VIDEO: Becoming A Reserve Police Officer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Law enforcement agencies often find their manpower stretched thin. That’s when many of them call on their reserves.

A reserve police officer does the same tasks as a full-time officer, the only difference is most of their work is done voluntarily.

On Monday, Columbus saw six individuals join those ranks including Antjuan Jethrow.

“It’s a calling, only people made for this will come out and volunteer for it,” Jethrow expressed.

Being a reserve officer is something Jethrow takes pride in. He said being a law enforcement officer runs in his family and becoming a full time officer is something he’s always wanted to do..

“I’ve always been somewhat a part of the Columbus Police Department,” he said. “In 2015 I was with the police explorer program, then I moved from there and went to the jail where I’m currently still at as a supervisor.”

Now that he’s graduated from the officer reserving training program, Jethrow took another step towards accomplishing his goal.

The six graduates spent three months in the program.

“I’m kind of excited, I’ve been going through this for a while now,” Jethrow explained. “We went through a lot of PT tests which is a lot of running and push-ups, jumping-jacks, stuff like that. We did an active shooter training, a lot of firearms training, a lot of book work, and learning a lot about the law and stuff.”

“You have to have a passion for it, it’s not all about getting out there trying to find drugs, it’s to protect and serve,” said Elizabeth Patrick, director of training at the Columbus Police Department. “Protecting the community and serving the community that’s what it’s about.”

Now with his certificate in hand, Jethrow said he plans to proudly wear his badge and serve his hometown community, but it’s not the end of his journey.

“Hopefully move on full-time, and one of my last goal is to become a U.S. Marshal,” said Jethrow.

Northern District U.S. Marshal Dennis Irby was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

Monday night’s graduates will be working with agencies in Lowndes, Monroe and Winston counties.