One of the Pella Police Reserve Officers is hopeful the community will join him as a volunteer with the department.

Hunter Boertje joined the Pella Police Reserves in January of 2016, and tells KNIA/KRLS News he assists the department’s full time staff whenever he can. Boertje learned of the opportunity in his criminal justice class at Pella High School, and says he’s gaining valuable experience for what he hopes is an eventual career in law enforcement.

“These officers have gotten a chance to work with me, they know me, what my potential is, and what I’m capable of putting forth, and the time and commitment that I put forward as well,” he says. “I feel like that is a good opportunity to stick my foot in the door and that way when they go to hire, they look at me and say, ‘hey, we know this guy.'”

He encourages anyone interested in becoming a reserve to stop by the Pella Police Department and fill out an application by September 15th.