Citing the dangers and demands of police work and harsh economic times, the New Baltimore police chief said he plans to reinstate a reserve unit.

According to Chief Tim Wiley, reserve officers, with the support of city officials, will join the force in the near future.

"The benefits of recruiting voluntary members within our community who share in the mission of public service will greatly enhance the safety of all without incurring significant financial commitments," Wiley said in a prepared statement.

Mayor Larry Smith said Tuesday that reserve officers would be non-paid trained members of the force. They will wear a badge that slightly differs from sworn officers' badges, but will not have full powers of arrest. They will, however, carry a weapon, wear uniforms and assist sworn officers in arresting suspects.

"I think this is going to give us the appearance of having more manpower on the streets," Smith said. "There's a number of departments that use reserves."

The reserves will undergo condensed training before they start work, patrolling with paid officers. There are currently 16 sworn officers on the force, he said.

Retired police officers and citizens with an interest in law enforcement are encouraged to apply for the unit by contacting the police department.

Wiley stated, "We are fortunate to have many law enforcers residing within our city who can attest to the effectiveness of a reserve unit when properly administered. Our reserve officers will be utilized to supplement our regular police officers—not replace them—while providing an added layer of protection throughout the year."

A reserve unit was last used in the city several years ago, said Smith, calling the reinstatement of one "a good community involvement program."