Harriman Police Reserve Officers are offered unique opportunities for both volunteer service or preparing for policing as a profession. If you are considering a career in law enforcement, this combination of training and experience can be invaluable in achieving those goals. If you are established in another career with no plans to become a police officer, you will receive the satisfaction of positively contributing to the safety and security of your community.

The HPD Reserve Unit provides additional sworn police resources to augment and support HPD and the community. The Unit supplements regular officers on patrol and helps with community events. Reserve officers are also subject to callout during emergencies or in the aftermath of a major crime. Reserve Officers are volunteers who receive no monetary compensation for their service. In order to maintain their active reserve status, HPD Reserve Officers must consistently volunteer at least 16 hours of service in patrol, training or special events each month.
HPD Reserve Officers embody the service ethic and give thousands of hours to their community each year. Experienced Reserve Officers, who complete the Reserve training program, are permitted to patrol with full-time officers while supporting the Department's mission and providing more resources to serve our citizens and combat crime.

HPD provides Reserve Officers with some of their equipment and all the required training at no charge. Reserve Officers receive a range of ongoing training including firearms, defensive tactics, legal updates, emergency vehicle operations, and dealing with stressful situations.

The Harriman Police Department founded Law Enforcement Explorer Post 920 in honor of Matt Rittenhouse. Our explorer program endeavors to teach young people the importance of personal responsibility, while developing their leadership abilities. Law Enforcement exploring began when the Boy Scouts of America and representatives of the criminal justice community established the first post in 1962. Since inception, law enforcement exploring has help tens of thousands of adolescents grow into productive members of society.

The law enforcement explorer program offers young people a variety of hands-on, career-oriented activities that provide the explorers with a unique insight in the workings of the Police Department, while also providing service to the community. For young men and women who are interested in a career in the field of law enforcement, exploring offers experiential learning combined with lots of fun-filled, hands-on activities that promote personal growth and development.

Once our explorers complete explorer training and finished their probationary period, they can take part in any of the activities that the post offers. Our explores take part in many public service programs, including child fingerprinting during local events, assisting with traffic and crowd control at parades and many other duties.

Our explorer program is available to young people of good moral character who have completed eight grade and are at least 14 years old. Once accepted into the program, explorers must maintain a minimum C grade point average to continue as an active member of the post. Explorers who maintain an active affiliation with the post may apply to become post advisor when they reach 21 years of age.

We do not accept anyone into the program who has discipline problems as a way to correct bad behavior. This program is designed for youth with high moral standards.
The acceptance process includes successfully completing a written application, and passing an oral interview, a background investigation. Courses of study include community relations, criminal law, firearm safety, police procedures, and weaponless self-defense. Explorer trainees are also required to participate in drills and physical training while attending training.

For more information about becoming a Harriman Police Department Explorer, please contact Karen Joseph at 865-882-3383, or Email kjoseph@harrimanpolice.com