Sheriff's Executive Resource Volunteers

Sheriff's Executive Resource Volunteers, or SERV, offers participants an opportunity to volunteer in various capacities within the Sheriff's Office. SERV volunteers assist Sheriff's Office paid personnel in providing quality service to the residents of Buncombe County.

The Reserve Deputy Sheriff is a non-paid community service position within the Office of the Sheriff. The skilled and dedicated men and women of the unit volunteer their personal time to serve as Deputy Sheriffs in a variety of important roles. The members of the unit may respond to dispatched calls for service, serve civil papers, conduct follow-ups, address confirmations of registered sex offenders, serve in Courthouse security, Detention Center, Magistrate's Office/Intake, Criminal Investigations, or traffic enforcement positions through the Governor's Highway Safety Program. Some members even serve on the Sheriff's Special Response Team. A number of members are assigned to the Patrol Division's Directed Patrol Unit and are used as saturation patrols in neighborhoods experiencing increases in crime or in need of special community-oriented enforcement support.

Reserve Deputies are sworn with the same powers and authority of full-time Deputies. Reserve Deputies are also required to maintain the same levels of certification and training required by the State that full-time Deputies are required to maintain. This includes the full N.C. Basic Law Enforcement Training course, annual in-service updates, and annual Firearms training and qualification. The only difference is that the Reserve Deputies serve the agency as unpaid volunteers.

These service-oriented men and women come from a wide range of civilian backgrounds, from blue-collar workers to local business executives. Many of the Deputies are actually retired from or actively employed as full-time military personnel or police officers with other law enforcement agencies, volunteering additional service time to the residents of Buncombe County. Duties performed by Reserve officers save the taxpayers of Buncombe County thousands of dollars each year and we are proud to showcase the program as an integral part of the Sheriff's Office efforts to constantly improve the levels of service provided to the residents of this County.

Volunteering for SERV

SERV volunteers connect with the public through volunteer efforts and increase the Sheriff's Office’s presence in the community in a positive, collaborative manner. These efforts from our volunteers foster good community relations with residents the Sheriff's Office serves.

Volunteer positions are available in many divisions of the agency. We currently offer opportunities within the Patrol Division, the Courthouse, the Detention Facility, and our Crime Prevention Unit.

Qualifications

• Be of good moral character.
• Be a current U.S. Citizen.
• Have a valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
• Have frequent weekday availability.
• Pass a background check.
• Have no felony convictions or charges pending.
• Must pass a drug test.
• Present a professional appearance.
• Volunteer at least 16 hours a month (4 hours a week).
• Must work well with others.
• Applicants for SERV must have attended the Buncombe County Sheriff's Academy. Those applicants who have completed a Sheriff's Academy in another county or the Asheville Police Academy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.