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Topeka’s police reserve program ending

By Associated Press - | Dec 8, 2014

? The Topeka police department has ended its reserve program, which allowed trained volunteers to carry firearms and help stop crime with the same authority as official law enforcement officers.

The program began more than 60 years ago but had dwindled to only five people before it was officially ended Dec. 1.

Topeka officials say the program was eliminated because Kansas law doesn’t provide guidance for reserve officers and there was concern about liability issues.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports reserve officers didn’t need a law enforcement background but underwent all necessary police training and received equipment free of charge. They needed to complete 340 hours of classes and then attending monthly training and to volunteer 16 hours of assistance per month.