Madison County taking applications for reserve deputies

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said it is taking applications for part-time reserve deputies.

Randy Mathenia works as a reserve deputy for the department. He joined the force in 2015. “Had always had an interest in law enforcement,” Mathenia said.

Reserve deputies are certified law enforcement officers. The department said they carry a gun, can make arrests, serve warrants, work special events and patrol with full-time deputies. “It gives us manpower on the street that we wouldn’t have,” Mathenia said.

The sheriff’s office said it currently has 60 reserve deputies and hopes to get 100 total.

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tom Mapes said reserve deputies get paid $1 a year. “To do this, you have to really want to give back to the community and to be involved,” he said.

The sheriff’s office said it provides reserve deputies with the same uniform and equipment as their full-time deputies, but the reserves must purchase their own firearm.

“It just gives us extra manpower and more ability to protect the community, because that’s our main job,” Mapes said.

Mathenia said he wants to make sure there is enough personnel to do the job. “It gives me an opportunity to be out in the public and also it gives me a different viewpoint,” he said.

Applicants must be 21 and have no major arrests or health issues. The sheriff’s office said reserve deputies complete more than 80 hours of POST-certified law enforcement training.

If you’re interested in becoming a reserve deputy, applications can be picked up at the sheriff’s office or downloaded from the department website at www.mcso-tn.org. The department said it wants applications completed and returned by Oct. 30.