Safety 88 Class 1 Graduated August 12, 1988 as part of the High Sierra Law Enforcement Academy

AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM FOR EXPERIENCED OFFICERS
On May 17, 1988, the Safety 88 program was approved by the voters of the City of Reno by a mere 214 votes out 20,822 votes cast. While that wasn’t exactly a mandate, it was enough for Chief Bradshaw to begin the process of hiring 88 new officers.

The 88 recruits were to be hired in groups of about 25 because that's the most the Department could assimilate at a time. That rate of hiring would take the fulfillment of the Safety 88 Program in to 1989.   The initial group of 26 was hired July 25 and the second group of 25 would follow September 26, 1988. To expedite training. the city hired only experienced officers in the first group. Each initial recruit already had a Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate from some judication. That meant each recruit met at least minimum police training standards and only needed to be certified by the Nevada P.O.S.T Commission if they came from out of state.

Because of that, the Safety 88 Class -1 academy lasted only three weeks Instead of the normal 12 to be required of the others. But even after getting a uniform and equipment, a recruit was required ride in a patrol car with a field-training officer for 14 weeks before being certified for solo patrol duty. Field-training officers are regular officers who volunteers for the train assignment. The training officers must take 40 hours of training themselves.

Halfway through field-training period, a satisfactorily-performing recruit may be certified to act as a double-unit officer. Being a double unit officer means the recruit may fulfill the requirement of a regular back-up officer, when one is required. It was anticipated that by December 19, 1988, the field-training class of Safety 88 Class-1 would end and the new officers would be on their own.