Reserve Police officer

[Sizzlechest]

For LEO on the site, I've been interested in joining my local PD or Sheriff's dept as a reservist. So far I've had very limited luck searching the websites and have not had a response to my emails from the agencies. I wanted to find out from active LEO'S some general info about what being a reserve officer entails. I'm mostly interested in serving my community in capacity that I know I would enjoy. Thanks.

[1911su16b870]

If you are interested in becoming a reservist, I would first make sure you are at a point in your life where your relationships will be on board for you to do so. You can take a PC832 Laws of Arrest class at community college (check the POST web site for course offerings) as an introduction.

If you are really serious about becoming a reserve, I would recommend completing a reserve police academy and graduating with your level 1 POST certificate. You would then be able to plug into most police departments that have a reserve program after completing their entrance exam, PAT, back ground and psych. Overall the process with take 2 or more years.

Good luck in your research and journey!

[jmatt511]

I commend you for wanting to be part of the answer. We can always good people who, although they may not want the life a full time peace officer has, has a sense of duty to volunteer their personal time. Go on a couple of ride a longs. Some departments utilize their reserves as front desk personnel, while others allow Level 2-3 reserves out on patrol. Good luck and stay safe.

[TrailerparkTrash]

This topic has been brought up before and is not intended to inflame, but here it goes anyway. You asked for opinions and I'm kindly giving you just one. I don't profess to be the end-all know it all for reserves, I just have an opinion to share, since you're soliciting for them.

Know ahead of time that most (not all) "regulars" think that reserves just get in the way and cause more problems in the field, only to have a "regular" show up to the scene, just to un-F*** the situation that was started by that reserve.
Some don't want to hear that, but I'm telling you that's how it's perceived by many many regulars.

Years ago as a newbie on training, I was warned by my FTO's to (and I'll never forget these words) "stay away from those reserves 'X' and 'Y', because they'll hand you a 'EFF'N soup sandwich!"

Over the years, I saw and learned first hand, how correct those wise words were.

I personally have a family member and a good friend of mine that are both active reserves. One has been a reserve for over 25 years and the other 10 years. I wouldn't want either one of them ever showing up to my calls. It's nothing personal about them or the thousands of others volunteer reserves. it's just that a "part time" volunteer cop (reserve) never gets the same exposure and on the job experience that a "regular" gets on a daily basis. Hence, the reserves are always "new" on the job and everything about their handling of situations is generally seriously "lacking."

Personally, Theres a few other professions that I wouldn't want to be "served" by either. Doctors, surgeons and firefighters are a few professionals that come to mind. Really, many regulars think that a reserve most of the time just gets in the way of things and wants to go "play" cop, while the rest of us do it as a full time career.

That's just me though and my own opinions. ...and how EVERYONE else that I work with on my shift feels about them too.

Again, you asked and I gave .02 cents worth of personal "civil" opinion on the topic. Others however, feel completely different about reserves and I respect their own opinions about them. . Again, it's NOTHING personal about the individual.

Go ahead, now bring on the hate.

[steve92407]

Wow pretty harsh. I will apologize for the above comments towards reserves. working for the largest county i depended on reserves many many times to cover my butt. I recall as a patrol deputy at Fontana substation we covered an area larger than the city of San bernardino. Many graveyard shifts we had only 2 or 3 one man cars and a sgt that would never leave the office. You could not depend on the city or chp officers to back you. Calling in a reserve for rover added one more unit on the street. I will tell you what, that unpaid reserve or posse deputy you could count on.
I do not know what is like being a big city cop . OP if your in the IE SBSO deputys will appreciate you.
My first day in fontana i learned " everybodys a tuff guy till you meet one" I would take all the help i could get.

[TrailerparkTrash]

Wow pretty harsh. I will apologize for the above comments towards reserves.

I don't speak for you, so I'd kindly ask that you don't speak for me.

[Honey nut]

Go for a ride along, go witness how it is during a typical academy day, better yet go witness how black Monday or how Black Friday is. Be sure you are physically fit and hope to get hired.

[steve92407]

You said "bring on the hate" so keep taking down reserves. Keep pounding your chest. I did not speak for you.I only made a comment and am embarrassed by your comments toward reserve officers. You hold yourself in pretty high regard.Very sad, how about a little humility.

[pitbuljake]

[WyattandDoc]

This topic has been brought up before and is not intended to inflame, but here it goes anyway. You asked for opinions and I'm kindly giving you just one. I don't profess to be the end-all know it all for reserves, I just have an opinion to share, since you're soliciting for them.

Know ahead of time that most (not all) "regulars" think that reserves just get in the way and cause more problems in the field, only to have a "regular" show up to the scene, just to un-F*** the situation that was started by that reserve.
Some don't want to hear that, but I'm telling you that's how it's perceived by many many regulars.

Years ago as a newbie on training, I was warned by my FTO's to (and I'll never forget these words) "stay away from those reserves 'X' and 'Y', because they'll hand you a 'EFF'N soup sandwich!"

Over the years, I saw and learned first hand, how correct those wise words were.

I personally have a family member and a good friend of mine that are both active reserves. One has been a reserve for over 25 years and the other 10 years. I wouldn't want either one of them ever showing up to my calls. It's nothing personal about them or the thousands of others volunteer reserves. it's just that a "part time" volunteer cop (reserve) never gets the same exposure and on the job experience that a "regular" gets on a daily basis. Hence, the reserves are always "new" on the job and everything about their handling of situations is generally seriously "lacking."

Personally, Theres a few other professions that I wouldn't want to be "served" by either. Doctors, surgeons and firefighters are a few professionals that come to mind. Really, many regulars think that a reserve most of the time just gets in the way of things and wants to go "play" cop, while the rest of us do it as a full time career.

That's just me though and my own opinions. ...and how EVERYONE else that I work with on my shift feels about them too.

Again, you asked and I gave .02 cents worth of personal "civil" opinion on the topic. Others however, feel completely different about reserves and I respect their own opinions about them. . Again, it's NOTHING personal about the individual.

Go ahead, now bring on the hate.

Sorry, but I'll have to join you with being unpopular. LEO Reservists should not exist, unless they were full time for a minimum of 10 years (And even then I'm not a fan). LE is not a weekend job. Hell, us full time guys have to get back in sync after a vacation. All skills are persishable. Officer Safety skills included. EVERY Reserve I've worked with in 29 years was a train wreck as far as officer safety. It's either in your blood to do full time or it's not. There are Tons a full timers who should never be in a radio car much less a Pharmacist.

OP,,,Your want to serve your community is admirable, but there are many other ways to do good. Sorry for the negativity to your thread, but it's reality.

[daorozco86]

Wow some of these posts sure reinforce the "us against them" attitude that some LEO have. What's sad is that it also exists between themselves.

[WyattandDoc]

Wow some of these posts sure reinforce the "us against them" attitude that some LEO have. What's sad is that it also exists between themselves.

Has absolutely nothing to do with your perceived us against them. Unless you have some personal experience, your post is worthless.

Because I know how to change a tire and took a mechanics course, how do you think Dale Earnhardt's pit crew would feel if I was slotted in once a month as part of their team?

[steve92407]

Wow you two just keep it rolling. I apologize to you pitbuljake and daorozco86. Wyattanddoc your condescending remarks towards daorozco86 and reserves are very elitist. It does reinforce the "us against them". I hope this is not a reflection of most leos.

21 years federal after 10 years local,maybe i am old and out of touch.

[Arrieta578]

[TrailerparkTrash]

Trailerparktrash;
As a former reserve police officer I have to say that is pretty sad that you and most if not all of the regulars at your agency feel that way.

You know the old saying related to "experience" of "walk a mile in my shoes...." ??? Well, for a reserve to walk that mile, it would take him years because he only works one or two days per month. Pitbuljake, you've never been a full-timer and I wouldn't expect you to fully understand.

This inexperience is quite evident when a reserve is in the field and can't handle a situation and needs a regular to un-screw it for him. Sadly, this happens often due to the reserves lack of daily experience of handling calls and situations on a regular basis.

If one wants to play "cop" and not be a "play cop," then go full time and make the commitment. Otherwise, you'll just be looked at as "just another reserve."

Would anyone honestly settle for a "reserve" or "part-time" (aka: less experienced) brain surgeon working on you on the operating table? How about a "part-time" (aka: less experienced) airline pilot flying you and your family over Greenland at night with engine problems and in bad weather? Wouldn't you want seasoned and experienced paid professionals handling matters of life and death? Well, that's what I want with cops. I want paid professionals that get their hands dirty 40-hrs per week with true experience. These "part-timers" (reserves) don't have the same daily training and experience opportunities afforded to them and it shows. Again, it's nothing personal.

I take it the OP still wants honest opinions here.

Wow you two just keep it rolling. I apologize to you pitbuljake and daorozco86. Wyattanddoc your condescending remarks towards daorozco86 and reserves are very elitist. It does reinforce the "us against them". I hope this is not a reflection of most leos.

21 years federal after 10 years local,maybe i am old and out of touch.

21 years "federal" has nothing to do with "reserve" police officers. Again, ..... showing a lack of experience.

You said "bring on the hate" so keep taking down reserves. Keep pounding your chest. I did not speak for you.I only made a comment and am embarrassed by your comments toward reserve officers. You hold yourself in pretty high regard.Very sad, how about a little humility.

No Steve, I don't hold myself in high regard. I hold myself to knowing and seeing the difference between experienced and inexperienced, trying to do a professional's job and doing it well at best. If someone wants to play cop, make the commitment. Do it full time. Likewise, don't send in a high school varsity football team and expect them to win when up against NFL opponents.