Reserve Police Officer

[Guest mds3d]

So, I have a question.

Has anyone ever served as a reserve LEO without the goal of joining the force? It seems as though the local department uses the reserves as a hiring pool, but that would definitely not be my goal.

My grandfather organized his town's Auxiliary police after WWII (which was recently renamed police reserve). My career goal is very different from becoming a LEO, but I thought that serving as a reserve officer would be an appropriate way to honor the values passed to me by my grandfather.

Any thoughts?

[jcj]

Yep. Worked every other weekend as a reserve officer for my county a few years back just for the sake of helping out. I'm a computer science major so it had nothing to do with my career goals, but it was a valuable learning experience.

[Punisher84]

I'm currently going through the application process with SCSO and I haven't decided one way or the other. I would, most likely, take a full-time job if offered one right now, but if something else came up while I was still a reserve then I may go another path and just stay reserves. I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

I was looking into the Reserves as well, just to get the experience. I think it might be something I would like to do as a "career-change" a decade or so down the road, and I would like to solidify that.

[kb4ns]

All of the departments with reserves have plenty of reserves with no intentions of going full time. In Bartlett, there are about 14 or 16 reserve officers. To my knowledge, only one wants to go full time. The rest are quite content with reserve work (probably because their full time job pays better!). Since I was hired in Bartlett, we've probably hired 25 or so officers. Only one was from the reserve division.

[Guest db99wj]

Do the reserves pay? I would consider doing it, but I would need to be paid for my time. My goal would not be to go full time, it would be like what I did when I was in the National Guard.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

I was reading, and one of the programs around here paid during your second year. A "monthly stipend". It didn't say how much.

[Guest CharlieMemphis]

Since being a Badge Carrying LEO would one fall under HR 218 the police nationwide carry bill

[Punisher84]

Since being a Badge Carrying LEO would one fall under HR 218 the police nationwide carry bill

That was discussed in another thread and the general consensus was yes.

[kb4ns]

Do the reserves pay?

Sure do! A whole dollar a year at all of the departments in Shelby County. The only reason they do that is so you're considered an "employee" and can get health insurance benefits. Many reserves are self-employed and at least partially in it for the insurance (some are only in it for the insurance). Most smaller departments in surrounding counties don't offer the insurance benefits.

[Guest db99wj]

Sure do! A whole dollar a year at all of the departments in Shelby County. The only reason they do that is so you're considered an "employee" and can get health insurance benefits. Many reserves are self-employed and at least partially in it for the insurance (some are only in it for the insurance). Most smaller departments in surrounding counties don't offer the insurance benefits.

Hmm, insurance....for what I spend currently.......carry the one.....divide by 12.....damn! Man, might have to look into that.

[kb4ns]

Hmm, insurance....for what I spend currently.......carry the one.....divide by 12.....damn! Man, might have to look into that.

They get their money's worth for the insurance, though. Six months of academy two or three nights a week and all day Saturday...

[EMTRN]

When I was in college I had insurance through Shelby County, it was worth it. I love my reserve job. I have no intention of going full time. I am an Emergency Room RN in real life. I love both of my jobs and I am grateful for the chance to do both of them.

[kb4ns]

When I was in college I had insurance through Shelby County, it was worth it. I love my reserve job. I have no intention of going full time. I am an Emergency Room RN in real life. I love both of my jobs and I am grateful for the chance to do both of them.

Are you a reserve in real life, or does Ricky have you on some kind of fantasy program?

[EMTRN]

LMAO! It would only be a fantasy if you were still there!

[kb4ns]

LMAO! It would only be a fantasy if you were still there!

[Guest Ae-35]

I did it 2 years for the fun of it, and it looked good for the community service part, for making Chief. Then ,when I got out, and my Sgt. found out, I got offered a full time job. Dual edge sword, some Leo's like the help, (once you've proved yourself) and others resent you ,because they buy the union line, that if there were no reserves, the dept. would have to hire more full-time Leo's.

[EMTRN]

Many departments can't afford to hire more full timers. Many times it is just myself and a full time officer working in a town that should have 6 or 7 working at a time.

[Pain103]

I know several reserve officers who don't wish to become full time LEO. Mainly because they have a decent civilian job that pays much better with less stress. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (used to be HR 218) doesn't apply to reserves per our State Attorney General.

Here is the link to opinion if you wish to read it. http://tennessee.gov/attorneygeneral/op/2005/op/op29.pdf

[EMTRN]

This opinion says it is "an open question." It does not say that reserves are not covered. Reserves qualify under federal law.

[kb4ns]

This opinion says it is "an open question." It does not say that reserves are not covered. Reserves qualify under federal law.

More specifically, it says "an open question" when he was asked if the department could prohibit the reserve officers form carrying off-duty.

From the opinion itself-

1. Part-time or reserve status does not disqualify officers from being considered

qualified law enforcement officers for the purpose of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of

2004.

(emphasis on "not" is mine)

The reserves that work for my department carry under the LEOSA with no gray area whatsoever as the department doesn't try to preclude them in any way.

[Pain103]

Oops guess my selective reading missed the "dis" in disqualify. Pay me no attention.

[Guest cjr]

I watched a program a few days ago about Shelby County Jail, you boys can keep anything to do with law enforcement in that County. I wondered why some folks talked about a BUG, now I understand.I thought Houston was bad

[kb4ns]

I watched a program a few days ago about Shelby County Jail, you boys can keep anything to do with law enforcement in that County. I wondered why some folks talked about a BUG, now I understand.I thought Houston was bad

All is fine as long as you carry a good BUG and a decent BUBUG. It's not that bad, though. I don't feel the need to carry a BUBUBUG...