POLICE RESERVE FORCE

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 2, ch. 2-32

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-1 Designation, membership and employee status.

Sec. 2-32-1. - Designation, membership and employee status. This auxiliary police force shall be designated as the "Memphis Police Reserve" and shall be composed of voluntary membership not to exceed 300 members; such members shall be headed by the director of police of the city, hereinafter designated as the "director." They shall be part-time employees of the city police services division and shall be included in any life or health insurance or other such fringe benefits provided for employees of the city, if they so desire, but shall not be included under the civil service or retirement system of the city. (Code 1967, § 30-36; Code 1985, § 28-56; Ord. No. 270, § I, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 486, § 1, 6-17-1969)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-2 Diminishing or increasing the force.

Sec. 2-32-2. - Diminishing or increasing the force. The director may by order diminish or expand the membership of the police reserve, as may in his or her judgment be required, within the limit established in section 2-32-1. (Code 1967, § 30-37; Code 1985, § 28-57; Ord. No. 270, § VII, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-3 Director of police to have control.

Sec. 2-32-3. - Director of police to have control. The director shall have complete authority, control and command over the police reserve, subject to the provisions of this chapter. He or she may appoint as members thereof any person he or she may consider qualified and may reject any application for membership. He or she shall provide for the training of candidates for membership and for the further training of members. (Code 1967, § 30-38; Code 1985, § 28-58; Ord. No. 270, § II, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-4 Method of appointment and qualifications of members.

Sec. 2-32-4. - Method of appointment and qualifications of members. A. No person shall be considered a member of the police reserve until he or she has been duly appointed by the director, registered on a roster kept by the director, and until he or she has taken the oath provided for officers of the police services division and provided by the city with the bond provided for by law. B. Persons eligible for membership shall be not less than 21 years nor more than 45 years of age and shall be citizens of the United States, residents of Shelby County, Tennessee, and of excellent character and reputation. They shall be in excellent physical condition, mentally stable, and suffer from no ailment or disability which would limit or prevent engaging in strenuous exercise or the use of firearms. Restrictions and regulations as to age and physical condition may be waived only in the discretion of the director in those cases involving special qualification, abilities and aptitude in the best interest of the police services division. Persons eligible for this program shall be reviewed by internal audit annually and persons eligible shall require documentation of the number of duty hours worked annually. (Code 1967, § 30-39; Code 1985, § 28-59; Ord. No. 270, § III, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 486, § 2, 6-17-1969; Ord. No. 5760, § 1, 9-1-2020)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-5 Removal from membership; resignation.

Sec. 2-32-5. - Removal from membership; resignation. Membership of any person may be terminated at the will and pleasure of the director. Any member may resign from the police reserve at any time, but it shall be his or her duty to notify the director of his or her resignation. (Code 1967, § 30-40; Code 1985, § 28-60; Ord. No. 270, § VI, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-6 Summary dismissal of members; publication.

Sec. 2-32-6. - Summary dismissal of members; publication. In addition to the penalties provided by law, any violation of law under color of the performance of his or her duties as a member of the police reserve, and any breach of the rules and regulations established by the director shall subject any member to summary dismissal, and the fact thereof may be published at the order of the director. (Code 1967, § 30-41; Code 1985, § 28-61; Ord. No. 270, § IX, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-7 Uniform, badges and insignia designated by director; illegal wearing or use thereof.

Sec. 2-32-7. - Uniform, badges and insignia designated by director; illegal wearing or use thereof. The director shall prescribe the uniforms, badges and insignia for members of the police reserve and the manner in which the same shall be worn. Members shall themselves furnish at no expense to the city, uniforms and equipment. It shall be a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in section 1-24-1, for anyone not a member in good standing of such force to wear or use the uniforms, badge or insignia so prescribed. (Code 1967, § 30-42; Code 1985, § 28-62; Ord. No. 270, § XI, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-8 Identification cards.

Sec. 2-32-8. - Identification cards. An identification card and such other insignia or evidence of identity as the director may prescribe shall be issued to each member who must carry such identification at all times while on duty, and he or she must surrender them upon the termination of his or her membership. (Code 1967, § 30-43; Code 1985, § 28-63; Ord. No. 270, § V, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-9 Duties.

Sec. 2-32-9. - Duties. The duties of the police reserve, subject at all times to the direction, supervision and control of the director, shall be to assist the regular members of the police services division in enforcement of the law and maintenance of peace and order at such times provided for and designated by the director. The director shall establish rules and regulations to govern the police reserve, to fix the specific duties of its members and provide for the maintenance of discipline. The director may change such orders from time to time, provided no member shall in any manner perform any act as a member of the police reserve unless he or she is specifically designated for duty as such member at the time. The director may prescribe other duties than those mentioned herein to be performed by the police reserve, not inconsistent with the provisions hereof. (Code 1967, § 30-44; Code 1985, § 28-64; Ord. No. 270, § IV, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-10 Power and authority of members.

Sec. 2-32-10. - Power and authority of members. A. Carrying firearms. Members of the police reserve shall be authorized, while on official duty as members of such reserve, to carry firearms in accordance with the provisions of T.C.A. § 39-6-1702, and as prescribed by the rules and regulations as set forth by the director of the police services division. B. Powers of arrest. Members of the police reserve, while on or off duty as members thereof, shall have the same arrest powers enjoyed by regular officers, while on or off duty, of the police services division. (Code 1967, § 30-45; Code 1985, § 28-65; Ord. No. 270, § VIII, 9-3-1968; Ord. No. 486, § 3, 6-17-1969; Ord. No. 1617, § 1, 1-30-1973)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-11 False personation.

Sec. 2-32-11. - False personation. It shall be a misdemeanor, punishable in section 1-24-1, for any person to wear, carry or display a police reserve identification card, or otherwise deceitfully represent himself or herself to be a member of or connected with the police reserve, unless he or she is in fact a member thereof in good standing. (Code 1967, § 30-46; Code 1985, § 28-66; Ord. No. 270, § X, 9-3-1968)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-32-12 Compensation.

Sec. 2-32-12. - Compensation. Where not fixed by statute, ordinance or resolution of the city council, the compensation, salary or wages of members of the police reserve are to be fixed at the rate of $1.00 per year. (Code 1967, § 30-47; Code 1985, § 28-67; Ord. No. 486, § 4, 6-17-1969)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2AD_CH2-32POREFOFetched: 10/28/2026