CULLMAN, Ala. – On Monday evening, the Cullman City Council formally approved a reserve police force for the Cullman Police Department (CPD), noting in the ordinance that, “certain levels of manpower are required in order to provide for the safety of the public and also to the members of the Cullman Police Department,” that, “the City of Cullman desires to protect lives and property, as well as the safety of its citizens in a professional manner,” and that, “the use of reserve officers allows for voluntary augmentation of sworn law enforcement officers while allowing those reserves to train.”
According to Police Chief Kenny Culpepper, the department has had reserve officers for years with 15 currently serving, but the city government and CPD have never formally defined that force.
Culpepper told The Tribune, “We’ve had a reserve program ever since I’ve been here. I don’t know when it was created, probably 50 or 60 years ago. This (ordinance) is just to bring us in compliance with the state. We’re not going to add any personnel; we’ve already got 15 reserves or part-time officers, and we have had as long as I’ve been here. But the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission requires that you have an ordinance, enacting it and all this kind of stuff that we’ve never done.”
Culpepper added that the passing of the ordinance will not lead to increased costs for the department or city but will help the department send its reserve officers for training.
The ordinance passed Monday evening lays out the regulations under which the reserve force operates. Important points indicate that reserve officers:
- Will be unpaid volunteers
- Will not be allowed to carry firearms without proper training and state certification by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOST)
- Will have limited duty assignments such as patrol, traffic control and crowd control, under the supervision of a certified officer
- Will not have powers of arrest without APOST certification
- Will, upon receiving APOST certification, be able to apply for paid part-time positions in the Cullman Police Department
Regulations
Section 1. Establishment
As provided by § 11-43-210, Code of Alabama, 1975, a police reserve force, hereinafter called “reserve”, is hereby established within the police department of the City of Cullman, Alabama. The purpose of this Reserve is to supplement, not replace, the existing and future paid personnel of Cullman Police Department.
Section 2. Qualifications
The reserve shall consist eligible citizens, all of whom are twenty-one (21) years of age or older. Any person desiring appointment to the reserve must submit a written application to the chief of police of the City of Cullman, Alabama, and pass a physical agility test and background check. Applicant shall be of good moral character and reputation, and has never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving force, violence or moral turpitude.
Section 3. Appointment
Appointments to the Reserve shall be made by the Chief of Police with the approval of the Mayor. Members of the reserve are not permanent employees of the City of Cullman and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Police, and may be removed with or without cause and without hearing by the Chief of Police.
Section 4. Supervision
The reserve shall function under the immediate direction of the designee of the chief of police, who shall provide for its organization and training. The chief of police is hereby authorized and directed to establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the reserve.
Section 5. Equipment
Each member of the reserve shall be issued an identification card signed by the chief of police and the mayor. Members of the reserve shall carry this identification card with them at all times. When funding allows, each reserve shall be provided with required uniforms and equipment to carry out duties of the reserve police force.
Section 6. Duties
The duties of reserve officers are confined to the following: (1) Patrol operation performed for the purpose of detection, prevention and suppression of crime or enforcement of traffic or highway laws of the state, provided the reserve law enforcement officer acts at all times under the direct control and supervision of a certified law enforcement officer. (2) Traffic direction and control may be performed without direct supervision; provided, however, that supervisory control is exercised by a certified law enforcement officer whose total span of control would be considered within reasonable limits. (3) Reserve officers may render crowd control assistance at public gatherings or municipal functions as directed by the municipality, provided supervisory control will be exercised by a certified law enforcement officer whose total span of control would be considered within reasonable limits. For purposes of this section, the term “certified law enforcement officer” shall mean a sworn police officer who has completed the training requirements of the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission as set out in Article 3, Chapter 21, Title 36, Code of Alabama, 1975.
Section 7. Arrest Powers
No member of the reserve shall have any authority to exercise any power of arrest unless he or she has completed the training requirements of the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission as set out in Article 3, Chapter 21, Title 36, Code of Alabama, 1975.
Section 8. Training
Members of the reserve will be required to attend departmental training, which may include the field training officer program. The members of the reserve may be offered and required to attend the law enforcement academy at the direction of the police chief. The costs associated with this and other training are to be paid by the City so long as funding is available and approved.
Section 9. Weapons
No member of the reserve shall carry a weapon while on duty unless the reserve officer has completed the training requirements as designated by the chief of police. The reserve officer also must have a valid pistol permit.
Section 10. Compensation
No member of the reserve shall receive compensation for the time they work. Reserves who have completed the training requirements of the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission and have received certification as a law enforcement officer may apply for hire as a part-time officer given position and fund availability.
Section 11. Repealer
All ordinances or parts thereof which are in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 12. Effective Date
This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as provided by law.
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