Uniform Field Reserves

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office maintains a Uniform Field Reserve (UFR) Unit.  These qualified reserve deputy sheriffs are certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to perform peace officer functions while on-duty.  The UFR Unit is comprised of more than 30 reserve deputy sheriff men and women assigned to augment various bureaus throughout the agency. 

The UFR Unit has a command structure that parallels the regular department, which provides the opportunity for reserve deputies to hold ranks including sergeant, lieutenant and captain.  UFRs are not paid for their service and operate strictly on a volunteer basis.  However. the agency does provide all of their assigned gear and equipment at no cost. Some of the UFRs are preparing for a paid career in law enforcement, while others make a career of volunteering their time to the citizens of Fresno County.  Some UFRs have served as unpaid reserve deputies for more than 20 years, while working paid jobs in other professions and industries outside of the law enforcement arena. 

UFRs provide various levels of law enforcement services from the day-to-day duties of a patrol deputy to assisting in major emergencies such as incidents of civil unrest or at the scene of a natural disaster.  They also provide crowd and traffic control services and general security at various community events. UFRs are required to volunteer a minimum of 200 hours per calendar year, as well as attend monthly unit meetings and trainings.  The unit allows both Level I and Level II POST certified reserved into its ranks.  The UFR applicant must undergo the same stringent testing requirements as a full-time deputy sheriff applicant.  This includes an in-depth background investigation and polygraph examination, as well as a medical and psychological examination.  

Qualifications to become a uniform field reserve deputy are:

• 21 years or older at time of academy graduation (Level I and Level II)

• US citizenship 

• High school diploma or GED certificate 

• Valid California driver license at time of appointment 

• Pass qualifications appraisal interview 

• Good physical condition

• Complete medical examination required 

• Pass polygraph examination 

• Hearing must be unimpaired 

• Good moral character. No felony conviction(s) or active restraining orders against the applicant 

• Pass physical capability and psychological tests 

• Complete minimum Module II POST academy or higher