Bexar COUNTY SHERIFF S RESERVE ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Bexar County Sheriff s Office
TABLE of CONTENTS PREFACE............................................................. 3 PART I: RESERVE BRANCH SIGNIFICANT EVENTS FOR 2017.......... 5 OVERVIEW............................................................. 6 PERSONNEL PROFILES................................................... 6 ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW.......................................... 8 RESERVE BRANCH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE........................ 9 QUARTERLY MEETINGS................................................ 10 SPECIAL EVENTS/OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES..................... 11 PART II: RESERVE BRANCH UNIT PROFILES.......................... 15 ADMINISTRATION SECTION............................................ 15 OJT UNIT....................................................... 15 SUPPORT UNIT.................................................. 16 TRAINING UNIT............................................ 16 OPERATIONAL RESERVE SECTION....................................... 18 JUDICIAL SERVICES UNIT......................................... 18 PATROL UNIT.................................................... 20 SPECIAL SERVICES UNIT..................................... 22 PART III: THE BCSO RESERVE BRANCH IN 2018 AND BEYOND........ 23 1
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PREFACE This report provides an overview of the accomplishments, and the services provided, by the Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve during 2017. Additionally, an overview of the unit and a profile of the personnel assigned to Reserve Branch is also provided. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided is as of December 31, 2017. Capt. Robert L. Martin Commander Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve 3
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Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve February 2017 PART I OVERVIEW / RESERVE BRANCH SIGNIFICANT EVENTS FOR 2017 OVERVIEW The Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve is made up of dedicated volunteers who provide no-cost law enforcement services to the citizens of Bexar County and the Sheriff s Office. Reserve personnel primarily work in the areas of Patrol, Judicial Services, CID, Administration, Jail, and Training, but also perform duties in other areas and for special events as requested. In 2017, Reserve Deputies provided a total of 9,836 hours of service, resulting in a cost savings of $245,900 1 to the Sheriff s Office. The average Reserve Deputy worked an average of 19.5 volunteer hours per month during 2017. 2 Most Deputies work a set schedule in the Reserves, but remain available for call-outs as evidenced by members of the Reserve leadership team recently responding to 1 Based on a cost-multiplier of $25 per hour. This figure has been used for Reserve reporting for at least seven years and we will be exploring an updated cost-savings figure starting in 2018. 2 Regular Reserve Deputies are required to work a minimum of 16 hours per month. 5
a critical incident involving one of their Deputies. Many Deputies also elect to take additional advanced training (not offered by the Reserve Training Unit) on their own time and at their own expense. All law enforcement work and training is done on the Deputy s own time and at little to no-cost to Bexar County. Reserve Deputies provide their own uniforms, personal equipment (vest, flashlight, baton, duty belt, etc.), and in some cases, their own service weapons. The approximate cost for self-equipping a Reserve Deputy with uniforms and necessary equipment is an out-of-pocket expense of at least $500 (not including a ballistic vest or service pistol, if needed). PERSONNEL PROFILE As of December 31, 2017, the Sheriff s Reserve was staffed by 42 regular Reserve Deputies and 6 Support Deputies. The average Bexar County Reserve Deputy has approximately 18 years experience as a Peace Officer and an average of more than 10 years service with the Bexar County Sheriff s Office. The unit s most experienced Reserve Deputy has over 45 years experience as a Peace Officer and our newest Deputy has just over two years law enforcement experience. Many of the Reserve personnel have earned advanced TCOLE certifications with 34 percent of our Deputies holding Master Peace Officer licenses and another 11 percent holding Advanced and Intermediate level certificates. There are five Reserve Deputies certified as Mental Health Officers, four hold Jailer s licenses, two with Telecommunicator licenses, and three are Patrol Rifle certified. Additionally, there are twelve TCOLE-certified instructors and seven firearms instructors in the Reserve unit. 6
Our Reserve personnel come from all walks of life and have varied backgrounds. A recent personnel survey revealed the following information about our Deputies: Sixty-seven percent of the Reserve Deputies have earned college degrees. Forty-eight percent have earned a Bachelor or Associates degree. Nineteen percent have a Masters degree. Nine percent have earned Doctorate degrees. Four Deputies are local business-owners. Eight Deputies are retired Peace Officers. Five are retired from the military. One is a licensed Texas attorney. Two are FAA licensed pilots. One is an FBI National Academy graduate. During 2017, the Reserves gained 19 new Deputies and lost 24 Deputies. Of the added Deputies, eight were assigned to the Support Unit. The losses for 2017 are broken down as follows: Hired Full-Time or Part-Time by Bexar County Sheriff s Office 9 Hired Full-Time by Another Law Enforcement Agency 9 Retired/Longevity Separation 1 Separated - Other 4 A policy change removing previous impediments now allows for retiring or separating Bexar County Deputies to seamlessly transfer to the Reserves. This change contributed to many of the gains during 2017. 7
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW Over the past eleven months, numerous changes have been put in place by the Reserve unit to make our practices and procedures more consistent and efficient. A Reserve policy was finalized and submitted for review and inclusion in the Bexar County Sheriff s Manual. The policy formalizes and clarifies many longstanding practices of the unit as well as proposing several positive changes that would improve the unit s operations. Other changes during 2017 include: Finalization of a comprehensive Administration Guide for Supervisors. Updated format for monthly reports. Revised Profile/Bio form for new Deputies that better captures their skills and qualifications. Updated formats for Reserve Alert rosters, including improved safeguards for protecting personal information. Development of a new monthly activity report form to assist Deputies in capturing all of the time expended on behalf of BCSO. In 2017, the Sheriff s Reserve underwent several organizational changes to be more efficiently deployed and to better align itself with the Sheriff s Office. The Reserve Branch (formerly the Reserve Division ) was divided into two Sections an Administration Section and an Operational Reserve Section. The Operational Reserve is directly supervised by the Reserve Commander and is made up of the Patrol, Judicial Services 3, and Special Services 4 Units. The Administration Section is supervised by the Assistant Reserve Commander and is made up of the Training, Support, and OJT 5 Units. 3 Previously designated as the Warrants Section. 4 Previously designated as the Operational Reserve Section. 5 On-the-Job Training introductory program for all newly appointed Reserve Deputies. 8
CURRENT BCSO RESERVE BRANCH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 9
QUARTERLY MEETINGS The Reserve Branch met its goal of conducting quarterly meetings throughout 2017. The First Quarter meeting was held on February 22, 2017, and was supported by Chief Deputy Tijerina and Deputy Chief Fletcher, who both attended the meeting and spoke to the Reserve Unit. The Second Quarter Meeting was held May 9, 2017. Sheriff Salazar attended the meeting to promote Capt. Martin and recognize former-capt. Steve Salyer s service to BCSO. Sheriff Salazar addressed the Reserve Unit, as did Chief Deputy Tijerina and Deputy Chief Fletcher. Sheriff Salazar and Dep. Salyer The Third Quarter Meeting was for Reserve unit leadership only and was held on September 18, 2017. The Fourth Quarter meetings were delegated to the unit-level and were held throughout December. All meetings, except for the Training Unit meeting, were attended by Capt. Martin and/or Lt. Garcia. 10
SPECIAL EVENTS / OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES The Reserve Branch assisted with several Special Details during 2017. These included: BCSO Explorer Car Show - September 23, 2017. The detail was supervised and coordinated by Lt. Guerra and a total of 15 Deputies worked the event (eight were requested). 11
St. Timothy s Catholic Church Fall Festival - October 8, 2017. This special detail was coordinated and supervised by Sgt. Rada, who was assisted by three additional Reserve Deputies. The event was attended by more than 500 persons and ten hours of coverage was provided. Turkey Giveaway - November 18, 2017. Lt. Guerra coordinated the event, which was worked by Reserve Deputies Adame and Bundara, providing support and assistance to BCSO Community Services. Turkey Giveaway Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway - November 20, 2017. This event was held at Lanier High School. Sgt. Rada supervised the event, which was also worked by Deputies White and Bundera. Approximately 300 Thanksgiving dinner packages were distributed to families in need. The Reserve personnel provided security, community outreach, and assisted Sheriff Salazar with community relations contact with the children who attended. Thanksgiving Dinner Event 12
Other significant events occurring within the Reserves during 2017 included these events: Promotions: Capt. Robert Martin Lt. Alex Garcia Lt. Leonard Guerra Sgt. Carl Montoya Sgt. Jonathan Rada Sgt. John Romero Sgt. Montoya (Judicial Services), Sgt. Rada (Patrol), Lt. Garcia (Administration), Lt. Guerra (Judicial Services), Sgt. Romero (Judicial Services), and Capt. Martin (Commander). Doctoral Degree In December, 2017, Deputy David Hernandez (Judicial Services), received his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Texas- San Antonio. Deputy Hernandez has served in the Sheriff's Reserve since 2010. He is also the Director of Campus Operations at Haven for Hope, which serves people in Bexar County experiencing homelessness. Dep. Hernandez 13
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PART II RESERVE BRANCH UNIT PROFILES COMMAND / ADMINISTRATION The Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve Command team includes the Commander - Capt. Robert L. Martin, Assistant Commander - Lt. Alex Garcia, and Administrative Sergeant - Sgt. Charles Perrington. During 2017, the Command team performed a combined 1,588 hours of service on behalf of Sheriff s Office. Capt. Robert Martin Lt. Alex Garcia Sgt. Charlie Perrington Capt. Martin has been with BCSO since 2011, is a retired FL Sheriff s Office Captain, and has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He holds TCOLE Master Peace Officer and Instructor certifications. Lt. Garcia has been with BCSO since 2013 and has more than 13 years law enforcement experience. He holds a TCOLE Advanced Peace Officer certification. Sgt. Perrington has been with BCSO since 1984, is a retired from the U.S. Air Force, and has more than 34 years law enforcement experience. He holds TCOLE Master Peace Officer and Instructor certifications. ADMINISTRATION SECTION The Administration Section, headed by Lt. Garcia and Sgt. Perrington, oversees the Support, OJT, and Training Units. The OJT and Support Units are directly supervised by Lt. Garcia. OJT Unit The first step for all newly-appointed BCSO Reserve Deputies is completion of OJT. All newly-hired Deputies are required to complete the BCSO Reserve on the job training requirements before starting their permanent assignment. New Deputies first attend an agency orientation class (TCOLE 1999), then, over a three to four month period, rotate through assignments consisting of at least two work-days each at the Courthouse, Booking, and 15
Communications. Upon successful completion of the OJT requirements, Deputies are then transferred to a regular assignment in the Operational Reserve Section. The new Deputies that rotated through the OJT Unit completed 911 duty and training hours in 2017. Support Unit This unit is staffed by highly experienced Peace Officers, most of whom retired from the Bexar County Sheriff s Office. The Support Unit allows the Sheriff s Office to continue to utilize the Deputy s experience and expertise, but requires fewer service hours than regular Reserve Deputies. Support Deputies are required to maintain all TCOLE and BCSO Training requirements. During 2017, Support Deputies performed their duties at the Courthouse, Judicial Services, and in support of Special Events. TRAINING UNIT The Training Unit falls under Lt. Garcia s area of responsibility 6, but functions as a separate unit and is supervised by Sgt. Jason McLendon. In addition to offering all required TCOLE training for each cycle, the unit also offers the career development courses necessary to achieve higher Peace Officer certifications, and also manages the Reserve FTO Program. All classes are offered on weekends to accommodate the schedules of Reserve Deputies. Reserve In-Service and Career Development courses are open to full-time Bexar County Deputies as well as other law enforcement agencies. Overall, in 2017, a total of 233 BCSO personnel were trained for a total of 1,377 hours, with a cost savings of $18,655 to the agency. In addition to annual firearms qualification, and other mandatory training courses, the Training Unit added 6 The Training Unit moved under the Administration Section in January 2018. 16
several new classes including Defensive Tactics, Expandable Baton, OC/Pepper Spray, and Conflict Resolution. Additionally, new regulatory classes (i.e. Interacting with Hearing-Impaired Drivers, Child Safety Check Alert List, etc.) were offered to ensure Deputies fulfill mandatory training requirements. The primary focus for 2018 is ensuring all Deputies meet or exceed the TCOLE and BCSO training requirements, and to engage in a professional development plan to achieve the next licensing level (PO License to Basic, Basic to Intermediate, Intermediate to Advanced, and Advanced to Master PO). Sgt. McLendon Sgt. McLendon has been with BCSO since 2010 and has over twenty-two years of experience in law enforcement at the federal, county, and municipal levels. He holds numerous instructor certifications and licenses, and is a TCOLE Master Peace Officer. Dep. Vitacco Dep. Vitacco came to BCSO in 2017 after retiring as a Sergeant with Alamo Heights PD. He has over twenty-three years of law enforcement experience and holds numerous certifications and licenses, including TCOLE Advanced Instructor and Master Peace Officer. 17
OPERATIONAL RESERVE SECTION JUDICIAL SERVICES UNIT The Judicial Services Unit is commanded by Lt. Leonard Guerra and provides direct support to the regular BCSO Judicial Services Branch. Working dayshifts each Saturday, this unit serves criminal warrants, as well as executing civil process as needed. The average Judicial Services Deputy has 14 years of law enforcement experience and has been with Bexar County an average of 7 years. 18
During 2017, the Judicial Services Unit served 91 arrest warrants and made several additional on-scene arrests, including the recovery a stolen vehicle. The Unit logged a total of 2,656 hours, resulting in cost-savings to the Sheriff s Office of $61,675. Lt. Guerra Lt. Guerra took over the Judicial Services Unit in 2017. He has been with BCSO since 2011 and has over 11 years experience as a Texas Peace Officer. 19
PATROL UNIT The Patrol Unit is Commanded by Lt. Buck Beverley, with East and West Patrol Squads supervised by Sgt. Larry Quintanilla and Sgt. Jon Rada, respectively. Reserve Deputies assigned to Patrol work alongside full-time Deputies as two-person units, assisting with both emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the citizens of Bexar County. Reserve Deputies assigned to Patrol benefit the Sheriff s Office as force multipliers, instantaneous cover officers for potentially violent/dangerous situations, and assist with vehicular crash scenes. These Deputies work in all Patrol Districts and schedule their shifts based upon the needs of the Sheriff s Office. Reserve Patrol Deputies can be seamlessly activated for emergency situations and/or disasters. 20
The average Reserve Patrol Deputy has 15 years of law enforcement experience and has been with Bexar County an average of 7 years. During 2017, Reserve Deputies assigned to Patrol worked 3,170 hours and assisted on 1,970 calls for service. The Patrol Unit contributed a cost-saving of $75,075 to the Bexar County Sheriff s Office. Lt. Beverley Sgt. Quintanilla Sgt. Rada Sgt. Quintanilla supervises East Patrol and started with BCSO in 1972, moving to the Reserves when he retired in 2008. He has over 45 experience and holds a TCOLE Master Peace Officer certification. Lt. Beverley took Command of the Patrol Unit at the end of 2017. He has been with the Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve since 2011 and holds a TCOLE Advanced Peace Officer certification. Sgt. Rada supervises West Patrol and started with BCSO in 2016. He has extensive military and emergency management experience. 21
SPECIAL SERVICES The Reserve Special Services Unit is commanded by Lt. Michael Hodges and provides support to the Courthouse, Jail, Mental Health, and CID. The average Special Services Deputy has 25 years of law enforcement experience and has been with Bexar County an average of 16 years. CID Sex Offender Registry Team During 2017, the Special Services Unit provided the Sheriff s Office with 1,252 hours of service, resulting in a cost-savings of $31,300. Special Services Deputies also assisted CID with 481 sexual offender checks. Lt. Hodges has been with the Bexar County Sheriff s Office since 2008 and has over 32 years of law enforcement experience. He holds a TCOLE Master Peace Officer certification and is an FBI National Academy graduate. Lt. Hodges 22
PART III THE BCSO RESERVE BRANCH IN 2018 AND BEYOND The past year has been one of tremendous change for the Bexar County Sheriff s Reserve Branch. We have seen fluctuations in personnel strength, new leadership, organizational structural changes, and improvements in practices and procedures. The unit has also benefited from increased support and involvement by Sheriff Salazar and his Command Staff as well as other units of the Sheriff s Office. As we move forward in 2018, the Reserve Branch is focusing on increasing our overall staffing, expanding our role in Community Relations events, continued improvements in our Training Unit, and a greater utilization of technology to improve overall operations. The Reserve Branch, as a whole, greatly appreciates the support shown to the unit by the Sheriff s Office and we are looking forward to an expanded role in the organization. 23
For questions or additional information, please contact: Capt. Robert L. Martin Phone: 210-897-9901 Email: robert.martin@bexar.org 24