SAN ANTONIO -- Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and local pastors from the faith-based community came together Friday to announce a new program that allows reserve deputies to provide security at local churches free of charge.
- Salazar created program in response to Sutherland Springs
- The unit is a group of volunteer citizens/deputies
- Volunteers perform a minimum of 16 duty hours per month
With the tragedy of Sutherland Springs occurring over a year ago, Salazar created the program to provide churches in Bexar County uniformed presence in an effort to provide a safe environment and to deter criminal activity for churches throughout Bexar County.
"You go to church to do one thing: to hear the word of God. We want them to be able to concentrate on the reason they are there: to worship," Salazar said.
Reserve deputies wishing to maintain their TCOLE Peace Officers license will have the option to either volunteer their time with the reserves in School Resource Program or through the Reserve Deputy Church Security Program.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Reserve Unit is a group of dedicated citizen/deputies that provide support to the law enforcement and detention bureaus for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
"People should feel safe when they go to church. For the sheriff's office to provide this service, I think it is going to be incredible. I think it is going to be a huge blessing," said Josue Tapia, coordinator for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office chaplains.
For peace officers who currently have a primary career other than in law enforcement, the Sheriff's Reserve Unit provides an opportunity for community service through volunteering their time to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
All reserve deputies are volunteers that must perform a minimum of 16 duty hours per month in support of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. To qualify to work paid assignments, extra volunteer work hours may be required.
Those wishing to join the BCSO Reserve Unit can apply by emailing score@bexar.org.