CRPOA Member Agency Spotlight
Walnut Creek Police Department (Contra Costa County)
Information submitted by CRPOA member:
Res. Ofc. Chris Flath
E-mail: flath@ci.walnut-creek.ca.us
Department home page: www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us/WCPD/Reserve
Population: 63,000
Principal Industry: Retail, General Office
Number of reserve officers: 35
Number of reserves allocated: 50
Number of regular officers: 80
The Walnut Creek Police Reserve Corps is a POST Level I organization. Currently, there are 35 Reserve Officers, which are assigned to 4 squads. We are a self-managed, autonomous unit and are led by a Reserve Command Staff mirroring the regular department. The Reserve Captain is the administrative and operational commander of the Reserve organization. There are two Lieutenants and six Sergeants who report to the Reserve Captain. Four of the Reserve Sergeants oversee the balance of the Reserve Officers in squads.
Reserve Officers may ride with regular officers or drive solo on patrol, depending upon their POST and departmental certification. In addition to general patrol duties, the Reserve Officers have several unique programs that they operate. The Reserves have four mountain bikes that are used to patrol the parks, trails, and downtown area of our City. In addition, we have two off-road motorcycles that are used to patrol the City's large open space area. Reserve Officers are not compensated monetarily for their service, however all uniforms and safety equipment are provided by the department.
The Reserves participate in an annual disaster preparedness drill as well as provide police presence for many events within the community such as the Walnut Festival, Art & Wine Festival, school functions, and athletic events. The Reserve Corps also assists other nearby law enforcement agencies in support of their community activities.
In addition to scheduled activities and routine patrol duties, the Reserve Corps may be called upon to assist in emergencies or other special details. Our officers have been called upon to assist in search and rescue, warrant service, major crime scene preservation, etc., both in uniform and plainclothes operations. Reserve Officers have the opportunity to receive advanced professional training in many areas such as background investigation or to become certified instructors in the areas of firearms, first aid/CPR, and driver training. All Reserve Officers are expected to work a minimum of 16 hours per month plus attend a mandatory meeting and training session. Each Reserve Corps squad is assigned to work one week a month, typically on weekend nights.
Walnut Creek Police Department
1666 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Tel: (925) 943-5844
Fax: (925) 943-5811
(Information updated 03-07-00)
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