The reserve police officer is a sworn, part-time volunteer police officer who devotes time and talents to the City of Palos Verdes Estates, and who performs a civic function assisting the full-time (regular) officers in their assigned duties. The reserve officer serves the community and fills the void when additional officers are needed. The primary utilization of reserve police officers is to supplement the regular patrol force.

The Palos Verdes Estates reserve police corps is comprised of community members who volunteer their time to fulfill many of the roles handled by full-time sworn police officers. This corps consists of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified reserve police officers with various designations. Level 1 reserve police officers perform the same functions as regular, full-time police officers. They are armed uniformed peace officers who work in police vehicles alone or with full-time police officers. Level 2 reserve police officers partner with regular officers enforcing laws and local ordinances, preventing crime, protecting life and property and maintaining peace and order within our city. While on duty, Level 1 and Level 2 reserve officers have all the responsibility and authority of a peace officer. Level 3 reserve police officers perform various administrative functions within the Police Department, and assist with special assignments as required by the department such as the Palos Verdes Marathon, marine patrol, linguistic translation, home and welfare checks and other areas not likely to result in an arrest. Reserve officers participate in various assignments such as car patrol, motorcycle patrol, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) patrol, Boat patrol, mounted posse details, special enforcement, search and rescue, and detective work.

Reserve officers undergo rigorous training and firearms qualification. Complete and thorough background investigations (which include polygraph, psychological and medical examinations) are conducted on every reserve officer applicant prior to being accepted into the Police Department.

The reserve officer satisfies biennial POST training requirements and maintains proficiency in weapons, arrest and defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operations. The reserve officers donate their service to the City of Palos Verdes Estates by performing the aforementioned activities on their own time and many times with their own resources.

In 2009, the reserve police corps provided over 3,450 hours to the City in activities that included patrol, investigations, and training.