Reserve Officers

[Alexander Smith]

Hello! First off, I haven't been able to find a thread like this, so hopefully I'm not repeating something already asked & answered. If so, please point me in the right direction.

I live in Mississippi, if that helps.

My question pertains to reserve police officers. For personal reasons of my own, I would like to work as an electrician until I become Journyman, before going into a full-time police officer position. During that time, I would like to see if I can join my local PD's reserve officer unit. I think the experience would be great, and it would give me a better idea of what I'd be getting into whenever I become a full-time officer.

These are my questions:
— Most if not all officers I've met carry a firearm off-duty. I think it's a great idea, and as far as I know, they don't have to have a concealed carry permit. Does the same apply for reserve officers? Can they carry a concealed off-duty firearm without a permit? Or do they become regular citizens off-duty?

— This question is similar to the one above. When off-duty (which is most of the time) can a reserve officer make an arrest? Or something like that, the way a full-time off duty officer would?

— Do reserve officers ONLY work when their told, or can they volunteer to work more hours?


I want to make an informed decision on this matter, so thank you in advance for any replies and help.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I live in Mississippi, if that helps.

My question pertains to reserve police officers. For personal reasons of my own, I would like to work as an electrician until I become Journyman, before going into a full-time police officer position. During that time, I would like to see if I can join my local PD's reserve officer unit. I think the experience would be great, and it would give me a better idea of what I'd be getting into whenever I become a full-time officer.
I'll start off by telling you that all these questions are better addressed in-person with someone from the PD you plan on Reserving with.

These are my questions:
— Most if not all officers I've met carry a firearm off-duty. I think it's a great idea, and as far as I know, they don't have to have a concealed carry permit. Does the same apply for reserve officers? Can they carry a concealed off-duty firearm without a permit? Or do they become regular citizens off-duty?
Read my 1st answer - LEOSA will cover you if you're a sworn officer with arrest authority.

— This question is similar to the one above. When off-duty (which is most of the time) can a reserve officer make an arrest? Or something like that, the way a full-time off duty officer would?
Read my 1st answer - State law and department policy will dictate when you can and cannot arrest. Training and common sense will tell you there are times when you're off-duty that it may be prudent to sit back and be a good witness rather than run in and become involved.

— Do reserve officers ONLY work when their told, or can they volunteer to work more hours?
Read my 1st answer.

I want to make an informed decision on this matter, so thank you in advance for any replies and help.
Read my 1st....DOH!



You're welcome.

[retdetsgt]

I gotta ask, why do you want to work so hard to be a journeyman electrician so you can quit and do something totally unrelated?

[Roger Dat]

I gotta ask, why do you want to work so hard to be a journeyman electrician so you can quit and do something totally unrelated?

I agree 100% makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. If thats the case the PD looking to hire you will be wondering if your going to be spending more time running your off duty electrician business or concentrating on your career.

[Alexander Smith]

I agree 100% makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. If thats the case the PD looking to hire you will be wondering if your going to be spending more time running your off duty electrician business or concentrating on your career.

A Journyman electrician is a 1st class electrician. I would be working for a company such as Chevron, or Northrop Grumman. And it would be my career.

It's important to have a backup career, and apprentice electrician doesn't cut it. If I lost my job as a police officer, I would have a much harder time getting hired as an apprentice, then as a journeyman. As a 1st class electrician, it would be quite easy to get a job.


EDIT: And as a side note, I would love to work as a police officer, but I'm not yet ready to make it my career. Until I can ground myself with a steady amount of experience (I need it to be hired anyway) and skill to get a job if necessary, then I won't gamble it on the likelyhood of being hired as a police officer.
Note: It takes about 3-4 years to be a journeyman electrician. I'm only 17 now, and I'll graduate when I'm 18. If I work 3-4 years, I'll be just 22 when I'm 1st class.

[retdetsgt]

It's important to have a backup career, and apprentice electrician doesn't cut it. If I lost my job as a police officer, I would have a much harder time getting hired as an apprentice, then as a journeyman. As a 1st class electrician, it would be quite easy to get a job.

Kind of a half empty glass kinda guy, huh?

I don't what wages are in Mississippi, but I suspect you'd be taking a bit of a pay cut to go from journeyman electrician (and we know what a journeyman is;)) to being a cop.

Get your card then look around and see if you want to change. In the meantime, contact any agencies with a reserve program and ask them if you can work for nothing.

[Cat_Doc]

Until I can ground myself

Ha, I like this guy's sense of humor. :D

[Legoate]

Ha, I like this guy's sense of humor. :D

Yeah, there is something electrifying about him.:rolleyes:

[SnapShawt]

Those policies, although also governed by law, will vary from agency to agency. At my agency, if you were a reserve, you would not be allowed to carry your firearm off duty unless concealed (even though of us who are full-time sworn don't open carry - just a generally bad idea most of the time). You would also have no authority off duty. You would retain police powers only when working. The law is more lenient in some of those circumstances, but an agency has the right to set the conditions of employment and of reserves. You'll be told what those policies are and would join under those conditions at your choice.

[retdetsgt]

Yeah, there is something electrifying about him.:rolleyes:

I was shocked.

[SnapShawt]

You screwed up now - these guys can run with the electrician thing all day long. Trust me, you'll be surprised at watt all things they can come up with.

[Alexander Smith]

LOL @ the electrical jokes! :D

I'm not really worried about pay. I've always wanted to be a police officer, but if I'm going to graduate at 18, I should use that time for something productive. Rest assured, I will consider all sides of the issue before making the switch to full-time officer. I will also ask at my local PD about the reserve officer program.

Thank you for the help everyone.

[Roger Dat]

Something productive if your number one choice is to be a cop is to spend those years getting a bachelors degree.

[Alexander Smith]

I understand the arguments for 4 year degrees, but it is my firm belief that far too many people these days go for 4 year degrees because they assume they are just "better". There's a tremendous shortage of electricians, carpenters, plumbers and other skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen.
I personally do not understand why many police departments actually require a 4 year degree, as if such a degree inherently shows commitment or teamwork, or a desire to help the comminity, or anything else of that kind.
Are people who spend 4 years in college smarter, or more dedicated then people who get an associates degree in a skilled trade? It takes a lot of time and commitment to become a journeyman in a skilled trade. Much more to become a contractor or master at that trade.

[Roger Dat]

Your right and its just my opinion but I would question someones motives who put in a application to be a cop after spending all that time to become proficient in a trade. It wont necessarily hurt you but I would wonder about it if I was on your board.