Bonney Lake police officers serve the community by enforcing laws and participating in educational events like National Night Out and water-safety awareness campaigns. Their responsibilities are many and the department is seeking applicants for the reserve officer program to help them fulfill those obligations.

It’s a mutually beneficial opportunity, Sgt. Ryan Boyle said. Reserve officers provide a valued service to the department on a voluntary basis and in turn, they are trained for a career in law enforcement.

“(The reserve program) is for dedicated individuals who want to give back to the community, be part of a team and have an interest in law enforcement careers,” Boyle said. “We train them and prepare them for a future in police work and many times, our reserve officers are hired as full time officers either by us or an outside department.”

Responsibilities include 20 hours a month, either working community events or patrol alongside a full-time officer. Reservists are also able to participate in the Marine Service Unit on Lake Tapps. Reserve officers are able to work solo patrols after 500 hours of shadowing and the police chief’s approval.

Candidates must be 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, have a valid Washington driver’s license, be a U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions and fluently speak, read and write in English.

Successful candidates will receive multiple interviews and advance through the hiring process, which includes a written exam, physical agility test, oral board, exam performed by a doctor, psychological evaluation, polygraph and background investigation.

Applications are available at the department’s website, www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us or in person, 18421 Veterans Memorial Drive. Deadline to apply for the 2014-15 academy, which begins  is June 1.

For more information, please contact Reserve Coordinator Officer Chad Kiblinger by email, kiblingerc@ci.bonney-lake.wa.us or by phone, 253-863-2218.