Join the Sheriff's Reserve?

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Andrew Rothman

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I am seriously thinking about joining the county sheriff's volunteer reserve force.

Background on the department:
I live in Carver, County, MN:

* Population: 73,000* (Fast-growing)
* Area: 357 square miles*
* Sheriff's dept. serves 55,000 people (all but one city of 17,500 people* )
* Patrol staffing: (*)
1 Captain
6 Sergeants
22 Full-time deputies
10 Part-time deputies
30 Volunteer Reserve members
30 Volunteer Mounted Posse members (horse patrol)
2 Full-time shop mechanics

So that's like 34 full time equivalents to cover all that ground on three shifts. That's pretty thin.

According to the department's web site *
The Mounted Posse and Uniform Reserve are essential components of the Operations Division. Their primary purpose is to augment the full-time personnel of the Sheriff’s Office when responding to either man-made or natural disasters or other critical incidents. Activities would include but are not limited to:

Search and rescue
Disaster Assistance
Crime scene assistance
Crowd control
Park and water patrol
Click to expand...

They take the reserve program a lot more seriously than other departments I've seen. Reservists assist in :
* officer training
* crowd control (events, crime scenes)
* event security/contract security
* search and rescue
* Friday/Saturday "party patrol"

Getting started involves:
* application
* interview
* physical exam
* background check
* psych exam
* training

Training includes:
* Radio usage
* Search and rescue
* Traffic control
* Crowd control
* CPR and first aid
* Self defense/weapons retention

Background On Me:

I'm 34, wife and kids, computer professional. I'm NOT looking for a career in law enforcement ( I can't afford the pay cut), and this is not a "stepping stone" job for me.

At best, it is an opportunity to get involved, serve my community, and try something interesting.

And finally, my question:

On the other hand, would I be placing myself in the way of extra harm, while being required to be unarmed?

That's the big one. I can carry as a citizen, but not as a reserve volunteer. (They do carry aerosol spray and ASPs.)

I would be grateful for the thoughts of anyone who has done something similar, or from LEOs on the perception of such volunteers.

Thanks!

Matt
 
Matt:

Presently, I have a friend who works as a reserve officer for the McCloud County Sheriff. The duties sound very similar to what you describe from Carver. I was affiliated with a rural county in a different time, and state of mind. Times have changed so much, that probably doesn't apply to your question. Here are some things my friend does:

He drives around on a 4-wheeler at county parks and tells people to quiet down which makes him unpopular with people who are partying. Bottles and colorful metaphors are commonly thrown their way.

If things get out of hand, he can call for backup, but it's a crapshoot how long it will be until help arrives. He's on his own until then.

He carries an ASP baton, pepper spray, and a radio. That's it.

He's qualified with weapons, but will most likely never be issued them. He has none of his own.

All in all, it's like a security job with a stick. In fact, I call him a mall ninja.

In my opinion, if you want to do some civic duty, take the training to become an EMT and join a volunteer fire department. That training will be more useful in daily life also.

just my .02

Ryan
 
Another Oakie hit the nail on the head. When you put on a LEO type uniform, even though it may have "Reserve" emblazoned in dayglo orange letters, the only thing the BGs of this world will see is LEO, and they will treat you the same way they would any other. There is no reason to make yourself a defenseless target. Find a more enlightened department that trains and equips its reserve officers the same as its paid force. Your family will thank you for it if during the performance of your reserve duties, things go sour.

THE FIRST RULE OF GUNFIGHTING, HAVE A GUN!
 
Hmmm. I am beginning to see the wisdom of this view.

A friend is a reserve LAPD officer (and a filmmaker!) He is fully trained, fully armed, and gets paid as well!
 
Last edited:
When you put on a LEO type uniform, even though it may have "Reserve" emblazoned in dayglo orange letters, the only thing the BGs of this world will see is LEO, and they will treat you the same way they would any other. There is no reason to make yourself a defenseless target.
Click to expand...
What's the worry? There are those on this board who will tell you being a Cop is no more dangerous than washing dishes... ;) :neener: ;)
 
Local Sheriffs dept. utilizes volunteer deputies, they are armed.
Drawbacks: They supply the hat & holster. You buy the uniform, gun and Kevlar. No salary, tips or bonuses.
 
How to Become a Peace Officer in Minnesota

Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Requirements
Information for Prospective Students


The Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board) coordinates a system of licensing for all Peace Officers in the state. Any person employed as a Peace Officer by a Minnesota law enforcement agency must hold a POST Board license. In order to be licensed by the POST Board, prospective Peace Officers must pass certain selection criteria and meet specific education requirements. A three-step procedure for attaining a Minnesota Peace Officer license is as follows:

STEP 1: PROFESSIONAL PEACE OFFICER EDUCATION (PPOE)


· To become eligible for a Minnesota Peace Officer License, students must earn a two- or four-year degree from one of twenty POST-certified Peace Officer education programs (list available). Interested individuals should contact any of the PPOE program coordinators for enrollment information. The coordinator can explain more about the program at that school and whether or not any previous course work may be applied toward their program.
· Individuals who hold a two- or four-year degree from a non-POST certified school or out-of-state educational institution are not required to complete another degree program. These individuals are eligible to complete a certificate program of study which generally requires the completion of only the law enforcement education courses. Contact program coordinators for more information.
Participation Requirements for Admission to a PPOE Program (Minnesota Rules 6700.0300 Subp.5)
No student may be admitted to a professional Peace Officer education program who:
1. Poses a serious threat to the health or safety of themselves or others;
2. Has been convicted of any crime listed as a disqualification from appointment to the position of peace officer under part 6700.0700.

Minimum Selection Standards for Hiring a Person Eligible for Licensing by Law Enforcement Agencies (Minnesota Rules 6700.0700)

Applicants should also be aware of the Minimum Selection Standards for hiring a person eligible for licensing by law enforcement agencies. The following is a summary of those standards as set forth in Minnesota Rules 6700.0700.
The applicant must:
1. Be a citizen of the United States;
2. Possess a valid driver's license or be eligible to obtain such in Minnesota or in case of residency therein, a valid driver's license from a contiguous state; or eligibility to obtain either license;
3. Complete a comprehensive written application;
4. Submit to a thorough background investigation;
5. Not have been convicted of a felony or under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.224, 609.2242, 609.231, 609.2325, 609.233, 609.2335, 609.234, 609.324, 609.465, 609.466, 609.52, or 609.72, subdivision 3; or convicted under any state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law irrespective or any proceeding under Minnesota Statues, section 152.18, or any similar law of another state or federal law; or any of the crimes listed in this item in another state or federal jurisdiction, or under a local ordinance that would be a conviction if committed in Minnesota;
6. Be fingerprinted for background check;
7. Undergo a thorough medical examination;
8. Undergo an evaluation by a licensed psychologist;
9. Pass a job-related examination of physical strength and agility;
10. Successfully complete an oral examination demonstrating communication skills.

STEP 2: PEACE OFFICER LICENSING EXAMINATION

After successfully completing the degree program, or the certificate program, students must pass the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination.
"Violations of the following standards," according to Minnesota Rules 6700.0601, "shall be grounds to deny an applicant to take an examination or to deny eligibility for a license."
The standards are summarized as follows:
1. Making any false material statement to the Board;
2. Communicating with any other person during the examination;
3. Unauthorized reference to books or study materials during the examination;
4. Obstructing a Board investigation;
5. Unauthorized possession of any Board examination;
6. Aiding another person in the violation of the above standards;
7. Has been convicted of any crime listed as a disqualification from appointment to the position of peace officer under part 6700.0700, subpart 1, item E.

STEP 3: ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSURE

Students who have successfully completed the required PPOE and passed the Peace Officer Licensing Examination are termed "eligible to be licensed." However, completing the education requirements and passing the licensing examination does not result in licensure. Individuals who are "eligible to be licensed" are not licensed until they are hired by a law enforcement agency and can satisfy the Minimum Selection Standards listed earlier. In their hiring process a law enforcement agency may apply its own additional standards. The hiring agency also determines the physical standards its own personnel must meet.



Degree Program

Step 1:

Complete a two or four year Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice
degree through a Professional Peace Officer Education program

Step 2:

Pass the POST Licensing Exam

Timeline:
Approximately two to four years minimum depending on program

_____________________________________________________

Certificate Program

Step 1:

Possess a two or four year degree in any discipline

Step 2:

Complete Law Enforcement certificate courses through
a Professional Peace Officer Education program
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/Newpost/PPOE Programs October 2003.htm

Step 3:

Pass the POST Licensing Exam

Timeline:
Approximately nine months or more depending on student

_____________________________________________


Out of State Reciprocity

Step 1:

Complete POST-approved basic police education plus one year of
continuous law enforcement experience served within the previous six years

Step 2:

Pass the POST Reciprocity Exam

Timeline:
Approximately two months to conclude qualification procedure and testing

______________________________________________


Military Reciprocity

Step 1:

Possess five years of military police experience plus an honorable discharge

Step 2:

Pass the POST Reciprocity Exam

Timeline:

Approximately two months to finish qualification procedure and testing
_________________________________________

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Glass at 651.643-3070.

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/newpost/license.asp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's what's required to be an Armed Police Officer in Minnesota.
 
That's what's required to be an Armed Police Officer in Minnesota.
Click to expand...

Generalyy, but there is a provision for part-time officers:
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us:...R+BY+SORT_KEY/Ascend&M=138&K=626.8461&R=Y&U=1

The legislature finds and declares that it is necessary to
establish minimum training requirements for part-time peace
officers in certain specified areas to maximize protection of
the rights and safety of the public and to minimize liability on
the part of Minnesota counties and municipalities. The
legislature further finds that part-time peace officers are most
effectively utilized as a supplement to regular, fully trained
and licensed, peace officers and does not encourage the use of
part-time peace officers when needs for service would otherwise
justify the use of peace officers.
Click to expand...

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us:...R+BY+SORT_KEY/Ascend&M=139&K=626.8462&R=Y&U=1

Part-time peace officer licensing examinations shall be
designed to insure competency in the following areas reasonably
achievable in courses within a total hourly maximum of 80 hours:
...(1) permissible use of force by peace officers, including
deadly force;....
Click to expand...


http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us:...R+BY+SORT_KEY/Ascend&M=140&K=626.8463&R=Y&U=1

...successfully completed board recognized courses in
first aid and firearms training, including legal limitations on
the justifiable use of deadly force...
Click to expand...

So if they chose, they could "hire" reservists with 80 hours of training and arm them. I guess they choose not to.
 
So if they chose, they could "hire" reservists with 80 hours of training and arm them. I guess they choose not to.
Click to expand...
From what I can understand (based on conversations) MN has been in the process of phasing out part-time licenses in favor of full-time licenses only (for the purpose of a higher standard of training). MN phased out "Constables" many years ago for this reason too. MN is not the only state to do so, others have too. From checking around on state requirements MN seems to have some of the highest standards, and has for quite some time. Interestingly enough, CA has a POST board too, but quiet a bit of difference in requirments and how it operates. Good luck with what ever you decide Mpayne.
All the best

TBO
 
Further conversation and checking shows that MN is apparently fazing out part-time licenses. I asked why they still have the law on the books and it was explained that while no new part-time licenses have been issued in quite sometime (10+ years?) there are still those working who attained part-time licenses before then. The law will stay on the books until all of them are either retired or expired. Then the part-time license statute will be expunged.
 
Mpayne,

Your organization sounds much like the one I'm in.

The main difference that I can see is that we dont have a mounted posse, (we use 4 wheelers) and that we are armed.We qualify with the fulltimers and take the same training that they do.

You asked ;
On the other hand, would I be placing myself in the way of extra harm, while being required to be unarmed?

That depends on how they intend to use you. Surely they would give thought to that fact before asking you to intervene.

Im my case, we are Part Time Two certifed, meaning that we can recieve up to 20 hours of pay a week. As reserves, we generally dont get paid for patrolling but we do get paid for other functions such as security at sporting events, rodeos, extra security details and such.

We are treated no differently than full timers and we get dispatched to calls just as they do. We take reports, transfer prisoners, and get invoved on all of the fighting, domestic disputes, shootings,pursuits and all of the other fun stuff. Of course we are armed. I would not ask anyone to participate in the events that we do without being armed.

As for participating, we have 30 fulltimers and 20 reserves. Since we have rotating shifts, when vaction time or holidays hit, we might only have 1 or 2 deputys per shift. At these times you will be busy getting dispatched to various calls or backing them up on theirs. At times it can be hectic. Others times it can be downright boring and at other times it can be exhilarating.

As for the aresol sprays and the ASP's...they are better than nothing. At least it can allow you to escape if things go wrong. I would expect that they be used more for defensive purposes in your case.

When wearing a uniform, few people actually take the time to differentiate between who is who or what is what. I'm on the Sherrif Dept and we wear campaign hats(smokey the beat hats) as does our state police. You'd be suprised how often people mix us up, even though we wear different uniforms and the cars look totally different.

Will you patrol by yourself or will you have to ride with a full timer officer ?Do you have to supply your own stuff ?
 
Aw c'mon, TBO, you know what I meant:

What was it Yogi Berra said? Something like, "In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice; in practice, there's a big difference".
 
UPDATE:

Last year didn't work out for a multitude of reasons, but I took the oral exam this year and am now proceeding toward the next steps of the process: background check, physical, psych, and (unpaid) "hire."

Since I have a clean past and a healthy mind and body, I can only assume that things will move forward.

I'll see the "background packet" I get to fill out tonight.

I did learn a few details: I am priveleged to purchase my own uniforms, leather, equipment, and vest.

A quick browse through Streicher's web site (www.streichers.com) seems to show that I can be minimally equipped (leather, gear, two shirts and trousers) for a mere $740 or so...

Am I nuts to continue?
 
I served as a reserver officer in my county's Sheriff Dept for 4 years, we were trained and certified by the state and were fully commissioned law enforcement officers, and we were armed. A few years later I was between positions and took a job as a full time paid Deputy and served in that position for another 4 years, I never intended for this to happen, that's just the way it worked out.

Just my 2 Cents...
When you put on a law enforcement officer's uniform you paint a large bullseye on your back, you and I can't see it, but the bad guys can, and they don't care if you are armed or not. There is no way I would put on a law enforcement officer's uniform and be unarmed.
 
Not to be a downer, but I agree with everyone who said it was a bad idea to be uniformed but not armed. You ARE going to be wearing a uniform and you ARE going to be putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations.

And honestly, what are you going to spend a lot of time doing? I would _guess_ you'll be spending more time hollering at drunk people in parks than actually doing things like search and rescue. I'm not sure if I would want to put myself in danger for that.

I agree that you could do a lot more good and be in a better situation if you were a volunteer EMT. You would be helping sick and injured people. Plus you wouldn't have as much potential for trouble while unarmed. My two cents...
 
Look at all the routine traffic stops where the motorist opens fire on the cop. If you don't have a gun and EVER run into a felon with a warrent he is going to kill you before he goes back to jail. You don't even have to know he's wanted. Your going to walk up to some guy drinking in public, he's going to see the uniform, and your family's going to be deciding on a funeral home.

And he isn't going to give a flying flip about your mace, or that you're a reserve officer, or that you weren't going to arrest him. All he's going to see is the uniform.

If you put on a LE uniform and approach questionable people without a firearm to defend yourself then don't even think about complaining about what happens to you because you've been warned.
 
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