LEO opinions: Reserve Police Officers

[Scoop]

Just looking for subjective opinions relative "reserve" police officers.

What do you, as a full-time LEO, think about "Reserve" police officers? (please read entire message before replying)

I'm not interested in hearing about the biggest moron that your department ever hired to help during parades and festivals. I'm talking about competent, able-bodied officers who decide to work as a reserve instead of a full-time officer.

Do they "get in your way"? Do you resent them for "doing your job" or "taking work away from another (potential) full-time officer? If he/she had the same education, background and experience as you, would you consider him/her an "equal", or does that 'Reserve' word in his/her title yank your chain?

I'm a 15 year veteran of Information Technologies (Software Engineer). Comparatively speaking, I make two/three/four times what some full-time LEO's make. However, I'm about half-way finished with my Associates in Criminal Justice / Law Enforcment.

When the time is right, I plan on getting rid of most of my "expensive toys" and going full-time into LE.

Until then, however, I'm planning on joining my local department as a reserve.

In my town, a reserve officer is no different than a full-time officer -- everything is issued/paid for by the department (uniforms/duty gear/gun/ammo/training/etc.), their powers are completely the same (arrest/patrol/etc). When in public, citizens can't tell the difference by looking at one. The primary difference is that reserves only work part time and receive no benefits. Reserves must pass the same MCOLES tests (read/write and physical) to be sworn-in as full-time officers.

I submitted my application and resume last week, and was called within a few days to schedule an interview.

My interview is ... well ... TODAY, actually ...

I'm just looking for some general feedback on the general opinion of full-time officers regarding the COMPETENT and PROFESSIONAL reserve officers in their department.

Thanks in advance.

[greenlead]

Good luck with the interview!

[Toeknee112]

From a Reserve's perspective:
I am currently the only Reserve at our department. I've been a Reserve for 8 years. My experience has been that whether you are a Reserve, a new hire fresh from the academy or a lateral transfer, you are going to be scrutinized by your fellow officers and will need to "prove" yourself before they become comfortable and accepting of you.

[Scoop]

Toeknee, thanks for your input. But I was looking for something deeper.

Do they "get in your way"? Do you resent them for "doing your job" or "taking work away from another (potential) full-time officer? If he/she had the same education, background and experience as you, would you consider him/her an "equal", or does that 'Reserve' word in his/her title yank your chain?

Forget about any probationary period. Remember, I said everything was "equal" (including time on the job at THAT department with THOSE full-time officers).

My question is relative to the "full-time vs. reserve" comparo, not the "newbie" vs "experienced" officer.

[Toeknee112]

Forget about any probationary period. Remember, I said everything was "equal" (including time on the job at THAT department with THOSE full-time officers).

My question is relative to the "full-time vs. reserve" comparo, not the "newbie" vs "experienced" officer.

No problemo! Just curious...does it really matter what they think of Reserve's? Would a negative response make you any less likely to want to join?

[canuckofapeach]

Good point Toeknee
I work in a Reserve capacity and feel I have the best of 2 worlds - what with my other job too
I have no attitude nor am I made to feel less wanted because of a diminished role in the Service

All in all, I still give a helping hand which is appreciated; my fluency in 4 languages has been a blessing and a curse!

[cecilVA]

I am about to start as a Reserver here in Virginia so I don't any firsthand experience, however I have read about this topic on other forums. From what I saw, it all depends on the department. Certain departments have better environments for reserves than others, which in turn depends on what their mission is, how much support they get from management, the perception from full time officers, etc. Also I read a lot of officers complain about losing money in OT jobs because reserves will get them. Some departments may do this and others may not. Police unions also play a role in this, they may put up a fight in order to support the sworn officers.

Of course, this doesn't help you much. I would recommend doing a ride along with the department you are applying for and talking with the sworn officer about their reserve program and seeing what their opinion is.

[Scoop]

Just curious...does it really matter what they think of Reserve's? Would a negative response make you any less likely to want to join?

Eventually, yes, it could/would matter.

If the vast majority of the full time officers treat their reserve officer counterparts like low class morons, then what happens to the moral of the entire department? Why would I want to work with someone with a "holier than thou" attitude (even though I make three or four times the money than he/she does)?

I expect it to differ depending upon department and the administration's attitude.

I'd just like to garner some full-time, sworn officer's opinions of their real-world situations.

Thanks.

[Toeknee112]

Eventually, yes, it could/would matter.

If the vast majority of the full time officers treat their reserve officer counterparts like low class morons, then what happens to the moral of the entire department?

If that was the case then a department probably wouldn't even have a Reserve program...word would get around and no one would apply for a Reserve position. If a department has a strong Reserve program then you can bet that the Reserve's are pretty much treated as equals.

Why would I want to work with someone with a "holier than thou" attitude (even though I make three or four times the money than he/she does)?

What difference does it make how much money you make compared to a co-worker? That is a very strange attitude. You mentioned how much more you make in your original post. If money means so much to you then I would forget about ever becoming a full-time officer.

[AngryJerry]

"What difference does it make how much money you make compared to a co-worker? That is a very strange attitude. You mentioned how much more you make in your original post. If money means so much to you then I would forget about ever becoming a full-time officer."


I was thinking the same thing. If you (rbielak) are so concerned about a "holier than thou" attitude you should start by looking in the mirror.

aj

[Scoop]

If that was the case then a department probably wouldn't even have a Reserve program...word would get around and no one would apply for a Reserve position. If a department has a strong Reserve program then you can bet that the Reserve's are pretty much treated as equals.

Just because the F/T officers might harbor a negative feeling does not mean that the department will NOT have a reserve.

Again, I'm looking for real-world full-time officers' opinions.

What difference does it make how much money you make compared to a co-worker? That is a very strange attitude. You mentioned how much more you make in your original post. If money means so much to you then I would forget about ever becoming a full-time officer.

You have missed my point, and my questions, completely. Perhaps you didn't read the entire content. It has nothing to do with money. I'm giving that up to (eventually) become a full-time LEO.

I certainly didn't mean to offend you (like I apparently have).

[Scoop]

I was thinking the same thing. If you (rbielak) are so concerned about a "holier than thou" attitude you should start by looking in the mirror.
aj

It's amazing how short of a time period it takes for people show up and turn my inquisition into a "go screw yourself, dickhead" thread.

If you don't have experiences relative to the topic of my question, please refrain from injecting your subjective opinions.

I'm looking for some REAL answers to a REAL question.

[mcsap]

If you are capable, can do the job, accept that you are a part timer and will take longer to acheive the abilities of a full time officer , you will be OK. Some will look down on you as a "wannabe with a part time hobby" but if you can do a good job and show them that you are in fact capable. most will accept you.

[oscarmitre]

If the vast majority of the full time officers treat their reserve officer counterparts like low class morons, then what happens to the moral of the entire department? Why would I want to work with someone with a "holier than thou" attitude?

There that's better, let's get rid of that irrelevant point about money.

It's a fair question. When I first started as a very young police officer I came out of just under three years full time training (paid) as a Cadet. I had a pretty good theoretical knowledge of the law. policies, procedure etc. I knew absolutely nothing about real world policing (aside from the couple of postings I had had during training). But I was lucky enough to heed the advice of my Instructors who told me (and my cohort) that we were book-smart but street-dumb. I wasn't exactly deferent to the senior people I worked with as a probationer but I knew enough to know I didn't know enough.

You don't want to be treated as a moron. You want to be treated as a responsible adult - and that's fair enough. However if you aren't willing to admit that you need to learn and that the officer you are working with (who you don't get to choose) is the person to help you learn then put the idea of becoming a police officer (Reservist or full time) out of your mind altogether because it will all end in tears - or worse. I have worked with newly graduated police officers who thought they knew it all and it was very, very hard work trying to convince them that they didn't have a clue. I didn't - and don't - require deference, just a common-sense realisation that there is a need to learn.

[Scoop]

Thank you for the constructive information, mcsap. I appreciate it.