Bay area reserve officer?

[AregularGuy]

Hi all. I have always said, if I could do it all over again I'd be a police officer. That is my dream job. As things turned out I became a physical therapist, mainly due to ignorance of the LEO selection process when I was younger. Call it a mid life crisis of sorts but now I'm doing those things I never did when younger. I recently applied, and was tentatively accepted to the Army reserves, waiting for an age waiver! Talking to folks at work I learned about police reserve programs. I had no idea these existed! Now I'm trying to get all the info I can. I've read up on the basic info from various Web sites and the modular academy is doable for me. I don't mind working for free and weekends/nights would be no problem in terms of volunteering. What I wonder is, is there a real need and/or use for reserve officers or am I wasting my time and enthusiasm? Happy to hear any thoughts you have on the topic. Thanks in advance!

[micro911]

If you are accepted for the Army reserve, don't you have an obligation to join? Anyways, the police reserve program is kind of intense, also. I know they have to attend a year long academy on weekends and one weekday night. Then, if you upgrade your level, you have attend additional academy.

I think the selection process is a s intense as regular officers.

That was the program long time ago. I don't know if they changed the program now.

[ABF]

I have served in both the US Army Reserve as an officer, and as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. I highly recommend BOTH as fantastic life experiences. Your plate will be full, but it's do-able.

As for the "need" or "use" for Reserve Police Officers.... it depends on the agency. I worked for an agency that allowed their reserves to work in all aspects of the department. If I wanted to put in the time, the Sergeant of Investigations would allow me to work cases. Patrol always welcomed an extra beat partner, the search and rescue unit appreciated us, and the jail always had room on the floor for an extra set of hands. Heck, they even had a Reserve Deputy on the SWAT team!

(Just don't go into it thinking you'll be viewed as "valuable" as a full time, paid officer... because you won't be. Actually, same goes for the Army Reserve. The Active Army will look down on you because of the limited actual job experience as a soldier. But, don't let those things stop you. Both jobs are very rewarding!)

[AregularGuy]

Thanks to both above for the comments. As to the Army reserves, I'll be commissioned as an officer if accepted fully because of physical therapist occupation. As such, I had to apply, so far an almost 3 year process! I don't mind being busy or limited experience, etc, as long as I feel I'm doing my part.

[sar_man]

This may answer some of your questions

https://www.post.ca.gov/reserve-officer-program.aspx

[AregularGuy]

This may answer some of your questions

https://www.post.ca.gov/reserve-officer-program.aspx

Thanks! Didn't see that faq during my search.

[TripleThreat]

I became a Reserve Officer at the age of 35. We had a full time officer (was a Reserve Ofc) that went back to the regular Academy when he was 50. Age should not stop you. My Father was a CHP and I always wanted to be a Police Officer, since the other 3 jobs I wanted never panned out (Naval Aviator, NASCAR Driver, ER Doctor) I ended up with dream job #4, Police Officer. I did this while I had a very good job, but it wasn't the job I wanted, it was the job I needed to pay for the life I wanted.

Fast forward to today's Academy, which is now the same for Regulars as it is for Reserves...when I went through the 2 academies were different, with the Reserve being about 1/2 as long. Being a volunteer can pay very well. Some Reserve Officer's make $100K+ a year doing just payjobs.

If you can stomach putting yourself through the Academy with a "chance" of being a Reserve Officer at the end, then I say go for it! I have so much satisfaction being a Reserve Officer, I wouldn't change that for the world, it's become my entire life now that I'm retired.

If you wanted to be a full time officer, the department would pay you to go Academy and selection takes place before starting the academy, this means you'd skip the "chance" portion of getting hired before going to the Academy.

Hope this helps,

Triple

[AregularGuy]

Thanks for the input. Very encouraging! I'm in the process of setting up ride along and hopefully the officers won't mind me plugging them for more info as well.

[aerodan]

If you are healthy, can run and pass the fitness and physical, work hard and stay focused you'll likely have a fantastic experience. Sadly, my spinal stenosis was the end of my hopes to be an officer after modular III. Any real back issues are a red stamp. Disappointing, but I understood completely. Stupid spine.

[Gun Kraft]

Reserves have to go through the same basic academy as regulars. You can either do that as an unaffiliated recruit in a full-time academy or attend the Level III, II and I modular academy. Either http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/law_enforcement_training in the south bay or http://pstc.santarosa.edu/police-academy-modular up north are your only choices.

Regardless of which academy route you choose, pick an agency that values its Reserves and offers them opportunities you are interested in. Search calguns and you will find some LEOs who don't like Reserves and think they're worthless. You will also find other LEOs who are the opposite. Find someplace that's filled with the latter and not the former. Good luck in your new adventures.

[gorn5150]

Reserves are a great asset to their agencies. I was my departments assistant volunteer services coordinator for about 4 years. We had about 1200 volunteers and of those about 200 peace officer reserves. Many of our reserves were hired as per diem deputies, so they made deputy wages minus benefits plus 5%. When I had that job we revamped the whole system and got rid of all the old "good ol boy" crap that made our reserves less than the best they could be. Now the department issues all equipment to the reserves and has completely incorporated them into all regular training.

If you have the time to complete the full academy and you want to be a reserve then you should go for it. Great experience and fun.

[code_blue]

Many agencies also hire from their Reserve pools as a part of their normal process.

There are a few bay area RO's here. I'm sure that they will chime in soon.

[AregularGuy]

Thanks all for the feedback and encouragement. If I can make this work I intend to. I hung in there during 3 years of incompetence and run-around during my Army reserve application, I can make this happen. I've had your input and talked to a couple of people, current and retired officers. Next step is to get in touch with the modular academy folks then figure out where to go from there.

[CBR_rider]

Good luck; as other have suggested definitely research the agencies around you to pick the ones that have quality reserves and let their reserves actually work. Do ride alongs with a few agencies if you have the chance.

[AregularGuy]

Edit: Moved to full thread to properly thank Piedmont PD