Leeds considers reserve police officer program

Published 2:46 am Friday, August 10, 2012

Leeds Police Chief Byron Jackson asked members of the Leeds City Council to consider approving an ordinance for the police department to implement a reserve police officer program.

Utilizing former and retired law enforcement officers, Jackson hopes to have the opportunity to build a reserve force that will help throughout the year at special events such as football games, the Christmas parade, Creekbank Festival and Leeds Downtown Folk Festival.

“This is something we will implement very slowly,” said Jackson. “We want to bring two to three people on, but the reserve program will not exceed five.”

Inquiries from the council came from councilman Ross Bartee who asked if other cities had a reserve program. Kenneth Washington was concerned about liability for the city and Johnny Kile wanted young Leeds citizens to be able to benefit from the program as well.

Addressing their concerns Jackson told those in attendance at Monday night’s council meeting, other cities were successful with their reserve programs, an officer from Leeds Police Department (LPD) would be in direct supervision of the reserve members and he had no problem bringing on young Leeds citizens after they went through the Jefferson County Academy.

“Being invested in your community means a lot to these kids,” said Kile.

“We welcome people from the community to come in and do it,” Jackson said.

Vetted the same as someone applying to be a regular employee with the LPD, those interested in being in the reserve program would go through psychological testing and receive a polygraph test.

If accepted to the LPD reserve program, these officers would work eight to twelve hours per month on a voluntary basis alongside a regular LPD officer while on duty.

“The people already interested are APost certified police officers and want to keep up their certification,” Jackson said.

APost certification is achieved after completing the Alabama Peace Officers standards and training commission program.

The council approved Chief Jackson to proceed with setting up the LPD reserve police officer program.

In other matters:

—A paving bid was awarded to Dunn Construction to pave partials parts and/or full areas of Charles Barkley Avenue, Farley Avenue, Mountain View Lane and Elouise Street.   Dunn Construction’s bid came in at $154,771, which was the lowest bid. Dunn will start within one week after receiving a signed contract.

—Parks and recreation is holding registration for fall ball and soccer. Applications for Leeds Youth football and cheerleading are still being accepted.

—Voter registration forms are available at the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library.

—Issues regarding the Leeds Senior Center are still impending. Numbers have improved, but the requirement to have 25 participants per day has been increased to 30.

“The City of Leeds is not trying to shut down the senior center,” said Mayor Eric Patterson. “We hope that it survives.”

Echoing that sentiment, David Coyne, added, “The city has gone out of its way to help.”

Providing meals, activities and time for fellowship for Leeds residents ages 60 and over, the Leeds Senior Center welcomes new guests.

Concerned citizen Charles Morris addressed the council saying his daughter inspects senior citizen centers for the state and had a few suggestions on how to increase enrollment numbers.

“If you provide programs the seniors are interested in, then they will show up,” said Morris. “Games, exercise and group activities have helped other areas have very active senior programs.” 

Councilwoman Susan Carswell said, “Please get the word out so our seniors know they can eat and socialize at the center.”