Meet the TCPD's Backup: The Reserves

Would you know a reserve officer with the Traverse City Police Department if you saw one? Not unless you looked closely.

The uniform is the same and the police badge very similar. Just the rocker over the right shoulder bears the title “Reservist.” They ride along in police vehicles, work detail and carry a pistol.

Working in tandem with the 29 sworn officers of the TCPD is a force of reserves – a unit of near identical size with some members who bring decades of experience. Who are some of these current reservists? A local banker, a metalworker, an electrician, a schoolteacher and the Peninsula Township fire chief – and current captain – Richard VanderMey, who has put in 30-plus years of service.

While these volunteers do it out of a sense of civic duty, the other reservists are doing it for the real-world experience.

“The unit is designed to support and enhance the force of sworn officers,” says Administrative Sergeant Steve Drzewiecki, and is primarily a training ground for people looking to get into law enforcement. Currently seven TC police officers were once reserves in the department.

The reservists don’t have arrest powers on their own, but in the presence of a sworn officer that power is generated, says Drzewiecki. “And if in danger, they can draw their weapon and use the same level of force as sworn officers.” Drzewiecki has run the Police Reserves Program since his appointment to administrative sergeant a year ago.

However, the department formed its first reserve unit 30 years ago – under the direction of current Chief Michael Warren, then a sergeant with the force. In total, 125 people have graduated from the program’s training academy, which is offered every two or three years when numbers drop due to officers landing fulltime jobs or otherwise leaving, Drzewiecki explains.

Drzewiecki himself was once a reserve with the department in the late 1980s.

“They are utilized tremendously working detail during the National Cherry Festival (approximately 400 hours) and also provide support at school sporting functions, helping the designated liaison officer,” says Drzewiecki. All told they provide anywhere from 1,600 and 2,400 volunteer hours annually.

Who can apply? Just about anyone. The requirements: 18 years of age, U.S. citizen, no criminal record and a good driving record. Applicants are subject to a screening/ interview process and psychological evaluation. The training academy includes 120 hours of training, during which they learn everything a sworn officer goes through, says Drzewiecki, from firearms and defense tactics to building searches and high-risk stops.

The current class of 14 started in January and is slated to graduate early next month and join the existing force of 14. (There is a one-year probation period before they can apply for their concealed pistol license and continue to attend monthly trainings.)

The TCPD Reserve Unit is capped at 30 and Drzewiecki says it is “unusual” among police reserve units to consistently have such strong interest. He says “word is out” about how well the reserves are utilized and the quality of the training.

Sound like something you may want to do? You will have to wait to apply until the next academy starts in another two or three years.