05/08/2026
Tonight, we had the honor of attending the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Academy graduation to support one of West Hennepin’s newest Reserve Officers, Austin Ward, as he officially completed the 2026 Spring Reserve School.
Chief DuRose, Sgt. Ebeling, and Reserve Coordinator Zilles were proud to be there as Austin graduated alongside reserve officers from agencies across Hennepin County.
The academy included weeks of evening training covering procedural justice, use of force, radio communications, report writing, crime scene preservation, CPR/first aid, and more. Participants also completed hands-on defensive tactics and scenario-based training designed to prepare them for the responsibilities of public safety service.
Reserve officers serve as unpaid volunteers, dedicating their personal time to training and supporting their communities. Completing the academy requires a significant commitment and reflects a strong desire to serve others and give back.
Austin has already shown a strong commitment to serving the community, balancing the demands of academy training while beginning his service with West Hennepin Public Safety. We appreciate the time, effort, and dedication he has invested in preparing for this role and look forward to having him continue to grow within our Reserve Program.
Please join us in congratulating Reserve Officer Austin Ward on this accomplishment!