JPSO Couldn't Do Our Job If We Didn't Have The Reserves
This article, written by Sheriff Harry Lee, appeared in the April 26, 2004 edition of City Business Magazine.
In 2003, the 75 members of the JPSO Reserve Patrol Division worked more than 31,100 hours at events held in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, including Mardi Gras and other festive parades, athletic events, school and community fairs and public meetings.
By doing this work, the Patrol Division Reserves saved the JPSO more than $560,000. In addition, the Reserves operate the "paddy wagon," a van that picks up East Bank jail inmates and transfers them to the West Bank Correctional Center on a daily basis. Included in the above, the members of the Reserves spend thousands of hours patrolling the four JPSO districts, often in one-man cars. They respond to emergency calls, issued almost 1,400 citations, backed up regular JPSO officers on more than 8,000 cases and were in general of inestimable value.
I have often said that the JPSO could not do the job that we do for Jefferson Parish were it not for our dedicated Reserves. Each of our JPSO divisions has its own reserve unit. The Patrol Division Reserves are the largest group and they do a superlative job every year for the JPSO and the community.
They are led by Deputy Chief Thomas Willmott who has been a Reserve for more than 33 years. At the heart of the Reserves, effort are individuals like Reserve Lieutenant Kevin Dupuis. Many weekends and evenings, Lieutenant Dupuis performs traffic duties in his take-home JPSO car. I know that the people who get traffic tickets from him don't like it very much, but the rest of us should be grateful because every speeder who runs a red light or a stop sign is a traffic tragedy waiting to happen.
Our minimum work requirement for Reserve officers is 24 hours of service each month, but most Reserve officers average 30 to 35 hours of service per month. The Reserves are a diverse group that encompasses a wide range of races, ethnic groups and many different careers. They range in age from late 20s to 70s. I only wish we could attract more women Reserve officers. We have been exceedingly successful in recruiting women into the regular ranks of the JPSO but are in need of more women Reserve officers. If you think that you might enjoy a second career as a JPSO Reserve officer, please call our Personnel Office at 376-2438.
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