EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) - At age 73, Brian Duncan is following his own advice: if you think you can do it, you probably can.
When Duncan got out of the Navy in 1967 he wanted to become a police officer. At the time, however, he says departments wanted big, tall men with 20/20 vision. He didn't fit the mold and moved on to a career in the court system.
Twelve years ago, the itch came back, and Duncan joined the El Cajon Police Department's Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, also known as the RSVP program.
Now he's taking his service even further, working to become a reserve police officer.
If he lands a job, Duncan will be a sworn police officer able to make arrests and carry firearms. The only difference is he'll always have to work alongside a regular police officer.
Duncan says his age is not a barrier and he's doing this to make a difference in the community.
"I've proven I can get through the academy, so I can do it. If I didn't think I could do it or would jeopardize someone's safety, I wouldn't do it," said Duncan.
Reserve officers work voluntarily and are not paid.
On Friday Duncan graduates from Grossmont College's 32nd Police Academy and already has an application out for a job.
