Membership

The membership forms can be obtained three different ways:

  1. Click here to download forms
  2. From the Benton County Sheriff's Office, 180 NW 5th St, Corvallis, OR 97330
  3. Contacting Linda Balzer at (541) 740-4113 (cell) or mlbalzer@comcast.net (e-mail)

The following describes the aims, requirements and responsibilities of membership.

Administration

The Sheriff of Benton County is the Commander and Chief of the Posse. For the administration of its own affairs, the following are elected annually by the membership:

  1. Captain
  2. First Lieutennant
  3. Second Lieutennant of Personnel
  4. Second Lieutennant of Equipment
  5. Secretary-Treasurer

Regular Membership Requirements

Regular membership is limited to 50 members. All newly elected members are accepted as probationary members for first 12 months and, if found acceptable for regular membership after this period, can be elected to regular membership.

Inactive Membership

The Inactive Membership is limited to regular members who need to request a leave of absence from active duty due to the following circumstances:

Regular members can also be moved to the inactive roster if they miss three or more business meetings in one year without notifying the captain in advance of such an absence. A member who is put on the inactive membership for this reason can be terminated after one year unless the member becomes active again within this one year period.

Inactive members do not vote or hold office. They can be elected back into Regular Membership by making a request in writing to the Captain.

Junior Membership

Junior Members cannot vote, hold office, carry firearms, or participate in any form of public duty.

Honorary Membership

Regular members who have given long-term exemplary service to the Benton County Posse can be voted into the Honorary Membership after they become inactive as regular members. Honorary members do not hold office or vote in posse business, and they are not issued posse equipment. They are welcomed at all social events but are exempt from all fund raising and training responsibilities.

Procedure for Membership

In order to join the Benton County Posse, prospective members must:

  1. Meet with the Posse Membership Committee.
  2. Attend three ride nights.
  3. Pass equipment check by the 2nd Lieutenant-Equipment.
  4. Submit an application for membership.
  5. Attend one business meeting.
  6. Submit Sheriff's Background Check form.
  7. Receive approval of the Sheriff.
  8. Be voted in by ¾ vote of the regular Posse membership.
  9. Be sworn in by the Benton County Sheriff and sign a Code of Ethics form.
  10. Comply to 12 months as a probationary member.
  11. Obtain first aid and CPR certification.

Regular Members can opt to qualify to use a side arm. This qualification is not required. To qualify, a member must:

  1. Qualify annually.
  2. Pass sheriff's Use of Force test.
  3. Read and sign sheriff's firearm policy. (At this time side arms are only authorized for use at practice and OAMP Pistol Shoot).

Dues

No dues are currently being assessed. All training and posse-issued equipment is paid for by funds earned through fund raising events.

Mounts

Members must supply their own suitable mount, transportation and some horse-related equipment. The mount must be:

  1. Of saddle-type breeding with no apparent draft blood.
  2. Not less than 14.2 hands or over 16 hands.
  3. A mare or gelding.
  4. Of suitable demeanor for Posse functions.
  5. Approved by the Second Lieutenant of Equipment.

Conduct

Members must commit to reasonable work hours for posse work parties, community service projects, and fund raising activities as needed. However, it is not expected that posse activities interfere with work or family. The posse is involved in a wide range of activities, not all members participate in all of them.

Members are expected to conduct their personal lives in an exemplary manner at all times.

Any member who shall conduct them self in a manner not becoming an upstanding citizen, either in the posse or elsewhere, may be reprimanded, suspended or expelled.

The use of intoxicants while in uniform is prohibited and their use at other times must be with propriety.

Any members who may do anything calculated to disturb the harmony or impair the good name of the posse with special emphasis on personal debts and extra marital activities may be expelled.

Liability

Each member is required to carry suitable liability and property insurance as shall meet the approval of the Captain and the Sheriff of Benton County.