The Minneapolis Police Reserve is an auxiliary unit of the Minneapolis Police Department.  While the Reserve Unit functions as part of the Police Department, due to its size and the nature of its operations the unit is autonomous with respect to administration and daily operations.  The Reserve Unit falls under the command of the Special Events Section and the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, currently attached to the Department's First Precinct (Downtown).  The City's Special Events/Reserve Coordinator, a sworn police sergeant, serves as a liaison between the Reserve Unit and the Police Department Administration.

The Reserve Unit itself has an organizational structure similar to that of the Minneapolis Police Department.  The highest ranking officer in the unit is the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Reserve, assisted by an Assistant Chief, a Deputy Chief of Patrol, and a Deputy Chief of Services.   Reserve Inspectors, Lieutenants, and Sergeants oversee officers in sectors that correspond to the Department's Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Precincts.  The Service Division, similar to the Police Department's Central Services Bureau, handles the administrative needs of the Minneapolis Police Reserve.  Reserve Captains command sections responsible for communications, personnel, supply, training, and recruiting.

Reserve officers adhere strictly to a chain-of-command, both in the field and behind the scenes.  Opportunities for advancement to supervisory and command positions are available to officers who demonstrate an extraordinary level of performance and commitment to duty as well as a strong leadership aptitude.  The Minneapolis Police Reserve encourages personal and professional growth and benefits greatly from the diverse talents of its officers.

The Reserve Unit consists entirely of part-time officers who serve without compensation for their time.  Members of the unit must work at least 30 hours per calendar quarter, or 120 hours per year.  However, many officers work more than 200 hours per year, and some work more than 400.  Most officers in command positions work an equal or greater number of administrative hours behind the scenes as they do "in the street."  A number of senior officers have more than 20 years of service with the Minneapolis Police Reserve.

The origins of the Minneapolis Police Reserve date back to the years following World War II, when air raid wardens wearing white helmets were a familiar sight on city streets.  Formally chartered by the City of Minneapolis in 1952, the Police Reserve operated under the auspices of Civil Defense for nearly four decades.  The Police Reserve's principal duties were emergency preparedness and staffing large community events.  Reservists trained for incidents of civil unrest, natural disaster and, if necessary, city-wide evacuation.  Large events such as the annual Aquatennial celebration and the Twin Cities Marathon served as training exercises in managing large crowds and automobile and pedestrian traffic.

Over the years, the Police Reserve took on a public relations role in addition to its public safety duties, working alongside and on behalf of the Police Department at smaller neighborhood and church-sponsored events.  At the same time, reserve officers took on a greater support role in the Department, assisting sworn officers in non-enforcement duties.  The gray/black uniform of reservists was changed to resemble the blue uniform worn by regular police officers.  By the 1980s, reserve officers could be found staffing precinct desks and on backup details in marked squad cars during midwatch shifts and performing a variety of auxiliary duties.

Today, the traditions of the Civil Defense era remain a significant part of the Minneapolis Police Reserve, but as the idea of reserve policing has come of age and role of reserve officers has evolved, so have the duties and training of this unique police unit.  The dynamic nature of law enforcement and public safety in the twenty first century, compounded by the challenges and limitations of voluntary service, demands a progressive managerial approach.  The leaders of the Minneapolis Police Reserve remain committed to advancing the capabilities and professionalism of the organization through high professional standards, comprehensive training, and responsive leadership at all levels of command.

Nowhere has the need for responsiveness been more clearly illustrated than the dramatic and unforeseen need to substantially increase the security of our homeland.  The Minneapolis Police Reserve has responded in force.  Where at one time reserve officers would provide a casual patrol and uniformed presence at Metrodome events, such as professional football and baseball games, the unit now assists in maintaining secure perimeters around the arena, controlling vehicular movement, and reinforcing monitoring and surveillance efforts.  The Reserve Unit is continually called upon to assist with the many large and challenging events unique to the City of Minneapolis.  Officers in the unit staffed over 120 events in 2002.  Additionally, the Minneapolis Police Reserve has specific command directives related to the U.S. domestic terrorism threat level.  Reserve officers are on-call 24 hours a day to respond to emergency situations to augment full-time personnel and to relieve regular police officers so that they may resume their normal duties in the City's five precincts.