About Us

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs volunteer their time to help patrol Whitman County, respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, work community outreach programs, and provide an increased service level for all the citizen of Whitman County.

The Reserve Association currently has 10 active members. The members patrol Whitman County; provide security at the Whitman County Fairgrounds; have a presence at the St. John Sprint boat races; work traffic control at various bike and road races; patrol the Snake River; provide transports of juvenile offenders from Whitman County to the juvenile facility in Spokane, WA; stand-by with inmates if they are required to be hospitalized; provide assistance with investigations at major crime scenes.



In 2011 the Whitman County Sheriff's Office handled 3463 calls for service and deputy initiated calls. Reserve Deputies were primary and responsible for the completion of 461 of the cases (13.3% of the total cases). Reserve Deputies assisted the primary deputy on another 772 cases (22.3% of the total cases). More than 1/3 of all Sheriff's Office cases had Reserve Deputy involvement.

The purpose of the Association is to provide a reserve force to the Whitman County Sheriff in furtherance of his lawful duties. To accomplish this, the Association shall endeavor to: Enhance professional development, provide training, and improve coordination and communication in the law enforcement community.

To train, uniform, and equip each Reserve there is a three-way partnership between the Sheriff, the Reserve, and the Association. The Reserve is responsible for purchasing personal equipment. The Sheriff purchases uniforms, ballistic vests, and provides the training and vehicles. The Association helps to provide needed equipment which is shared among all the reserves.

Equipment that the Association purchases helps the Reserves be more productive, safer, and provide better service to the people of Whitman County. Equipment purchased by the Association is usually limited in scope to law enforcement needs and can be cost prohibitive for each Reserve to purchase on his own.

The Association works to raise funds to maintain equipment already purchased and to buy new equipment.