More than a month into his tenure as Tulsa County sheriff, Vic Regalado says the reserve deputy program is close to its return and the transition in the office has gone as he expected, so far.
Regalado estimates close to 70 reserve deputies currently sitting on the sidelines following the program's suspension amid the Eric Harris shooting are preparing to rejoin the program.
Among those, approximately nine of them are the closest to returning. Regalado says the group just needs to complete some doctor and fitness appointments, as well some CLEET requirements.
"They provide a valuable service in different areas of the sheriff's office, whether it's patrol, courthouse security, at the jail. So they're a valuable resource and we can't wait to have them back," he said.
When they return, they'll be held to higher standards and the same ones sworn deputies must complete.
Those include 240 hours of CLEET training, 480 hours of field training and 40 hours of patrol training. Additionally, they have to complete a fit-for-duty assessment, as well as doctor appointments.
Also different this time around, Regalado says his reserve deputies won't be working task forces, SWAT or be allowed to patrol by themselves.
As for folks ready to volunteer and join the program, TCSO will not be accepting applications until the program is reinstated and any issues are corrected.
After more than a month in office, Regalado says the workload has required 12 to 14 hour days.
He says, as he has in the past, that there are good men and women working in the office, but he also reiterates the need for change.
"There's a lot of things that need attention, but we've been biting off one thing at a time. Everything from reviewing and revamping policies and procedures to ensuring that our property room is running the way it should be, training programs, you name it," the sheriff said.
As far as next month's primary is concerned, Regalado says that's on the back burner for now and reminds voters they elected him in primary and general elections already this year.
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