Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division


"Protecting, Serving and Saving"
With Virginia's Largest Volunteer Reserve Division


“It is the Reserve Division’s unselfish commitment to this community that enables my office to contribute so many valued services at little to no cost to the tax payer”

                                                                 …..Sheriff Harding

“Valued-Services Provided by Our Dedicated Citizen Volunteers“

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office is seeking enthusiastic citizen volunteers to serve the community in an interesting and rewarding role as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. The Reserve Division is made up of forty dedicated volunteers that have met the same basic hiring requirements as full time officers. They pay for their own uniforms and firearm. After extensive state certified training they are sworn in and provide back up support for all Sheriff Office functions.

The Reserve Division provides law enforcement back up and support for all Albemarle County Sheriff's Office functions, including community support activities. This includes court security, going on extraditions, and directly overseeing most of our community programs. Sheriff Harding tries to keep this volunteer division at 50 officers. These trained and sworn deputies contribute time to courtroom security each month and they assist in overseeing/staffing a number of initiatives including the Search and Rescue Unit, Project Lifesaver (provides locator bracelets to children with autism and seniors with Alzheimer’s), Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and Senior TRIAD (crime prevention/safety initiatives for seniors). In addition to the traditional law enforcement support, the Reserve Division assists the local Game Wardens, provides security at charitable events and support in disaster relief. Our deputies are also trained to respond to acts of terrorism.
  • In 2008 over 700 hours were contributed in the search for Earl Funk on Cedar Mountain.
  • In September 2003 during hurricane Isabel, the Reserve Division provided over 260 man-hours assisting the residents of our community. During the four-day period, these volunteers delivered food and water to stranded families, provided security at emergency evacuation centers and manned the hurricane emergency call center.
  • The Sheriff and the Reserves assist Scottsville and Crozet with their fourth of July Parades providing traffic control at no charge
The Reserve Division not only provides a much-needed service to our community, but also saves the taxpayers of Albemarle County over $60,000 annually in the process.

The Reserve Division is...
  • A volunteer organization of dedicated and trained citizens who support and assist the operations and duties of the Sheriff's Office.
  • An opportunity to be trained for and to engage in law enforcement on a professional basis.
  • An opportunity to serve your community by assisting in providing needed and important law enforcement services.
  • An opportunity to consider law enforcement work as a career.
  • An opportunity for those persons who are interested in law enforcement work but not as a career.
  • To learn more about any of our programs, join the Reserves or become a non-sworn volunteer assisting directly with a program visit our web site, send me an e-mail or give me a call. Our programs are funded through private contributions and your financial assistance is welcome. Please Contact Sheriff “Chip” Harding
  • To invigorate your spirit of adventure or obtain additional information about this opportunity, please contact the Sheriff’s Office through the “Contact Us” section of this website.
What Reserve Deputies do Reserve Deputy Requirements
  • Court security assistance
  • Prisoner transportation assistance
  • Civil process
  • Official presence at special events
  • Child identification program technician
  • Crime prevention and community relations support
  • Administrative and support functions as needed
  • Traffic direction
  • Game Enforcement
  • Crowd control assistance
  • Search and Rescue
  • Project Lifesaver
  • Senior TRIAD Safety Initiatives
  • ICAC Task Force
  • At least 21 years of age
  • Meet the same standards as if applying for a full-time paid deputy position.
  • H.S. Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Valid driver’s license
  • No criminal record
  • Good character
  • Good health
  • Citizen of the United States



Sheriff
J. E. "Chip" Harding

Albemarle Sheriff's Office
411 E. High Street Bldg B
Charlottesville, Va 22902
(434)972-4001