Johnson City hires first reserve police officer, and he's from Austin

JOHNSON CITY, Texas (KXAN) -- Reserve Officer Johnny Zamora saw KXAN's previous coverage on Johnson City's search for a reserve officer force, applied, and got the gig.

"My tenure here just started, but I'm really looking forward to the future," he said.

The city put out the call for reserve officers over the summer.

“Pretty large population boom in the last couple of years. And it’s one of those things where even if we have excellent police coverage, it’s one of those things where there’s almost never enough,” said Mayor Stephanie Fisher, adding that there isn't currently funding for another full-time officer.

The reserve officers work a few shifts per month and on an as-needed basis, like if too many officers call in sick or if there's a big event in town.

Zamora used to work at a law enforcement agency in Austin.

"After almost 20 years as a full-time police officer, I decided to take a different route and go into the private sector," he said.

The role gives him a chance to step back into policing.

"I'm big on community policing, so it could be something as simple as waving at someone as you're driving by, walking into a convenience store, getting to know the clerks on a first-name basis," he said.

The reserve positions are volunteer roles.