? About sworn and non sworn officers

[Kristen-]

I'm confused about this. What is the difference between a sworn and non sworn police officer?

[Kimble]

I'm confused about this. What is the difference between a sworn and non sworn police officer?

Police officers for the most part are are always SWORN (i.e. take an oath of office), not sure what you mean by a non-sworn police officer, or where you even heard that term. The only thing I can think of that comes close to that are NYPD's auxiliary police officers, who are non sworn volunteer uniformed security, but they are not actual police officers.

[Kristen-]

Police officers for the most part are are always SWORN (i.e. take an oath of office), not sure what you mean by a non-sworn police officer, or where you even heard that term. The only thing I can think of that comes close to that are NYPD's auxiliary police officers, who are non sworn volunteer uniformed security, but they are not actual police officers.

Oh ok so a non sworn officer is a volunteer? So their not like in a regular police uniform with a gun and everything?

[Citicop]

If they are going to give you a gun and a badge, you will take an oath and be "sworn," even if you are a volunteer.

You may not be commissioned, but you will be sworn. There are Law Enforcement Positions that are not sworn, like clerks and dispatchers, but I have never heard of a "non sworn police officer."

[Kimble]

Oh ok so a non sworn officer is a volunteer? So their not like in a regular police uniform with a gun and everything?

The example I gave only applies to NYPD (the police department for NY City) and THEIR auxiliary police officers, here's the official webpage for them: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/ca...y_police.shtml.

Other agencies may have reserve/auxiliary officers who have full police powers and are sworn, but are also volunteers. The issue over being sworn or not is whether you have arrest and other police authority, not whether this position is volunteer or paid full-time. I started out in law enforcement as a reserve deputy sheriff. I was a volunteer and unpaid, but I was sworn, had a badge and gun, and performed the same duties as regular full-time patrol deputies.

[greg72982]

When I worked at the Sheriff's Office in NC as a detention officer I was sworn, but had no more powers than the average Joe. I wasn't a police officer by any means, but I was sworn to uphold the Constitutional rights of the inmates in the facility.

To my knowledge most dispatchers are not sworn yet they get paid. Our dispatchers work for the county, not for us, so I know they aren't.