Reserve LAPD or VCSD ?

[Hupla-Nelly]

Hey Guys,

I have a lot of time off with my current Job, and I'm planning on applying to Either LAPD or VCSD as a reservist. I live in Ventura County, but making the commute to LA wouldn't be that bad. My question is, What department do you guys think would be the most rewarding/fun? and the best over all choice?

[Big D]

I would go with the SOs where you live. You may eventually tire of the commute to your unpaid job and find it easier to go to events and training that are closer to home.

[jgarden]

Ventura county counsel issued some absurd opinion re their reserves. I can't recall the details right now. It had to with ccw, leosa or ccw at retirement. If that is still in place I would steer clear of them.

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[franco802]

If your going for a Reserve position, go with SO. More opportunities to do different things.

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[micro911]

If you want to be a reserve with any agency, try for the level 1 reserve.

[Hupla-Nelly]

If your going for a Reserve position, go with SO. More opportunities to do different things.

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SO?

[franco802]

SO?

Sheriff.

[RickD427]

If you want to be a reserve with any agency, try for the level 1 reserve.

This, but even more so, set your goal as reaching a Designated Level 1. That will provide you with full time peace officer status, and make it possible for you transfer to a full time position if should you develop that desire.

Check out whatever "Glass Ceiling" may exist on an agency's use of their reserves. Some set that ceiling quite low (often because of collective bargaining agreements with their full-time LEO organizations), and you'll never fully develop your skills. When you work a reserve schedule, it's going to take many years to fully prove yourself, but once you do, you want to make sure that your agency will make full use of your potential.

[Che762x39]

... My question is, What department do you guys think would be the most rewarding/fun? and the best over all choice?

LAPD

[Dizney211]

Hupla-Nelly,

Depending of what level of reserve officer you would like to become I recommend LAPD because you could work patrol, traffic enforcement, firearms training, gang and narcotics and detectives (division and specialized units).

Since you reside in Ventura County any of the valley divisions would be great, but if you want "action" then any of the South Bureau divisions will keep you busy.

As you may have noticed, I'm a bit biased towards LAPD. I retired from there after serving for 26 years and have worked with numerous reserve officers during my career. Good luck!!

[SFShep]

http://www.lapdonline.org/lapd_manual/

Not sure what VCSO's policy is on off-duty carry, but then again the Ventura County Sheriff is relatively pro-CCW. So if you live in Ventura County and work as an LAPD Reserve, the sheriff will probably issue you a CCW permit if you apply for one.