Lemoore police reserves a key component in keeping city and residents safe

By Ed Martin, Editor
Lemoore reserves, L to R, Tabitha Torres, Cleby Santos, Rene Mancinas, Justin Perkins, Tracy Landrus. Missing is Kevin Hall.
Lemoore reserves, L to R, Tabitha Torres, Cleby Santos, Rene Mancinas, Justin Perkins, Tracy Landrus. Missing is Kevin Hall.

Most Lemoore residents will probably agree that the Lemoore Police Department does a good job at keeping the community safe. Preserving the peace is the full-time job of 33 sworn officers and six active reserve officers.

The six reserves have played important roles in keeping the peace. They also have the training to become full-time law-enforcement officers – if they so choose.

Four of the six do intend to become full-time police officers, not unheard of, especially in the local department’s ranks. Lemoore Police Chief Darrel Smith told The Leader that four out of last five officers hired by his department were Lemoore reserves.

Five of the six reserve officers, Tabitha Torres, Cleby Santos, Rene Mancinas, Justin Perkins, and Tracy Landrus, were honored at the city council’s latest meeting by Smith. Lemoore’s sixth officer, Kevin Hall, could not attend the meeting.

Lemoore police reserves a key component in keeping city and residents safe

“The six reserve officers we have are level one full time,” said Smith. “They have full police officers’ powers when they are on duty. The Level One category means they meet all police training criteria. They are technically a full-time police officer while on duty.”

Smith said the typical reserve is required to attend a full-time police academy. “You have to have a very thorough background investigation,” he interjected. “There is no difference between full time and reserve for background checks.”

How often does the typical reserve hit the streets? Smith said his officers might work 20 to 40 hours a month, and their duties revolve around patrol where they typically earn about $23 per hour.

“I’m very proud of the program,” said Smith. “They’re a committed group that provides hundreds of hours of support every year.” 

Smith tries to hire reserves who have some ties to the community.

The longest serving reserve is Tracy Landrus, a former Lemoore High School music teacher and reserve officer since 1985. He started his reserve career in Visalia and then transferred to Lemoore. He left Lemoore High School for a teaching job in Lancaster where, during breaks, he returned to spend his free hours patrolling the streets of Lemoore for the local department.

“He’s multi-talented,” said Smith. “He actually fills in at the local schools when we have an officer in training for the YDO (Youth Development Officer) position.”

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