SFPD Reserve Questions

[s_ton]

Any LEO in SFPD here? I'm interested in applying for the Reserves, but since passing my NTN Frontline exam, I have some hesitation on whether it's worth it.

TL: DR Are there any benefits applying for SFPD Reserves?

I live in SF, and seeing how bad the city has become, I figured I should volunteer and help instead of complaining. My hesitation is that the SFPD points of contacts are not very proactive about returning emails and phone calls. TBH, it makes me wonder why I should work so hard to pursue something when the PD doesn't seem to care.

For those in SFPD or know anyone in reserves, are there any benefits of volunteering to be a police officer in SF? It seems like high risk and zero pay. I'd love to be able to learn and practice basic EMT skills, do Marine Unit, or have the ability to purchase off-roster would be nice.

As far as Marine Unit goes, would this even be possible? I have lots of experience open-water rowing and swimming in the bay. I even rescued a distressed swimmer a few weeks ago. I also have experience on the waterways sailing boats, both locally and across oceans.

The recruiter said, I should want to do reserves because I have the calling to "give back," which quite frankly, is a lot to ask. So I'm doing some digging...

[jayhuh]

In my experience, basically there are two types of folks who want to be reserves. Those who are curious and want to give back so to speak and those who want to test the waters or use it as a stepping stone to a full time job. So you have to figure out which category you fall into.

Being that most departments? reserve coordinators have other jobs/duties in addition to the reserve stuff, I would not get to hurt when calls/emails are not returned immediately. You mentioned the crime in SF, so I?m sure they?re pretty busy.

And yes, just putting on the uniform puts you in danger. Another question that only you can answer in your particular circumstances.

As to getting a slot in a specialized unit, remember you are competing with folks who work full time, not just 8-16 hours a month. I would assume with a department as large as SFPD, if you?re level one trained, you will work general patrol. If not, you will work parades and other big events.

As to being able to purchase off roster handguns, I will go out on a limb and definitely say if that is your reason for for becoming a reserve, don?t waste your time.

I hope this makes sense.

[P5Ret]

Have you gone through the reserve modules, or an academy? As far as getting into a specialized unit in SFPD, don't count on it. I know guys who worked full time, and it took years to even get considered for anything other than patrol.

[CalPERS]

SFPD- San Francisco or San Fernando?

[SB1942]

SFPD- San Francisco or San Fernando?

Probably San Fernando. I heard their Marine Unit is pretty tight.

[dno]

SFPD- San Francisco or San Fernando?

This question reminds me of in service training, when the instructor says, "If no one has anything we can get out of here a little early, maybe get a jump on the rush hour traffic..." Then that certain someone raises their hand and asks...

[jayhuh]

This question reminds me of in service training, when the instructor says, "If no one has anything we can get out of here a little early, maybe get a jump on the rush hour traffic..." Then that certain someone raises their hand and asks...

Ha ha. True story. That brings back memories. There was one in every class.

[caliprep]

In all honesty, the advantages don't come close to what one might get in the military reserves...If that's what you're thinking.

From what I've seen, many of the reserve police officers find themselves assigned to traffic duties or non-patrol assignments...Let alone any specialized tasking.

[HP911]

They aren't too reliant on their reserves and in my experience the full time sworn guys don't really give any reserves the time of day. I also don't think the department itself is eager to have them. As you mentioned the hiring process is molasses slow which should be a pretty good indication of much they are valued.

If I were you, I'd look into being a reserve for a smaller city.

[1911_sfca]

They aren't too reliant on their reserves and in my experience the full time sworn guys don't really give any reserves the time of day. I also don't think the department itself is eager to have them. As you mentioned the hiring process is molasses slow which should be a pretty good indication of much they are valued.

If I were you, I'd look into being a reserve for a smaller city.

Bingo.

I lived in downtown SF for 20 years, and was a reserve in a nearby county for 15. It was like night and day when I would get off a patrol shift and then return home to the city, in terms of what is allowed as "acceptable behavior" by the community / enforced by police.

I have had a number of friends in SFPD reserves, and actually looked into transferring there, and started attending their monthly meetings for a while. It's a good group of guys, but keep in mind you're in a very bureaucratic agency and as mentioned, the full timers don't really give reserves the time of day (or even realize that they exist, as a program). The program has had some good Sgt's managing it, typically as an ancillary duty. After SF continued to deteriorate, I ended up leaving the state and never joined. But I think it's a good program with a small group of active people.

To answer your question about the marine unit, I looked into joining it, as I know people involved with the unit and I spend a lot of time out on the water. There are no reserves in that unit. So unless you know someone on the unit or can make a special arrangement, you probably won't be joining it. You'll most likely be assigned to one of the district stations and shagging calls, or standing around at parades / special events.

With the changes in attitude toward the police in the last 7-8 years, you're much likelier to encounter passive, up to fierce, resistance when trying to do your job. With the changes to use of force laws, every significant use of force can be second-guessed and armchair quarterbacked after the fact with a relativistic standard of what "could have" been done. With the history of anti-law and order DAs in SF, consider a scenario where a criminal violently resists you while doing your (unpaid) job, and you have to use significant or deadly force. Are you willing to get referred for investigation, or prosecution, and potentially lose your freedom, in that kind of scenario? Or more likely, to be sued civilly by the suspect's family? If the press drags you after such an incident, will the department defend you, or hang you out to dry for political expediency? Are you willing to take that personal risk in order to help clean up the city? These are things to think about before putting aside a couple years of your life and thousands of dollars to put yourself through a part-time academy.

If you truly feel a calling to be a reserve, I would recommend to look south, and do it in a county that has a better track record of upholding the law, and especially in an agency that values and utilizes its reserves. There are plenty of agencies like that in the bay area.

After putting yourself through the academy, going through FTO, serving for a few years, and networking with cops in SF, then you can ask yourself if you want to transfer in there. I would say the one exception is if you're interested in going full time at SF, then the reserves could be a good stepping stone and way to get in the door. But in that case really I would just apply as a full timer and have them put you through the academy.