RENO — The Reno Police Department swore in 11 new police officers during a badge ceremony Friday morning at Reno City Hall. The new officers will serve the community as unpaid volunteers.

The officers graduated from the Northern Nevada Law Enforcement Academy in April but were part of the city-wide reduction in force soon after their graduation.

Creating and implementing the new sworn police officer volunteer program was a collaborative effort with the entire Reno Police Department, including the collective bargaining groups. In the program officers will work in a training environment with a certified training officer. The program allows the officers to keep current on their education and skills along with keeping their Peace Officer Standards and Training current. Officers in the program are required to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per month with a maximum of 40 hours per week and are not able to be employed with another law enforcement agency.

The new sworn police officer volunteer program consisting of the 11 officers is expected to save the city of Reno approximately $1 million annually.

A city-wide reduction in force in April included 28 Reno police officer positions, 13 of which were new police recruits, five were through retirements and attrition and 10 were new officers currently working in the community.

To view the video of the badge ceremony visit www.reno.gov, select “I Want To,” then “Watch” and “Reno TV.”