Sheriff's Reserves

New Mexico Law ( Section 4-41-10) allows "any sheriff ... at any time to appoint respectable and orderly persons as special deputies to serve any particular order, writ or process or when in the opinion of any sheriff the appointment of special deputies is necessary and required for the purpose of preserving the peace ..."

The Reserve Program

"... become a part-time deputy and full-time hero"

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Reserve Program is a very special program even among all the Reserve programs in the State of New Mexico. The Santa Fe County Sheriff has allowed volunteers, who meet the minimum requirements, to participate in all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office. This includes working as a fully commissioned Law Enforcement Officer carrying out the duties of the Sheriff’s Office.

As such, in order to maintain a highly effective and quality Sheriff’s Reserve Program a set of minimum standards must be met and maintained.

The use of a three tiered program permits for a variety of standards which allows individuals to contribute to the Sheriff’s Office with what best fits their abilities and desires.

The level of participation is total up to you. You may choose a level which allows you to participate as little or as much as you wish. Each progressive Level comes with additional authority and access to additional equipment. However, each level comes with a minimum set of requirements to which you must commit. As the Sheriff’s Office supplies you with additional training and equipment it requires a greater commitment on your part.

Your ability to maintain or comply with the requirements of a Level is totally voluntary. If you decide that you want to move to the next level, you need only commit yourself to the requirements of that level. However, if for whatever reason you are unable to maintain or comply with the requirements of the Level you have chosen, you may step back to another level that best suits you.

If the administration of the Reserve Program determines that you are not fulfilling your requirements of the Level you are assigned, you may be required to complete additional training or be assigned to a less demanding level. Subsequently you may be asked to surrender the equipment and authority of your previous Level.

The Reserve Program is broken down into 3 major tiers:

Level 1 – Reserve Auxiliary – lowest level of authority, training and equipment

Level 2 – Reserve Deputy (or cadet) – Commissioned, minimum authority, training and equipment

Level 3 – Reserve Deputy – Commissioned, full authority, training and equipment. May be issued a patrol car and may be autonomous.

Special provisions may be made for individuals with special skills, training and abilities.

Individuals with administrative rank of Corporal and above will be Level 3 Reserves Only.

Level 2 Reserves with special training and or skills may be called upon to train or advise other members of the Program.