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I missed the boat getting into law enforcement. I have a great job now but I still have the itch. I've recently come across sheriff reserves as an option for me. Anyone have any experience???
Essentially, from my understaning, it's like being a volunteer fireman, only you're not putting out fires, you're a leo...kind...
The duties of a 'reserve' or 'auxillary' will vary greatly from agency to agency. Find out what yours will allow you do to.
I have been a reserve officer for close to 7 years and, while I really enjoy working with the department in this capacity and have no immediate plans of giving it up, I also have no real desire to do it full time.
Spend some time with them and I promise you'll gain a new appreciation for what they do.
Randy
May I ask why you think you have "missed the boat" for LEO? Is it just not an option anymore due to your current career? To answer your question more completely I would need some more information, but with what you have said I can give you *some* information. For most Sheriff reserve deputy programs, you must go through the same LEO certification training as a regular full time deputy. This means approximately 6 months of training, and that means 6 months off of work at your current job. This may be flexible, but most departments that I have experience with do NOT pay you to go to the academy, and most academies are an all-day, every-day (M-F)type of thing. Many departments require that you put in at least 20 hours per month in patrol with a full time LEO. Once again, this varies depending on the department, but most departments have these requirements. You are correct about it being a volunteer position, but the "hiring process" is the same as for full time LEOs in most cases. There will be a physical test, written test, interview, background investigation, chief's interview, psychological examination, polygraph examination, and drug examination. Count on those. Once you are through, it can be quite nice, but it's not something to take lightly or think that you'll "just apply because it sounds fun". The selection process is still stressful, and the training even more so. Good luck.
Reserve programs are as different as each dept. and state.
In my state,there are many small towns that have a couple of full time officers and a several Reserves. My county is full of them. Most of the time, the full timers are there during the day, the rest of the time it is being staffed by Reserves. In some towns, if it weren't for the Reserves, there were be none on duty during the off hours.
I worked with a town Marshal for years thinking he was full time. Not too long ago I found out he was a Reserve. I couldn't believe it...as he is that towns principal Investigator.I worked accidents, manhunts, even backed him up on several calls, the whole bit.
All of them do their own patrols, have powers of arrest,are sworn and do everything that any LEO does. They carry rifles, shotguns, go all over the state for various duties,and most of the ones I know are respected.They do court duty, transfer prisoners, respond to page-outs, do man hunts, emergency's,work with other LE agency's on field sobriety checkpoints, do high risk felony warrants, and even get used for various undercover details.Some have even been in shootouts.
My dept has 25 Reserves, and they are classed as Part Time, due to the training.They get certified in Spray,Tazer, and receive the same training as the full time officers, of which there are 25 of. Once they get out of the academy,which the dept pays for, they undergo 150 hours of FTO with another officer. Then they can patrol by themselves and are expected to be able function alone.
There are several ex LEO's on it, mostly guys that loved the job but quit for the ridiculously low wages to pursue other jobs. In fact as far as I know, all of our Reserves make several times more than the highest paid officer. Legally, they can get paid up to 20 hours a week before they have to be certified at a higher level. They get paid for special functions,and most of their equipment is furnished.
The thing is, here in the south they are used much differently than up North, where some of them are little more than parking lot attendants with no powers or arrest, different uniforms, no gun, and not much respect. Alot of what they do is dictated by state statutes or in some cases dept. policy.
Like anything else, it will be what you make of it.
Research it and see what you can and cant do. You will either love it or hate it.
I'll have more information on the details soon but I will add this..
Training is part time evenings for 6 months starting January.
I will be responsible for all of my gear, uniforms, weapons, etc. They pay for nothing.
From what I hear most of the duties will be crowd control, escort, etc.
I heard typical reserves work about 120 hours a year...which doens't sound like much.
and to answer the missing the boat question....My current job is paying me very well with little work, and i enjoy the work that is required. Not to say that money is everything but I don't think I'll make six figures as an leo. That's why the idea of being able to still serve the community and keep my job and current pay sounds really enticing.
Thanks everyone!
I was involved with the sheriff's reserves and later started up and recruited for a local police dept. The reserves were given a chance to go full time with our departments when an opening came up. They were trained just like the regulars. They were and still are required to do the same job as a full time officer including going to court.
Both of my departments paid for the training and the academy was given at night.
I have worked for a city PD reserve program for over two years now. In Arkansas you have to attend a certification class which is a min 160 hours I believe, ours was 176 hours. It was taken two nights a week and about every other weekend and normally takes 3 to 6 months to complete. The city picks up school and supplies everything but you boots. The county reserve officers in class have to supply just about everything, so it will vary for each department.
The requirements vary by department also. We work crowd control for highschool events and most local events, and are required to ride along with a full time officer 16 hours a month. After a probation year and with Sgt. reccomendation and cheif approval you are allow to ride alone on any short shift. And we can fill in part time up 20 hours a week before have to go to the state acadmey.
Your use and the respect you get depends on your department and you.
here's the website if anyone's interested:
http://www.acsdreserve.org/
Just do it! I don't think you will regret it.
Oh I'm doin it!Quote:
Originally Posted by SonofASniper
Kicker is I have to wait until September to meet with the chief, January to start classroom training, and April to begin shooting.
I was in a Sheriff's Office reserve for 25 years. I spanned the time of 4 different elected Sheriff's (Apparently I get along with everyone!).
The Reserves are a good stepping stone if you want to pursue a career in LE. I could have moved along in any direction I wanted, but career-wise it wasn't a good financial move for me, I already had the opportunity of a family-owned business which I'm still involved in today. Actually I've gotten so busy that I couldn't really dedicate much time to the reserves so I "retired out" after exactly 25 years.
We, as reserves, did it all. We mostly subbed for others, or enhanced their presence with our additional numbers. We were also due to be called out in special emergencies. All good experience. Funny thing though, whenever I'm out in public, I still feel like "I'm on patrol".
A lot of people have asked me why I was in the reserves for so long. My serving as a reserve deputy for 25 years, was my way of paying back my community for my 2-S deferrnent during the Viet Nam War. It allowed me to finish college. So now, I'm calling it even. :smile:
Good to hear..congratulations on your service and dedication.Quote:
Originally Posted by ppkheat
I too will likely never get into law enforcement professionaly due to having a good situation with my current work. I am a 1/4 owner of a pretty successful business.
Maybe in 2033 I'll be able to post what you just did!
PPKHEAT
:congrats:
Something, one thing I forgot to say the first time around. When I went through the cert class, I was in my mid 50's, one of the others in class going into the same department with me was in his early 60's. There was 16 people who started in the class, 2 quit and 2 started full time before the class finished. I was 2nd on the PT test, the poor old man finished mid pack. We were the highest two grades in the class and I was high shooter.
If you are good with people and want to put in the time and try, they will find a place for you no matter when you start and hang on to you even if you do not want to go full time ever.
In our reserve program you have two different types of people who get in, the young guys wanting to get started in LEO work, and the older guys who just want to help their coumminty and other officers. Of the ten reserves, we have one with about 25 year, one with 16 years, most are mid 30 to 40s and of course three new guys in their early 20's. The department does hire full time about 75% from the reserve program.
I hope this helps.