The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit supplements our full-time staff with staffing special events and doing community relations work, volunteering in the Patrol Division, assisting the Jail Division with staffing the holding cells at Kinnick Stadium, and monitoring inmates in health care settings. Reserve Deputies work alongside full-time staff during times of civil unrest or natural disasters, and are also called upon to assist with area searches, crime scenes, and patrol during winter storms and severe weather. Reserves are primarily unpaid, but there are a variety of paid opportunities, and all training is provided in-house.  Current reserves serve between 8 and 24 hours per month and training and assignments fit around full-time work schedules.

If you’re looking at law enforcement as a profession, serving as a reserve is a great way to explore the vocation in a hands-on way. It's a great way to serve the community while maintaining employment outside of law enforcement, a chance to be part of something bigger than yourself, and an opportunity to experience the amazing camaraderie and culture at  the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Applicants must be in good health with no worse than 20/100 uncorrected vision in both eyes and have normal color vision. They must have a valid drivers license, clean criminal record and driving history. While there is no physical test like there is for full-time deputy recruitment, there will be a short written exam and extensive background investigation.

Learn more and apply now!

If you would like to hire the reserves, please use our Request Sheriff’s Reserves Online form or contact the Sheriff’s Office at 319-356-6020 and leave a voicemail and someone will call you back when they are available.

About The Reserves

Reserve deputies are called upon to provide a wide array of support for the Sheriff’s Office. Traffic control, law enforcement presence at the 4-H Fair, Solon Beef Days, Swisher Fun Days and other county events are just a few examples. Reserve deputies can volunteer their time and work in jail or patrol with a full-time deputy. After completing the required training, reserves are allowed to carry weapons. Reserves are also hired to patrol the Coralville Reservoir during the camping season and may become qualified to work regular patrol shifts in the county. 

Reserve deputies go through a traditional application, testing, and interview process. Once a Reserve is appointed by the Sheriff, the Reserve begins a series of classroom and field training to become a certified Reserve Peace Officer in the State of Iowa. Some uniform items and duty equipment are supplied by the Sheriff’s Office, other items will need to be purchase by the Reserve. The time spent training, attending meetings, and working to support the Sheriff’s Office is volunteer time. 

Reserve Deputies come from all walks of life and maintain day jobs in addition to their role as a Reserve. Some of the reserves join the program to gain law enforcement experience and use the experience as a springboard for full time law enforcement. Other reserves join to be involved in law enforcement or give back to their community without having to change careers.

Reserve Deputy Fee Rates