Learn how you can become a sheriff's reserve deputy

The Lake County sheriff's office is currently accepting applications for Lake County sheriff's reserve deputies. The reserve deputy unit is composed of members who give back to Lake County, through community service in the area of law enforcement. The unit assists other Lake County sheriff's office divisions as well as municipal police departments in times of natural and man-made emergencies or disasters. The unit also provides traffic and crowd control, searches for missing persons, aids in crime scene evidence searches and DUI checkpoints, and participates in many other Lake County events.

According to Independent Sector, in 2016, the estimated value of volunteer time was $25.95 per hour. In 2016, the Reserve Deputy Unit provided more than 17,220 hours of service to the residents of Lake County, saving taxpayers more than $446,800.

"The Lake County sheriff's reserve deputy unit is staffed with a wonderful group of dedicated men and women who take pride in giving back to our community," Sheriff Mark Curran said. "We are looking for volunteers interested in learning about law enforcement while having the opportunity to serve others."

Interested candidates must be at least 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and a high school graduate (or equivalent). Candidates must be of good moral character, have no criminal record and be in good general health. Most duties performed by a reserve deputy require standing for long periods of time. Illinois state law requires reserve deputies to be residents of the county they serve. Once recruited, reserve deputies must pass the Reserve Deputy Unit Recruit Basic Training Course.

Applications are available at the Lake County sheriff's office, at 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Waukegan, or at the Lake County Sheriff's Reserve Deputy website, www.reservedeputy.com.

All applications are due by Oct. 20.

For more information, contact Sgt. Thomas Struck, at tstruck@lakecountyil.gov.