Police Service with Police Week 2001. Karen Smith finds out what the volunteer officers of the reserves are all about.

For 38 years, Commandant of Bermuda Police Reserves Eugene Vickers has patrolled the streets as a volunteer officer in the battle against crime.

So, he knows, perhaps more than anyone else, what the part-timers are all about, and what they offer to the Island in addition to the regular Force.

About 18 months ago he was promoted to the top rank and is now responsible for the 135 reserves who regularly turn out to help Police the Island.

But, this week, as the Island celebrates the men and women who man Bermuda's thin blue line, he is encouraging more people to join up.

He would eventually like to see his ranks swell to 184 volunteer officers.

"A lot of people might think that reserve policing is all about patrolling the streets and light duties, but I can assure them that they could not be more wrong,'' he said.

"We do everything that regular officers do. We ride in response vehicles with the regulars, we do traffic stops, we have officers attached to the marine section, others attached to the Scenes of Crime department, we do crime patrols and we get involved in various operations.

"Lots of times we are the first on the scene of incidents, and at times our officers will see more action than the regulars.

"The specials are more active and ready to jump to any call that comes in.

But that's the way we like it because we are enthusiastic and interested. It is not just a job to us. We want to be kept busy and we want action.

"Reserves in Bermuda see a lot more action and have more responsibility than part-time officers in many other countries. It is not simply about pounding the streets.'' Commandant Vickers, who now works for Government in the Community Education department and was formerly a postman, said many years ago he had considered joining the regular force.

However, he said in those days things were different and there did not appear to be the same promotion prospects for black officers as white.

However, these days, things were very different, he said, and everyone had equal opportunities to climb the career ladder.

Anyone thinking about a career in the Police, but still a little unsure, could try out the reserves first, he said.

"The reserves is a great stepping stone to the full-time force,'' he said.

"We do everything that the regulars do. We carry the same equipment and have the same powers of arrest. It is a great way for people to see how they suit the job and how the job suits them.'' However, he said many volunteer officers worked regular shifts with the reserves purely because they enjoyed it as something extra to their day job.

"This is the best organisation anyone could ever join if they wanted to give something back to the community,'' added Commandant Vickers, who is the first born Bermudian to make it to the rank of Commandant and the first of colour.

"It is a very people orientated job and a very interesting job. I think we do make a big difference out there.

"We are a great help to the regular service in terms of collecting intelligence, and providing additional manpower.

"Our people take their role as part-time officers very seriously. Some people will put in more than 400 hours in six months. The average across the board is 250 hours in six months.

"And just by looking at the service record of so many of our officers, you can see that people really enjoy it. We have many officers who have done more than 15 years service, some much longer.'' Reserve officer Arvind Sharma joined five years ago, and also encouraged his wife to join the ranks.

The couple, who live in Warwick, are regularly out on patrol around Bermuda.

Mr. Sharma, 33, is a waiter at The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, so he said being in the reserves was something completely different to his day job.

He said: "I was at first based in Hamilton, but was then transferred to traffic, so I have been involved in a lot of different things.

"I have made arrests, been involved in drug busts, attended disturbances and road accidents. Everything from A to Z.

"I like it because it is very active and there are always so many things to be involved in. It is very different to what I do as a waiter, I use different skills.

"We are well respected by both the public and the regular officers. I would encourage people to join. They will love it.'' People who join as volunteer officers must first pass a Police check and a medical.

Applicants can be aged between 19 and 50, and must have a high school education.

In order to qualify for their cash incentive, they must work a minimum of 12-and-a-half hours every month, or 112 hours a year.

The initial training course consists of a 16-week programme, made up of two three-hour sessions every week, held at Police HQ at Prospect. There, reserves are trained in public policing and the use of their equipment by full-time officers at the training school.

When the basic training is completed, they will be sent to one of the divisions to become integral parts of the teams.

For more information about joining the reserves, call Police headquarters on 295-0011, or the reserves on 299-4442.

Commandant Eugene Vickers