For many, retirement signals the end of a career and the start of a new chapter. But for a handful of men and women at the sheriff’s office, retirement is not the end of their service. It’s an opportunity to give back in a different way.

The Reserve Deputy Program gives retired members the opportunity to volunteer their time to help fulfill certain needs at the PCSO while maintaining their law enforcement certification. Reserve deputies can assist with training, patrolling certain areas of the county, and other special tasks that allow active-duty deputies time to fulfill other responsibilities.

Reserve deputies must be former members, complete the field training program, and commit to serving at least 20 hours a month. They can serve in various areas, such as the Marine and Environmental Lands Unit, School Guardian Unit, and Sexual Predator and Offender Tracking (S.P.O.T.) Unit with approval from command staff and prior experience.

Sergeant Chris Platt oversees the Reserve Deputy Program and often uses the reserve deputies to meet different needs at the sheriff’s office.

“It’s great to have extra people you can call on at a moment’s notice,” Sgt. Platt said. “Many of them will drop what they are doing and come help out when we need them. Last year, we used a lot of reserve deputies during the COVID-19 response on the beaches, and posting notices on businesses. They’ve been a valuable resource since we started the program in 2016.”

Reserve Deputy Stephen Klapka has been a reserve deputy for five years and primarily helps in the Patrol Operations Bureau, but he also assists the Training Division.

“I decided to join the Reserve Deputy Program because my friend, Deputy Don Mast, was retiring from the agency and I thought it would be a great idea to come back and work with him again,” Klapka said. “I enjoy the program because after I retired, I missed working in patrol and training, and I wanted to keep serving the community on a part-time basis.”

According to Corporal Giles, who works with Sgt. Platt to manage and schedule the reserve deputies, they currently have 20 people signed up, and many of them bring a wealth of experience to the sheriff’s office.

“We have reserve members who have worked detective spots, been lieutenants, and worked in street crimes and narcotics,” Corporal Giles said. “They are a wealth of information because they’ve been doing it for so long, they’ve seen how things have changed over the years, and they can bring that history and explain it during training sessions.”

Reserve Deputy Stanley Gams, for example, has helped with the Sheriff's Citizens Academy program and the Training Division for years, and also helps clean and check weapons in the Armory. Reserve deputies have the opportunity to get paid for off-duty details, such as traffic enforcement and school security, however most of the time they are volunteering without pay and are serving because they simply love the job.

“Some of them are putting in more than 100 hours a month.” Sgt. Platt said. “They do it because they love the job, enjoy training the newer deputies on the road, and feel rewarded giving a helping hand to a good cause. It’s impressive that after decades of service, they still have the drive to serve and protect the community.”