Andrew Rothman
Member
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 *
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
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
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