Welcome

Explorers

Sheriff’s Explorer Scout Program educates and mentors the youth while providing an in-depth firsthand experience in law enforcement. Intended to interest our young in possible law enforcement careers while building mutual understanding and establishing an awareness of the complexities of law enforcement services through involvement. This program is intended for ages 14 through 20. Additionally, this program serves as a potential recruitment tool for future men and women in law enforcement while fostering better relations between the sheriff’s department, the youth and the community as a whole. The program is a service group within the community and will be used as supplemental manpower to the sheriff’s department. The program is designed to develop character, leadership skills, an appreciation for community services as well as good citizenry.

Membership in the Sheriff’s Explorer Program is open to young men and women who meet the following requirements:

• Age 14 through age 20
• A legal resident of the U.S.
• Have parental approval which includes signatures by the explorer and their parents or
• guardians on a general liability release form (under 18)
• Enrolled or graduated from High School
• Be of good health
• Be of good moral habits / character with no arrest or conviction record
• Have a 2.0 grade point average (“C” Average) or better in school work
• No pending misdemeanor or felony court cases

Monthly Requirements and Special Training

• Monthly business meeting
• Donate minimum of 8 hours per month
• Successful completion of Explorer Academy within one year of appointment
• Hold and maintain current CPR and First Aid Certification
• Meet the Explorer Scout minimum in attendance and participation
• Maintain a 2.0 grade point average (“C” Average) or better in school work
• Traffic control
• Aviation related duties
• Clerical work
• ATV schooling
• Crowd control

If you'd like to Volunteer, for any of these positions, please fill out the required application: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/VolunteerPreliminaryApplication.pdf

and then email the completed form to volforces@sbcsd.org or you can take the completed application to your local station and drop it off.

Citizens on Patrol 

Citizen Volunteers are utilized throughout the county to assist the Sheriff's Department meet law enforcement objectives during the normal course of operation as well as times of disasters/emergencies. The program encourages the community to support and understand law enforcement better through involvement. Volunteering can be in may ways: Citizen on Patrol, Equestrian on Patrol, and there are also many administrative and specialized positions to volunteer in as well as support functions.

However, someone volunteering must meet the following conditions:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a legal U.S. resident
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D.
• Pass an oral interview
• Pass a background investigation

And must be willing to obtain and do the following:

• Monthly business meeting
• Minimum one monthly training session (mandatory attendance at training)
• Donate a minimum of 8 hours per month (averaged quarterly)
• Maintain current First Aid and CPR certification
• Attend the Citizen Volunteer Academy training course

If you'd like to Volunteer, for any of these positions, please fill out the required application: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/VolunteerPreliminaryApplication.pdf

and then email the completed form to volforces@sbcsd.org or you can take the completed application to your local station and drop it off.

Chaplain Corp

Comprised of pastors, priests, and other religious leaders from throughout the county who volunteer their time to support the men and women working in the Sheriff’s Department as well as assist deputies on patrol with calming distraught family members. Their training and experience in handling emotional situations also allows them to be a great shoulder for community members to cry on when needed. 

If you'd like to Volunteer, for any of these positions, please fill out the required application: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/VolunteerPreliminaryApplication.pdf

and then email the completed form to volforces@sbcsd.org or you can take the completed application to your local station and drop it off.

Search and Rescue

San Bernardino is the largest county within the United States and spans 20,105 square miles. It encompasses vast deserts, mountain ranges, urban cities, many lakes and the Colorado River. People from across the world can be found throughout the year hiking, rock climbing, and participating in water and snow sports. Our Search and Rescue volunteers save many lives each year in every type of environment imaginable. Their primary mission is to search and rescue persons on behalf of the Sheriff of San Bernardino County.  However, sometimes our Search and Rescue volunteers are called upon for additional missions, which may include evidence searches and other various assignments at the direction of the Department.

All persons applying for the position of a search and rescue citizen volunteer must complete the Department application process. In addition, they must meet the following entry level requirements:

•  No felony convictions
•  No pending misdemeanor of felony court cases
•  In compliance with the Department tattoo policy
•  Eighteen + years of age
•  Legal resident of the United States
•  Possess a high school diploma or GED
•  Possess a valid driver’s license

Application Process

• Submit an application by email or print-out and bring to a meeting
• Attend 3 business meetings within 5 months (email SAR@sbcsd.org for a list of dates, times and locations)
•  Oral interview with Department personnel
•  Complete a formal application process
•  Agree to attend and complete the department’s Basic Search and Rescue academy within twelve
• months of appointment as a volunteer.
•  Agree to meet and maintain compliance with Department policy and procedure.
• (Including grooming, tattoos, brands, body art and social media

1st Year Training Requirements

• New S&R members shall accomplish the following to obtain regular membership within one calendar year of their appointment to the Department:
• Complete the Department’s Basic Search & Rescue Academy (Available Biannually)
•  Attend the unit’s monthly meetings and training
•  Respond to search and rescue callouts
•  Department Driver’s Awareness Certification
•  Acquire and maintain all required uniforms and equipment (24-hour pack)
•  Track and submit personal monthly statistics
•  Demonstrate knowledge & proficiency of unit and station protocol/procedure

Membership Requirements:

•  Attend a minimum of 60% of the annual unit monthly meetings and trainings
•  Respond to a minimum of 20% of the annual search and rescue callouts
•  Annually demonstrate and pass a S&R skills proficiency practical test
•  Maintain required uniforms and equipment (24-Hour Pack)
•  Maintain driver’s license and insurance
•  Track and submit personal monthly statistics

If you'd like to Volunteer, for any of these positions, please fill out the required application: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/VolunteerPreliminaryApplication.pdf

and then email the completed form to volforces@sbcsd.org or you can take the completed application to your local station and drop it off.

Reserve Deputy Sheriff

Reserve Deputy Sheriff's supplement law enforcement functions at the division level. While on duty they are regarded by the department and the community, as equal in authority as a regular deputy and have the same responsibility. Because of this Reserve Deputy Sheriff's are required to meet the same expectations.

All persons applying for the position of a Reserve Deputy Sheriff must complete the department-authorized application process.  In addition, they must meet the following entry level requirements:

• No felony convictions
• No pending misdemeanor or felony court cases
• In compliance with the department tattoo policy
• At least twenty-one years of age
• A legal resident of the United States
• Posses a high school diploma or GED
• Posses a valid driver’s license
• Possess a Basic, level I or Level II POST certificate

Membership Requirements

• 24-hour call-out status
• Monthly business meeting
• Maintain current first aid and CPR certification
• 192 volunteer hours annually (64 hours per trimester)
• Minimum of 24-hours of P.O.S.T. approved training every two years

Current Reserve CCW Application Process

All current Sheriff’s Reserves may apply for a CCW permit through DOJ. All CCW applications must be submitted in person. Please contact Sheriff’s Volunteer Forces at (909)387-0641 to schedule an appointment to submit your completed application. 

DOJ CCW Application

Retired Reserve CCW Application Process

Qualified retired San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department level I Reserve Deputy Sheriffs may receive a retired department identification card endorsed for the carrying of concealed and loaded firearms (CCW). Retired or retiring Reserves interested in applying should contact Sheriff’s Volunteer Forces at (909)387-0641to schedule an appointment to submit the completed application.

Retired Reserve Deputy Sheriffs must meet the following

• Minimum of 10 years Department service as a Level I Reserve Deputy Sheriff
• Applies to past-retired and retiring Reserves
• Also includes those who qualified with 10 years as a Level I and later changed their status to a Level
• II, III or Citizen Volunteer
• Honorably retired as a member in good standing in accordance with department and POST
• standards
• No disqualifying state, federal and civil firearm convictions or prohibitions
• Complete the department Retired Reserve Deputy Sheriff CCW Application
• Complete and pass the department CCW firearms qualification

Retired Reserve CCW Application

Retired Reserve Annual Firearms Qualification

Retired Reserve Annual Firearms Qualification Form

• All retired reserves are required to qualify annually with their firearms
• This form must be provided to the range master for completion and forwarded to Volunteer Forces
• upon successful qualification
• The form must be used for all annual qualifications regardless of where the range is located
• We will only accept qualifications that occur at a law enforcement range
• Failure to qualify annually will result in the revocation of a CCW endorsed ID card

Inquiries are always welcome please contact us by calling Volunteer Forces at 909-387-0641 or email us SAR@sbcsd.org