The Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office’s volunteer reserve division became the largest in the state Monday when a new graduating class of 13 officers brought the group’s total membership to 50.
Reserve officers are sworn and carry guns but do relatively low-level tasks, such as manning the metal detectors in front of county courtrooms, directing traffic for parades and helping transport prisoners. They’re usually within sight of a paid officer, Sheriff J.E. “Chip” Harding said.
The reserve officers volunteer their time and pay for their own uniforms, pistols and practice ammunition, he said. That usually comes to more than $1,000, according to Harding.
“I just thought it’d be a good way to give back to the community,” said Leo Losciuto, who was sworn in as a reserve officer Monday night.
The 10-year Navy veteran said that he thought the members of the program that he met were upstanding people. Many are former military personnel or law enforcement officers, while others get involved before going on to join the office full-time, Harding said.
Kenneth C. Boyd, a member of the Albe-marle Coun-ty Board of Supervisors, attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Elks’ Charlottesville Lodge 389.
He told the new officers they should be proud of the service they provide as well as the money they save taxpayers.
“That means an awful lot to me and it should mean an awful lot to all the people in this county,” he said.
Harding said the reserve officers provide thousands of hours of work each year, including time spent on search and rescue.
They also help with the Sheriff’s Office’s outreach courses, which include hunter safety, “Eddie Eagle” gun safety programs for elementary school children and a senior outreach program.
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