BigRedBowtie
Member
Matt, It seems the beef is over whether or not you might be armed in this position. Well, has that detail changed in a year and a half? If not, no thank you... I'll find another way to serve.
Join the Sheriff's Reserve?
- Thread starter Andrew Rothman
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Andrew Rothman
Member
Aw, heck. I'll just show them this thread, they'll see the light, and they'll let me ride armed, right? 
I think there's something there I don't know; I could swear that the reserve officer who set up the orals had a sidearm, and I know he's a full-time CPA. I suppose he might happen to have POST certification, but...
I think there's something there I don't know; I could swear that the reserve officer who set up the orals had a sidearm, and I know he's a full-time CPA. I suppose he might happen to have POST certification, but...
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Good on ya for even considering volunteer public service - far too few people are willing to make the sacrifice. I say go for it. I've been both fulltime and reserve. Dont let the lack of a firearm sway your desire to serve. The most important piece of kit you'll ever have is your mind. Everything else is accessories. Your head is far more important in keeping yourself whole than any 2 pound chunk of metal. Stupidity and machismo have killed plenty of cops, pistols dont prevent that..........
One potential issue that some departments face with reserves that probably dont apply in your situation - sometimes there are conflicts with labor contracts when it appears that agencies are using part-timers to reduce overtime and special duty work that many full timers rely on as part of their income. It's just political BS, but some fulltimers can get real snotty towards the "hobbycops." Screw'em and march on.
One potential issue that some departments face with reserves that probably dont apply in your situation - sometimes there are conflicts with labor contracts when it appears that agencies are using part-timers to reduce overtime and special duty work that many full timers rely on as part of their income. It's just political BS, but some fulltimers can get real snotty towards the "hobbycops." Screw'em and march on.
Matt
I have been a volunteer peace officer for 20 years. I worked for over 10 years for 1 department that disarmed us after a change in leadership.
Membership dropped from over 40 officers to less than 10. I jumped ship to a far better department. I enjoy doing this but I would never do this job unarmed. First, people figure that if you are unarmed you are not a real cop and totally ignore you. I was amazed at how differently we were treated by the public after we were disarmed. (Think mall security) Second, the bad guys don't care that you are volunteer or that you don't have a gun. OC and a ASP are great tools but not so great against a BG with a gun. Based on the size of your county you could be out there a looong time waiting for backup. We have nearly as many full time officers for a 2 sq mile village. Skip the unarmed reserves and join the rescue squad or the fire department.
If you do decide to become a reserve buy a vest and wear it EVERY time you go out. They are expensive (but cheaper than a funeral), hot and uncomfortable but think of it as a better kind of life insurance.
Also check out www.expresspolicesupply.com for uniforms and equipment. Their prices are pretty good and I've never had a problem with them. (ymmv)
Good luck.
I have been a volunteer peace officer for 20 years. I worked for over 10 years for 1 department that disarmed us after a change in leadership.
Membership dropped from over 40 officers to less than 10. I jumped ship to a far better department. I enjoy doing this but I would never do this job unarmed. First, people figure that if you are unarmed you are not a real cop and totally ignore you. I was amazed at how differently we were treated by the public after we were disarmed. (Think mall security) Second, the bad guys don't care that you are volunteer or that you don't have a gun. OC and a ASP are great tools but not so great against a BG with a gun. Based on the size of your county you could be out there a looong time waiting for backup. We have nearly as many full time officers for a 2 sq mile village. Skip the unarmed reserves and join the rescue squad or the fire department.If you do decide to become a reserve buy a vest and wear it EVERY time you go out. They are expensive (but cheaper than a funeral), hot and uncomfortable but think of it as a better kind of life insurance.
Also check out www.expresspolicesupply.com for uniforms and equipment. Their prices are pretty good and I've never had a problem with them. (ymmv)
Good luck.
Andrew Rothman
Member
Wow. Okay, I got the background packet. Fifty pages. Every job I've worked since I was 18 (That's 18 years of jobs). With dates, please. Explain any gaps 17 years ago.
Every place I've lived since birth. High school transcript (I believe they carved them on stone tablets back then). Ever got a speeding ticket? Ever get detention in high school? Omit nothing.
Yikes. Do I really want this that bad?
Every place I've lived since birth. High school transcript (I believe they carved them on stone tablets back then). Ever got a speeding ticket? Ever get detention in high school? Omit nothing.
Yikes. Do I really want this that bad?
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
You might want it that bad. I wouldn't. I suggest you spend the time with your wife and kids instead.
Once upon a time in the past when I was single I worked as a volunteer firefighter (on a 55' snorkel truck, with the same state training the full time paid guys got), put myself through the EMT course and ran rescue as a volunteer, and rode reserve (armed) with my small town PD. I wouldn't do it now.
You shoulda done this sort of thing before you took on family responsibilities IMHO. The time is an issue, the expenses are an issue, the physical wear and tear is an issue, and the emotional baggage that goes with doing it is IMHO an even bigger issue. If you want to volunteer for a thankless job, the parks and recreation folks need coaches for the kids' sports, pick your favorite and go for it. Or donate blood. But leave the street stuff alone, now. It's a bit late in life for that and you have other obligations. Put those first...
JMHO, YMMV. Your call...
Regards,
lpl/nc
Once upon a time in the past when I was single I worked as a volunteer firefighter (on a 55' snorkel truck, with the same state training the full time paid guys got), put myself through the EMT course and ran rescue as a volunteer, and rode reserve (armed) with my small town PD. I wouldn't do it now.
You shoulda done this sort of thing before you took on family responsibilities IMHO. The time is an issue, the expenses are an issue, the physical wear and tear is an issue, and the emotional baggage that goes with doing it is IMHO an even bigger issue. If you want to volunteer for a thankless job, the parks and recreation folks need coaches for the kids' sports, pick your favorite and go for it. Or donate blood. But leave the street stuff alone, now. It's a bit late in life for that and you have other obligations. Put those first...
JMHO, YMMV. Your call...
Regards,
lpl/nc
Matt,
I'd think real hard about putting myself in a law enforcement position being unarmed. As others have said earlier, you never know what you're going to come upon. I did the reserve stuff, both in the civilian sector and in the military. Once, while conducting a traffic stop, the driver got real nervous and fidgety. Long story, short, is that the driver was sitting on a loaded gun.
Not a situation I would want to be in again if unarmed. Another time while in the military, there was a "rash," (2 to be exact) of accidental discharges by the security police so the CO of the base took the weapons away. I stopped doing the reserve stuff. Within a week, they had an employee who had been fired from his position back on the base causing a problem. When they searched the vehicle, they found a rifle, scope, and ammo. BTW, his place of employment was next door to the child care center. Not a situation again to be faced with and not having a gun to defend yourself and other innocent folks.
Involvement in your community is a great thing to do and I encourage folks to do so. I would just seriously consider the inherent risks of law enforcement and whether or not to do that as an unarmed officer. Once you put on that uniform, you're a magnet for everything - good and bad.
Just my .02 here. Let us know what you decide.
I'd think real hard about putting myself in a law enforcement position being unarmed. As others have said earlier, you never know what you're going to come upon. I did the reserve stuff, both in the civilian sector and in the military. Once, while conducting a traffic stop, the driver got real nervous and fidgety. Long story, short, is that the driver was sitting on a loaded gun.
Not a situation I would want to be in again if unarmed. Another time while in the military, there was a "rash," (2 to be exact) of accidental discharges by the security police so the CO of the base took the weapons away. I stopped doing the reserve stuff. Within a week, they had an employee who had been fired from his position back on the base causing a problem. When they searched the vehicle, they found a rifle, scope, and ammo. BTW, his place of employment was next door to the child care center. Not a situation again to be faced with and not having a gun to defend yourself and other innocent folks.Involvement in your community is a great thing to do and I encourage folks to do so. I would just seriously consider the inherent risks of law enforcement and whether or not to do that as an unarmed officer. Once you put on that uniform, you're a magnet for everything - good and bad.
Just my .02 here. Let us know what you decide.
I wouldnt complain about a long personal history form - it screens out the ninjas and those who are'nt serious. It indicates that they are serious about getting quality people and wont take every yutz who has a pulse.
Again, a gun doesnt make you safe. An idiot with a gun is an armed idiot, nothing more. If the position is unarmed a good agency will not deliberately expose you to those types of situations where gunplay is more likely than not. They shouldnt be having you doing vehicle stops and responding to domestics. They most likely have clear directives about NOT getting involved in situations that you are not equipped to deal with. I would find it very, very hard to believe that you would be doing "normal" police work. Thousands upon thousands of security officers, community service officers, public safety assistants are able to make a difference without being armed.
Now it is a different story if they want you solo in a cruiser handling every call that comes in - then by all means I wouldnt do it unarmed.
You have a decision to make. You have to decide if you are willing to make some sacrifices while trying to make your community a better place for others, not everyone is. Do you want the position to serve others, or as a chance to play cop and carry?
Again, a gun doesnt make you safe. An idiot with a gun is an armed idiot, nothing more. If the position is unarmed a good agency will not deliberately expose you to those types of situations where gunplay is more likely than not. They shouldnt be having you doing vehicle stops and responding to domestics. They most likely have clear directives about NOT getting involved in situations that you are not equipped to deal with. I would find it very, very hard to believe that you would be doing "normal" police work. Thousands upon thousands of security officers, community service officers, public safety assistants are able to make a difference without being armed.
Now it is a different story if they want you solo in a cruiser handling every call that comes in - then by all means I wouldnt do it unarmed.
You have a decision to make. You have to decide if you are willing to make some sacrifices while trying to make your community a better place for others, not everyone is. Do you want the position to serve others, or as a chance to play cop and carry?
firesafety3
Member
Matt-
Been there...done that. Also served as Safety Officer in our volunteer Fire Dept. for a few years. We received a small payment each quarter but I always endorsed the check and handed it back. That wasn't what I was there for.
It's always admirable to try to help and get involved in your community. Whatever you do, don't go through with it for any thanks or appreciation. It's not easy, never convenient, not cheap, and always dangerous. 30 years ago it was a different world. Now you are assaulted by kids who think it's fun or want to impress their girlfriend. There's not much respect for law enforcement anymore and, to the contrary, there is stigma around the badge.
It sounds like you are going through with it so...good luck. Apologize to your family in advance for the time you must spend away from them (there is usually a minimum of hours per week/month you must actively serve).
Good advice the other guys gave here, as usual. For the record, I was able to make much more of a difference with the Fire Dept. and enjoyed a brotherhood that lasts to this day.
Been there...done that. Also served as Safety Officer in our volunteer Fire Dept. for a few years. We received a small payment each quarter but I always endorsed the check and handed it back. That wasn't what I was there for.
It's always admirable to try to help and get involved in your community. Whatever you do, don't go through with it for any thanks or appreciation. It's not easy, never convenient, not cheap, and always dangerous. 30 years ago it was a different world. Now you are assaulted by kids who think it's fun or want to impress their girlfriend. There's not much respect for law enforcement anymore and, to the contrary, there is stigma around the badge.
It sounds like you are going through with it so...good luck. Apologize to your family in advance for the time you must spend away from them (there is usually a minimum of hours per week/month you must actively serve).
Good advice the other guys gave here, as usual. For the record, I was able to make much more of a difference with the Fire Dept. and enjoyed a brotherhood that lasts to this day.
Andrew Rothman
Member
Thank you very much, all of you, for the information and advice, both pro and con.
I think I will need to have another conversation with a current reserve officer -- find out the full and complete information about scope of duties.
From what I understand now, there are tasks -- search and rescue, directing traffic for community events and accident scenes, etc. -- that woud not require being armed.
There are other tasks, though, like this: Every Friday and Saturday, there is one squad car with two reserve deputies. They are expected to "back up" the full-time officers for the shift. I guess that means, somehow, never being first on the scene.
I just keep thinking of the traffic-stop-turned-deadly videos I have seen. Suspect shoots first officer, more officers arrive on the scene.
I don't think I'd like to be second on the scene, find a deputy bleeding on the ground, and be armed with pepper spray.
I'll let y'all know what I find out.
I think I will need to have another conversation with a current reserve officer -- find out the full and complete information about scope of duties.
From what I understand now, there are tasks -- search and rescue, directing traffic for community events and accident scenes, etc. -- that woud not require being armed.
There are other tasks, though, like this: Every Friday and Saturday, there is one squad car with two reserve deputies. They are expected to "back up" the full-time officers for the shift. I guess that means, somehow, never being first on the scene.
I just keep thinking of the traffic-stop-turned-deadly videos I have seen. Suspect shoots first officer, more officers arrive on the scene.
I don't think I'd like to be second on the scene, find a deputy bleeding on the ground, and be armed with pepper spray.
I'll let y'all know what I find out.
reserve officers?
Matt,
Take it from an old "salt", if you are even hesitating about joining the reserves by posting all these puerile blogs for "advice", don't join. Indecision is the mother of imprecision and can lead to unexpected death. Armed or unarmed is not the issue. One of your respondents came close to the truth: your mind is your best defense. I've carried a gun every day on and off duty for over 40 years. I've held hundreds at gun point and never shot anyone or had to use a gun in self-defense. I consider that a greater record than any number of notches on my grips. It's a great tool when applied wisely, but not the only tool. You have a lot to learn about human interaction. If you're not totally committed, without hesitation, you will find yourself lost in the forest of life.
jessej
fstssb
Matt,
Take it from an old "salt", if you are even hesitating about joining the reserves by posting all these puerile blogs for "advice", don't join. Indecision is the mother of imprecision and can lead to unexpected death. Armed or unarmed is not the issue. One of your respondents came close to the truth: your mind is your best defense. I've carried a gun every day on and off duty for over 40 years. I've held hundreds at gun point and never shot anyone or had to use a gun in self-defense. I consider that a greater record than any number of notches on my grips. It's a great tool when applied wisely, but not the only tool. You have a lot to learn about human interaction. If you're not totally committed, without hesitation, you will find yourself lost in the forest of life.
jessej
fstssb
molonlabe
Member
I did this type of work since 85 mostly as an EMT. I later went to a volunteer Fire Department and went through the fire academy. Over the years I progressed to an intermediate level EMT, starting IV’s and running first line cardiac, respiratory drugs. Until my health started to get in the way it was by far the most fulfilling aspect of my life. Over the years I helped a lot of people and lost some. If you can’t stand an accident scene then it may not be for you. I have been with people that have passed and brought their final messages to their loved ones. Carrying a gun may be cool but nothing ever compared or will compare to my fire service. I hope you’ll consider it since there is such a need for it in our communities. Contrary to what most people think 85 % of the fire service is volunteer service. You go through the same training and National registration as everyone else (depending on state).
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Rockrivr1
Member
As I was reading your post I was thinking that it sounded like a pretty good way to get some training and experience being in LE. That is until I read about you not being armed. That to me is crazy. They give you the responsibility to uphold the law, but not all the tools necessary to enforce the law.
In MA a reserve office carries a weapon just like a full time officer does and that is as it should be. A friend of mine is a reserve volunteer officer for a small town and he also had to buy his own uniforms and equipment. Then again, he's trying to become a full time officer so the experience is good for him.
I can't remember, but I think you posted that you already have a career and family. Time to think more about how your family will be effected if something should happen to you.
Good luck in your decision. I personnally think it's a bad idea.
In MA a reserve office carries a weapon just like a full time officer does and that is as it should be. A friend of mine is a reserve volunteer officer for a small town and he also had to buy his own uniforms and equipment. Then again, he's trying to become a full time officer so the experience is good for him.
I can't remember, but I think you posted that you already have a career and family. Time to think more about how your family will be effected if something should happen to you.
Good luck in your decision. I personnally think it's a bad idea.
Andrew Rothman
Member
Jessej ---
You're new here, so I won't take too much offense, but don't call my posts "puerile," and do not assume that you know the first thing about me, nor what I may or may not have to learn about human interaction. It's rude, it's presumptuous, and it's not the High Road. There are plenty of places on the Internet for you to act like a condescending jerk, but this ain't one of `em.
You say that you've carried every day, on and off duty, for 40 years, yet maintain that "armed or unarmed is not the issue."
Fine. You talk the talk, so why not walk the walk?
Try leaving the sidearm home for a month, and go about your work and personal life unarmed. Let us know how that goes for you.
I am further disgusted by your thinly veiled extrapolation that I am interested in putting notches on my belt. You know what, old salt? I've managed to carry for a few years too without feeling like shooting someone.
Oh, and while we're at it, the desire to go in fully informed is not the same thing as indecision.
And I've learned a lot from this thread -- among other things, that unarmed reserves are the exception rather than the rule. I've also gotten a lot of good insight from people whose opinions I've come to trust over the last couple of years.
One last thing: A universal truth about human interaction. "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything."
You're new here, so I won't take too much offense, but don't call my posts "puerile," and do not assume that you know the first thing about me, nor what I may or may not have to learn about human interaction. It's rude, it's presumptuous, and it's not the High Road. There are plenty of places on the Internet for you to act like a condescending jerk, but this ain't one of `em.
You say that you've carried every day, on and off duty, for 40 years, yet maintain that "armed or unarmed is not the issue."
Fine. You talk the talk, so why not walk the walk?
Try leaving the sidearm home for a month, and go about your work and personal life unarmed. Let us know how that goes for you.
I am further disgusted by your thinly veiled extrapolation that I am interested in putting notches on my belt. You know what, old salt? I've managed to carry for a few years too without feeling like shooting someone.
Oh, and while we're at it, the desire to go in fully informed is not the same thing as indecision.
And I've learned a lot from this thread -- among other things, that unarmed reserves are the exception rather than the rule. I've also gotten a lot of good insight from people whose opinions I've come to trust over the last couple of years.
One last thing: A universal truth about human interaction. "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything."
"Needing a gun" is kinda nebulous. I havent shot anybody in the 2 plus decades I've carried, so in that context I never "needed" it. If we realistically assess the level of threat most of us experience on a daily basis we hardly "need" guns at all. While it may be heresy, the numbers dont support the "need" argument. Violent crime is at an all-time low, and mmuch of the violence that still occurs happens between aquaintances.
Policing is safer than assumed by most people, and frankly, that illusion doesnt bother us in the field that much, hey, after all, it gets us babes. I likewise am constantly armed, but then part of my job is to go out and hunt bad guys, some of whom have their own guns. If my job is to direct traffic, or evacuate people after a disaster the need for a gun is not nearly as obvious. Sure, it could happen, but life is probabilities.
The state patrol where I'm at uses unarmed auxies who ride with the troopers, and they havent had any issues. Your attitude and approach will effect the outcome of any situation you get into more than the presence of a gun.
But hey, if you decide it isnt for you, that's your call. The important thing is you are willing to serve the community, even if it means being a hose-humper and converting someone's basement into an inground swimming pool or helming a bandaid buggy.
Policing is safer than assumed by most people, and frankly, that illusion doesnt bother us in the field that much, hey, after all, it gets us babes. I likewise am constantly armed, but then part of my job is to go out and hunt bad guys, some of whom have their own guns. If my job is to direct traffic, or evacuate people after a disaster the need for a gun is not nearly as obvious. Sure, it could happen, but life is probabilities.
The state patrol where I'm at uses unarmed auxies who ride with the troopers, and they havent had any issues. Your attitude and approach will effect the outcome of any situation you get into more than the presence of a gun.
But hey, if you decide it isnt for you, that's your call. The important thing is you are willing to serve the community, even if it means being a hose-humper and converting someone's basement into an inground swimming pool or helming a bandaid buggy.
Aguila Blanca
Member
I'd say the answer is "Yes." You would probably be placing yourself at risk. How much? Dunno.
I guess the volunteer reserve program varies by state, or maybe even by county. My cousin is a reserve officer for a county in Arizona. He's a sworn LEO, has an issue duty weapon, and carries said duty weapon any time he is on duty. I was quite amazed when I got to the part of your post that said reserve officers are unarmed. That does not sound like a good idea to me. Not good at all.
Search and rescue also doesn't require being a policeman. In my corner of the U.S. -- and I do mean my corner, not just my state or county, but this entire corner of the country -- SAR is mostly handled either by the fire departments, or by dedicated SAR units (which may be affiliated with or attached to fire departments, or which may be totally autonomous). Directing traffic only requires a yellow vest. Accident scenes? Around here the fire department directs traffic and the police write the reports on how long the skid marks were.
It appears to me that your county's priorities are a wee bit muddled.
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entropy
Member
Having grown up in the Twin Cities, raised by a cop, studied to be one, (Until finding out I couldn't because I have more than 20/60 uncorrected vision), and dated Police Explorers and Reserves, I noted that most Reserves fell into three catagories: Retired cops who didn't really want to retire; bugs (people who really want to be cops, but can't pass either the physical exam, (BTW, we've all seen your picture on here 
) or the psychological exam; or cops-in-training, people taking POST courses in college. I really don't recall anyone doing it to 'lend a hand' or doing'civic duty'. Perhaps some were.
Matt, I admire you for wanting to do it, but there is one other consideration; your family. When the SHTF, which is when they definitely call out the Reserves, you will be with them, unarmed , and your family will be ??? without the benefit of you being armed. Just my .02. Here ends my puerile post.
) or the psychological exam; or cops-in-training, people taking POST courses in college. I really don't recall anyone doing it to 'lend a hand' or doing'civic duty'. Perhaps some were.Matt, I admire you for wanting to do it, but there is one other consideration; your family. When the SHTF, which is when they definitely call out the Reserves, you will be with them, unarmed , and your family will be ??? without the benefit of you being armed. Just my .02. Here ends my puerile post.
Andrew Rothman
Member
Umm... Once, I had a picture of my face posted here, when we were all meeting at the Burnsville range.
And this department runs you through the full hiring process: physical, psych, background, the whole works.
Or maybe I'm completely missing the humor. Could be -- it's too darned early.
i wanted to help out by joining the local sheriff volunteers. they're about the same size as you listed; very similar overall, except you're a full-blown LEO and can carry.
i don't want to wear a uniform, and CCW already, so no advantage there to being LEO. i got to thinking about it, and decided there really was no advantage at all to doing this for me, it really would be just community service, which is fine.
then i saw the application and all, and decided that filling all that out wasn't worth it for me. instead, i've been finding other things to do, like giving talks at the local university.
believe me, matt, i know what you're thinking. i've seriously reconsidered several times in the past year. mostly, i'm still mildly interested because several of my friends (gun nuts) are full-time with the sheriffs dept. on the one hand, you'd think they'd make it easier for people to help. on the other, i guess i'm glad they're doing background checks on everyone before they let them put on uniforms.
i don't want to wear a uniform, and CCW already, so no advantage there to being LEO. i got to thinking about it, and decided there really was no advantage at all to doing this for me, it really would be just community service, which is fine.
then i saw the application and all, and decided that filling all that out wasn't worth it for me. instead, i've been finding other things to do, like giving talks at the local university.
believe me, matt, i know what you're thinking. i've seriously reconsidered several times in the past year. mostly, i'm still mildly interested because several of my friends (gun nuts) are full-time with the sheriffs dept. on the one hand, you'd think they'd make it easier for people to help. on the other, i guess i'm glad they're doing background checks on everyone before they let them put on uniforms.
entropy
Member
Well, it was early when I posted it, too. And I was in no way implying you were a bug, just that you didn't seem to fit any of the catagories. But I did mean the part about thinking about those you love, and where you'd be when the dung hits the oscillating blades.
Sounds like taliv has been where you are, and thought it through also.
And I was in no way implying you were a bug, just that you didn't seem to fit any of the catagories. But I did mean the part about thinking about those you love, and where you'd be when the dung hits the oscillating blades.Sounds like taliv has been where you are, and thought it through also.
Aguila Blanca
Member
My cousin is doing it to lend a hand. He was an LEO for awhile, shortly after returning from WW2 (That's correct -- he is currently 85 years old and serving as a volunteer deputy sheriff), then went on to a long and successful career in a non-LEO related business. After he retired he found he had time on his hands, wanted to do something constructive, so he went through the whole POST routine again, got himself qualified, and is now an unpaid volunter deputy. This is a man who couldn't care less about notches on his belt -- he was a fighter pilot in WW2 and in Korea, and flew military transports into Vietnam as a National Guard officer. He has nothing to prove, to himself or to anyone else.entropy said:
No, he is doing it because he saw that the department was short-handed, and thought he could help.
justice4all
Member
I carry 24/7 when outside the house. There's no way I would give this up to do unarmed, unpaid police work. Only you know what's right for you, but I think you'd be better off spending the extra time away from your real job with the wife and kids. Take them camping, teach them proper firearms safety, etc., but leave to policing to the pros who are paid and equipped for the task.
Andrew Rothman
Member
Yeah, me too. It would be quite ironic to be armed except when acting as a police officer.
I would do armed, unpaid police work in a minute. It's a noble calling, and would provide a genuine service to the community.
But if it's really unarmed, and really in potentially hazardous situations, I don't see it happening. I'll be having that conversation with the reserve Lieutenant.
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Andrew Rothman
Member
Okay, I called the reserve Lieutenant and got "the rest of the story."
Reserves participate in low-risk activities initially. They ferry cars, direct traffic, search and rescue, etc. As they complete training in...
* Radio usage
* Search and rescue
* Traffic control
* Crowd control
* CPR and first aid
* Self defense/weapons retention
...they eventually begin to work the reserve patrol car. They are NEVER first on scene, they DO have a shotgun in the car, and they ARE paired with an experienced reserve officer...
...WHO MAY BE A PART-TIME LICENSED OFFICER (a state designation, requiring 80 hours of training paid by the dept, resulting in a state license, and the authority to carry a sidearm and make arrests). See my post #16 above.
I think I may do this.
Reserves participate in low-risk activities initially. They ferry cars, direct traffic, search and rescue, etc. As they complete training in...
* Radio usage
* Search and rescue
* Traffic control
* Crowd control
* CPR and first aid
* Self defense/weapons retention
...they eventually begin to work the reserve patrol car. They are NEVER first on scene, they DO have a shotgun in the car, and they ARE paired with an experienced reserve officer...
...WHO MAY BE A PART-TIME LICENSED OFFICER (a state designation, requiring 80 hours of training paid by the dept, resulting in a state license, and the authority to carry a sidearm and make arrests). See my post #16 above.
I think I may do this.
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