Clanton’s city council approved a plan to create a set of guidelines for a reserve police force.

The action was based on a recommendation by Police Chief Brian Stilwell and passed unanimously.

Stilwell told council members the issue arose during an insurance audit, when it was discovered members of the department’s “Police Explorers” auxiliary program weren’t covered because of the lack of a specific policy.

“We’re just trying to clean all this up,” Stilwell said. “I think you’ll see this is going to work out much better than what we’ve had.”

Monday’s action splits the department’s volunteer helpers into two groups: the auxiliary and reserve officers.

Reserve officers will be able to take on more responsibilities and undergo more training than auxiliary members.

The measure passed unanimously after discussion about the changes. Then, council members approved the department’s first six reserves.

In other business, the council:

•Approved a license to sell beer on the premises for Helfi’s Grill after no one objected during a public hearing.

•Promoted a current Clanton Police Department employee to corporal to replace a departed employee in that position.

•Approved a list of nine part-time summer employees for city park.

•Approved minutes from the Feb. 25 meeting and paid the bills.