Reserve Officer

[patriot_man]

Does anyone have experience as a reserve officer?

I have no plans to join full time but the though of being a reserve officer and doing more interests me. I've already emailed the contact for my city but I'd like to hear some insights and suggestions if there are any.

I'd be looking to join in my current city in Mountain View or nearby. Thanks!

[patriot_man]

Thank you for the information. My aim would be to operate in a level 1 or 2 capacity.

It seems I need to complete all three academy courses in order to be reserve officer for my city. I looked at the basic police academy and saw that the time commitment is from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mon through Fri for 6 months.

This is the only thing that may be problematic i.e. work, etc.

[code_blue]

Very few agencies seem to accept level III reserves. You should check with your target agencies to determine the levels that they are recruiting for.

Module I has all of the high stress items; continued firearms, scenarios, high speed EVOC, lifetime fitness, etc...

Module II goes into the more advanced sections of firearms (day/night/combat) and includes chemical agents training. This is likely why agencies opt for level II and level I reserves over level III.

Module III is generally teaching the basics and prepping you for the other modules. Basic firearms nomenclature, basic driving, parking, etc...

In a full basic, the order of things learned will vary. Completing this is the equivalent to completing Module I. You may need to complete FTO for level I depending on the agency of choice. Only after clearing FTO will you receive your POST certificate making you eligible as a lateral transfer, otherwise you'd just have your academy grad or module certificates.

I am unsworn, but going through this scenario and providing you with the knowledge I've obtained from my path. You can also try to volunteer for the agency to get a feel of day to day operations before deciding to go sworn. GL.

[patriot_man]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Just got an email back from the police department that they are hiring - now I just need to figure out time and expenses.

Also another related question - I'm planning to join the military in a timeline of 2 years. When I leave the military and transition back to a civilian will my progress and certification still be valid or do I need to take some refresher courses?

[CBR_rider]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Just got an email back from the police department that they are hiring - now I just need to figure out time and expenses.

Also another related question - I'm planning to join the military in a timeline of 2 years. When I leave the military and transition back to a civilian will my progress and certification still be valid or do I need to take some refresher courses?

POST certification is good for three years IRC; I do not know all of the requirements to "freeze" your certification other than being employed as a LEO/reserve LEO.

[gorn5150]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Just got an email back from the police department that they are hiring - now I just need to figure out time and expenses.

Also another related question - I'm planning to join the military in a timeline of 2 years. When I leave the military and transition back to a civilian will my progress and certification still be valid or do I need to take some refresher courses?

POST certification expires in 3 years if you are not working with an agency. There is a program that you can take to avoid going through the entire academy again but I forget what it is called. Possibly recertification training.

Edit: Yes, it is recertification training. https://post.ca.gov/post-requalification-course.aspx

[code_blue]

Your POST will expire in 3 years as mentioned by CBR and gorn. To my understanding you can take a refresher course if you've completed a Full Basic Academy/Mod I course. That is unless the 2 week refresher only applies if you've obtained an POST Certificate (not academy graduate) AFTER clearing FTO i.e. able to lateral. I have not been able to confirm this.

The other modules will just expire after 3 years if you are not employed by a CA LEA, but you can retake the final exam of the last module and the PELLET B if applicable to continue.

Military LE cert also does not exempt you from CA POST to my understanding.


EDIT: Requal links for all levels:

https://post.ca.gov/requalification.aspx

[micro911]

I have worked with Level 1 reserves in the past. They were even better than some full time LEOs I have worked with.

[pitbuljake]

As a former CA level one reserve, I can tell you from my experience that not all agencies treat and or utilizes their reserves the same. And that goes for any level of reserve officer.

I strongly suggest you do your homework and check out three to five agencies to gauge which one may suit you best.

Hopefully you know or have an opportunity to talk with a current or former reserve officer from a prospective agency. Knowing someone on the inside (and I'm not talking about a regular officer) will give you way better insight in my humble opinion. Good luck in your endeavor.



BTW, I mean no disrespect to full time LEO's but only a current or former reserve officer can truly give an opinion on how it is to walk in their shoe's. Just as only a full time LEO can tell you what it is likewise. Unless of course they've done both, and many have.

[bpark919]

This may be a dumb question, but...

Are reserve officers sworn in, and considered "peace officers" for gun purchasing purposes?

I've always wanted to become a police officer. Problem is my parents would never allow it. I figured a reserve officer was the way to go. Being able to buy off-roster Dan Wesson Specialist would be awesome too... haha!

[code_blue]

This may be a dumb question, but...

Are reserve officers sworn in, and considered "peace officers" for gun purchasing purposes?

I've always wanted to become a police officer. Problem is my parents would never allow it. I figured a reserve officer was the way to go. Being able to buy off-roster Dan Wesson Specialist would be awesome too... haha!

Yes, ROs are Peace Officers as defined in in the PC.

If you are entering for the sole purpose of being roster exempt, you are entering for the wrong reasons.

If you allow your parents (or anyone for that matter) to dictate what you will become in the future or what you do, you are also entering the wrong field.

You will experience the same dangers as an RO that full time officers face. All people, including criminals, see are a uniform and a badge. Criminals will even go after non-sworn employees and volunteers because that is all they see.

If your parents won't "allow" you to be an LEO, they won't "allow" you to be an RO.

Maybe take a citizens academy and develop yourself as an individual first before considering this field of work. Good luck to you.

[KD714]

Pitbuljake is correct, do your homework and make sure the department you are joining will allow you to do actual patrol work. Also, the larger the department the more opportunities you have.

[KD714]

Yes, ROs are Peace Officers as defined in in the PC.

If you are entering for the sole purpose of being roster exempt, you are entering for the wrong reasons.

If you allow your parents (or anyone for that matter) to dictate what you will become in the future or what you do, you are also entering the wrong field.

You will experience the same dangers as an RO that full time officers face. All people, including criminals, see are a uniform and a badge. Criminals will even go after non-sworn employees and volunteers because that is all they see.

If your parents won't "allow" you to be an LEO, they won't "allow" you to be an RO.

Maybe take a citizens academy and develop yourself as an individual first before considering this field of work. Good luck to you.

What he said.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

traffic control, night patrols-observe and report.

That's what volunteers and explorers are for. Reserve officers are assigned actual police work and expected to handle it.

[patriot_man]

Thanks everyone.