The Cascade County Sheriff's Office announced Friday they plan to recruit 10 to 15 new reserve deputies. This will bring their total reserve deputy force to around 25.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said the agency hopes to recruit service-oriented volunteers with different areas of expertise. “We’re really excited about that public – private partnership. So we're hoping to get people in our community that maybe have an expertise and want to come use it in our office or those that are just really, really interested in a career in law enforcement and this is a good way for them to get starting,” Slaughter said.
Although the Reserve Deputy Program isn’t unique to Cascade County, it’s projected growth this year is.
“Most Sheriff’s offices in the state of Montana have a reserve program. What's unique to us is past administrations have let it kind of go away. At the time I was elected Sheriff we had two reserves. We are currently, I think, sitting at six or seven reserves right now, but we are looking to get up into that 25 or higher range to have a reserve force,” Slaughter said.
Slaughter believes these additional force members can help in situations where more manpower is needed as well as to increase the office’s ability to serve the public.
“I look at this as an opportunity for us as an office to get better,” Slaughter said, “ Here at the sheriff’s office we don’t believe we’re an authority figure over the public, we believe we work for the public, and what a better way to show that than by having members of the public come literally do our job with us?”
He added that the reserve officer position offers benefits to the volunteers as well.
“A lot of times people really have a sincere want to serve in our communities. And now they have the opportunity to give back to their community and serve and get that fulfillment. But they also have the opportunity to be part of us. They also get the opportunity to learn about why we do things we do, and they can be ambassadors to our community,” Slaughter said.
Any Cascade County resident age 18 or over is eligible to apply. If you're interested or want more information, click here.
