By Brooke Hammond, MCP Intern
LUDINGTON —The Mason County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit is a group of individuals who volunteer to serve their community alongside local law enforcement.
According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office website the MCSO Reserve Unit began in 1954 under Sheriff Ed Anderson. Originally the group was responsible for the rescue truck that housed vehicle extrication equipment, often known as the Jaws of Life.
“It was the only one in Mason County that had the Jaws of Life,” said Reserve Dep. Donna Nickleson. “Whoever could show up, took the rescue truck out, whether that was the Jaws of Life or for traffic control.”
The role of the MCSO Reserve Unit has changed. Area fire departments now carry the extrication equipment. However, the MCSO Reserve Unit still assists the local law enforcement in many ways.
“We assist wherever we are needed, said Reserve Dep. Kevin Mead. “We escorted all the wind turbines when that was being done.” Mead was referring to the large wind turbine parts that were transported across Lake Michigan from Wisconsin on the SS Badger.
The main purpose of the MCSO Reserves is to fill security roles at local events, to help ease the load off the local sheriff office and police departments. “Mainly, we do events like the fair, the (West Shore Bank) Rhythm at the Dunes (concerts), Gus Macker (three-on-three basketball tournament), Lakestride (running events), Haunted Prison (fire department fundraiser), and Family Affair,” said Mead.
“The reserves are a supplement to our agency,” Sheriff Kim Cole said. “They offer support to our jail staff, our dive team, and to drone program.”
The volunteer time commitment of the reserve deputies has saved taxpayers thousands of dollars.
“I can recall several years ago we had a double fatal plane crash,” Cole said. “We had to wait for the FAA to arrive to investigate. Our reserves sat at that scene for three days. That is something that would have strapped us if we had to pay our full time deputies.”
Cole started his law enforcement career as a reserve deputy.
“I was a reserve deputy for about five months before I was hired,” Cole said. “That was in 1985. Back then the reserves’ primary responsibility was operating the Jaws of Life.”
There are currently six members in uniform with the MCSO Reserve Unit; however, the group is hoping to increase the number of members.
The sheriff said he would like to see 20 to 25 active volunteers.
“I would like to see people wanting to give back to a community that gave so much to them,” said Sheriff Cole, adding that they average reservist volunteers between 100 to 150 hours a year.
“We also understand that they have jobs that pay their bills and that they have families.”
According to Mead and Nickleson, individuals wishing to apply should have a high school diploma or a GED. Applicants should also be prepared to have a background check performed as well as a physical and psychological evaluation. An interview may follow these proceedings.
Volunteers accepted into the program will train for about a year.
“They have to go through a lot of the same training our full time deputies do,” Sheriff Cole said. “They receive firearms training, crime scene preservation training, patrol tactics and jail operations. They go through this training so they can do these things effectively and safely. It is not a social club where the guys and gals can come in and do fun things.”
Once the training is completed the individual will receive equipment from the MCSO Reserve Unit.
“I think one of the great things right now is that we [the reserves] provide the equipment,” said Mead.
Volunteers will be expected to do 50 hours of work per year.
“Most of us work, your family and your job come first,” said Nickleson.
Community service is the driving goal of the MCSO reserve deputies.
“It was important to me to serve my community to the best of my ability,” said Reserve Dep. Mike Roberson. “If you are serving the community, then the community benefits and so does the individual.”
Sheriff Cole also expressed his appreciation for the role the MSCO Reserve Unit plays within the community. “I appreciate, as the sheriff, what they (MSCO reserve deputies) do. We could not function on the level that we do without them.”
Members also stated being part of the reserves has helped them experience opportunities and events they may have never tried before.
“I only moved to the area eight years ago and I did not know anyone in my community. This has allowed me to invest in my community,” said Reserve Dep. Scott Biggs.
Those wishing to apply for the MSCO Reserve Unit can pick up an application form from the Mason County Jail at 302 North Delia Street in Ludington, Michigan.
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This post is presented by Legacy Wheelz, located at 415 S. James St., Ludington
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