§ 46-80. Established; qualifications of officers; training standards required; rules and regulations required; authority of officers; limitations.

(a)

There is hereby established a voluntary program to be known as the Reserve Police Officer Program comprised of persons appointed by the police chief. The Reserve Police Officer Program will augment the resources of the police department by additional trained personnel with full police powers as provided in F.S. § 943.10.

(b)

Prior to being sworn in as a reserve police officer, each officer shall have completed all training required by Florida Statutes and prescribed by the police chief.

(c)

The police chief shall promulgate rules and regulations that shall apply to the Reserve Police Officer Program prior to the initiating the program. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, training standards, responsibilities of reserve officers, selection criteria, utilization, restrictions, performance evaluation and discipline. Such rules and regulations shall be reviewed by the city attorney for form and legality prior to initiation of the reserve police officer program.

(d)

A reserve police officer, when on duty as assigned by the police chief, shall have the same authority and power of arrest as an officer employed by the police department, subject to any limitations on such authority and power of arrest as contained in the rules and regulations promulgated by the police chief.

(e)

A reserve police officer is a volunteer and shall not be classified as an employee of the City of West Palm Beach. Except as required by state or federal law, no benefits are permitted to accrue to such officers, including any rights established by collective bargaining agreements. All such officers serve as volunteers at the sole and exclusive discretion of the police chief.

(Ord. No. 4000-06, § 1, 11-20-2006)