of members. Members of the police reserve force shall be appointed at the discretion of the chief of police, with the prior approval of the city council, and shall serve as police officers during the actual discharge of official duties. The chief of police shall have the authority to suspend or discharge a reserve police officer.

(c)

Number. The police reserve force shall not exceed the authorized strength of 25 members.

(d)

Call to service. Members of the police reserve force shall serve at the discretion of the chief of police and may be called into active service at any time the chief of police considers it necessary to have additional police officers to preserve the peace and enforce the law.

(e)

Compensation; medical assistance. The city may provide hospital and medical assistance to members of the police reserve force who sustain injury in the course of performing official duties, in the same manner as provided by the city for its full-time police officers, and reserve officers shall be eligible for death benefits as provided by V.T.C.A., Government Code ch. 615; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit a member of the police reserve force to become eligible for participation in any pension fund created pursuant to state statute, to which regular officers may become a member by payroll deductions or otherwise. Reserve officers shall act only in a supplementary capacity to the regular police officers.

(f)

Standards of training. Reserve police officers must comply with the minimum training standards established by the state commission on law enforcement officer standards and education for all reserve law enforcement officers. Compliance with minimum standards must be fulfilled prior to any appointment, carrying of a weapon or otherwise acting as a peace officer. The chief of police shall establish qualifications and standards of training for members of the reserve police force and shall establish rules and regulations governing reserve police officers. The chief of police may establish minimum physical, mental, educational and moral standards as used by the regular police department, but in no case shall the standards be less than that established by the state commission on law enforcement officer standards and education.

(g)

Construction with state law. If any portion of this section is in conflict with any part of V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 141.007 or 142.003, or any other law of this state, the terms and provisions of those laws will govern.

(Code 1977, § 16-7(a)—(e), (g), (h))

State law reference

Police reserve force generally, V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 341.012.

Charter reference

Police department, § 5.05.1.