APD Looking to Form Reserve Police Force

During Tuesday’s Amarillo City Council meeting, conversations began to assist the Amarillo Police Department, in the form of a reserve police force. 

This group would consist of former APD officers either honorably retired, or discharged, to continue to serve and maintain their ties to the force in a volunteer fashion. 

Bits of the application process includes passing a background check, required attendance to training, and must volunteer for at least 40 hours in a year, or as required by policy. 

APD Chief Martin Birkenfeld spoke about the benefits of having this in place, especially when it comes to mentoring the younger full-time officers in the department. 

With the reception from the council, this plan will move forward and will hopefully be in place by early next year.