Reserve Officer and Academy Question

[PsychGuy274]

I'm sure this probably depends on where I'll be applying to, but generally speaking, if X agency hires me as a reserve officer do they sponsor me through the academy or do I have to pay my own way?

Thanks guys!

[MaddogV]

my past dealings was you had to have enough money to buy your own recruit training supplies. this included your first uniforms and pt clothing. most academies make you show up in suit and tie attire so you'll have to put out for that also so figure about a $1,000 to get through a recruit ptc type class

[003]

It all depends on the agency. At one time my old agency fully sponsored all potential reserve officers. After a background investigation/medical identical to a regular officer, the potential reserve was issued a complete set of all necessary uniforms and equipment and was send off to the academy. In a word, it was a disaster, many of those selected and sponsored dropped out of the academy after they realized the time commitment, which lasted over one year and took up much of their spare time.

The cost in completing the background and then issuing all the required equipment was a big expense, much of it lost when the potential reserve walked away.

I have not kept up with what they currently do, but I suspect they are nowhere close to what they did in the past. I do know at one time they told all those interested to apply to the academy and them give us a call when they got close to graduation and we would take a look and if we were interested, we would pick them up and they would graduate in our uniform.

[Tallship]

SDSO will sponsor you, but only if you're already a volunteer with the department. I believe the other SD agencies have the same rules.

[epilepticninja]

When I was a reserve, they issued me a vest, a badge, and duty ammo. And they didn't pay for anything else other than a biweekly paycheck depending on the hours I worked. As a Level II, I could only work 15 hours a month. When I became a Level I, I could basically work as much as I wanted. Also, I had to go thru the Module C, B, and A (Level III, II, I) prior to even being hired. I was going to take Module D, however I was still on active duty at the time, and was PCS'd.

When I returned to Cali, everything had changed, so I would have had to go thru an entire academy which I wasn't even interested in doing. The only people I know that are getting put thru the academy now are full time hires. If you are a reserve, and are attending the academy as a potential full time hire, some agencies will pick up the cost of your ammo, which can be substantial. All depends on the agency.

[696k]

In today's tight budgets I would bet most agencies are hoping you pay your own way. In some respects it proves to the Agency that you are serious about what you want to do in your life. I know our agency (in Orange County) used to headhunt the Reserve Academies. However, to be a Level 1 reserve here in Ca. requires as much training as a full timer so you might consider going that way if you are thinking long term.

Either way good luck!

[PsychGuy274]

Thanks for all the help guys! All this info really helps out a lot! I think I have a good idea of what to expect now.

[socalblue]

When I was a reserve, they issued me a vest, a badge, and duty ammo. And they didn't pay for anything else other than a biweekly paycheck depending on the hours I worked. As a Level II, I could only work 15 hours a month. When I became a Level I, I could basically work as much as I wanted. Also, I had to go thru the Module C, B, and A (Level III, II, I) prior to even being hired. I was going to take Module D, however I was still on active duty at the time, and was PCS'd.

When I returned to Cali, everything had changed, so I would have had to go thru an entire academy which I wasn't even interested in doing. The only people I know that are getting put thru the academy now are full time hires. If you are a reserve, and are attending the academy as a potential full time hire, some agencies will pick up the cost of your ammo, which can be substantial. All depends on the agency.

If you otherwise still qualify, POST recertification is ~164 hours (can be less, depending upon how long you have been out & if you were a working LEO in another state).

[center_x]

I was not sponsored, but I was affiliated by my department.

[epilepticninja]

If you otherwise still qualify, POST recertification is ~164 hours (can be less, depending upon how long you have been out & if you were a working LEO in another state).

I never took the Module D, so I wasn't eligible to challenge the POST test. At the same time, the rules for Level I's had changed, and from what I understand, you have to be a designated Level 1 (basic POST certification) to work by yourself. Non-designated Level I's were grandfathered in if they were active at the time of the rule change. So basically, I would have had to go thru an entire academy.

[Notorious]

Reserve programs are shrinking all over the state thanks to the rules requiring full-time levels of certification. I was a self sponsored reserve back in the day and that's how I got my foot in the door. In a class of 60, we had 5 guys sponsored. 2 guys were already working for the agency in civilian capacities. 2 guys were fishing buddies with the sheriff. 1 guy was a volunteer with the last agency. That's it for the lucky ones.

Nobody was footing the bill for reserves even back in the day.

[Tallship]

Nobody was footing the bill for reserves even back in the day.

Let me elaborate on the SDSO "sponsoring" people. What that entails is simply assigning you your leather gear and accessories, loaning you a handgun (which the college will do anyway) and providing ammunition. Every other cost is up to you.

[ryno66]

If your serious about this, put yourself through an academy, one that is still open. I graduated from a 26 week Sheriff academy in August 2010 and paid about $2800 which included supplies, ammunition, uniforms, boots and everything that I needed aside from about $300 in class dues for graduation. Out of 59 recruits that started, 5 were sponsered by agencies and had jobs upon graduation. During the course of our 26 week academy, 3 of the recruits got the news they would not be hired due to the budget but would still be paid through the end of the academy. Less than half of the class actually graduated. You need a POST certificate to allow you to be a reserve in most of the agencies I have seen. Bottom line is, economy sucks and sponsered positions are few and far between. Good Luck....

[Notorious]

If your serious about this, put yourself through an academy, one that is still open. I graduated from a 26 week Sheriff academy in August 2010 and paid about $2800 which included supplies, ammunition, uniforms, boots and everything that I needed aside from about $300 in class dues for graduation. Out of 59 recruits that started, 5 were sponsered by agencies and had jobs upon graduation. During the course of our 26 week academy, 3 of the recruits got the news they would not be hired due to the budget but would still be paid through the end of the academy. Less than half of the class actually graduated. You need a POST certificate to allow you to be a reserve in most of the agencies I have seen. Bottom line is, economy sucks and sponsered positions are few and far between. Good Luck....

You put yourself through a full time academy? I give you props. I couldn't do it. Lucky for me though when I went through, ammunition and everything was included in the course fee. I had to buy my own uniforms and equipment it that was it. I think I spent less than a grand total. Probably closer to $800, if that.

[Subotai]

Well, lots of people put themselves through all kinds of training, computers, nursing, etc. Heck, why not?