Reserve deputies finish six months of training

Photo provided by DAWN PANEPINTO -- 2012 Reserve Academy graduates, from left, are Damieon Tanner, of the Ponchatoula Police Department; Allen Busby, of the Ponchatoula Police Department; Richard Davidson, of Ponchatoula Police Department; Alissa Cannon, of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Ethan Dunn, of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Lt. Steven C. Redmond, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Wilson 'Peewee' Gatlin, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Timothy Hurley, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Justin Kelley, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Todd Bankston, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Adam Rudolph, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; Billy Gross, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office; and James Stilley, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Several 2012 Reserve Academy graduates have finished approximately 270 hours of training, completing the training required to become a Uniform Patrol Deputy.

The Reserve Program is strictly voluntary.

“To complete the six-month academy takes hard work and dedication,” Lt. Steven Redmond said. “With the program being voluntary, partnered with them having to complete the course while managing their everyday lives, I am proud to say that each of these cadets is graduating with excellence.”

Reserve deputies are used in nearly all police and sheriff’s agencies to supplement law enforcement manpower. Like regular officers, reserve deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, reserves are assigned to the same duties as regular officers.

“Our Reserve Unit is comprised of individuals that want to contribute to the safety and well-being of their community as well as those who work in law enforcement,” Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said.

“In 2011, reserve deputies contributed more than 15,000 hours of community service in our parish,” he added.