Older Reserve Sheriff's Out There?

[ret_sa_usgov]

I'm new to the board, former MP and US Govt. SA, retired and living in Las Cruces, NM. As I am currently an applicant for my local Reserve Sheriff's Department, and I am 60 years old, I would really like to "compare notes" with a reserve officer over 55. And, I know some of you younger future PO'S and Deputy's will wonder why an admitted geezer would even be looking at such a position and all I can say to you is that 60 is the new 40!!

[pafindr]

WooHoo!!! That means I'm 19 again!!!! wait... that means I have to wait two years before I can apply... bummer :(

:D

Welcome to RP from one of the mitten people.

[mcsap]

I ADMIRE your initiative but need to remind you that you are 60 and some punk kid 18 yr old is going to TRY you. And simply because of his age , he will probably be in much better shape than you ( unless you are a Bruce Jenner type ).

This is a young mans job. I am 48 and after almost 23 yrs on the street , I have to remember that I am no longer the 25 year old rookie I once was. I do not meen to discourage you but rather to give a fair and proper warning that you are stepping into a world that you have never been to before.

Welcome to RP.

[ret_sa_usgov]

mcsap, surely you jest. First of all, what bonafide law enforcement agency would even put me on the street if I were not qualified first and look around at the many LE persons on the Fed, state, or local level, that have let themselves go way beyond physical standards. Do you think that they could handle that theoretical 18 year old? And when do you usually see one officer taking down anyone? I may be old but I am not a fool. I understand the risks and don't assume that I can keep up with most 20 years olds but if that were a requirement, how many officers over 30, that have not maintained a physical program, could do so either. The bottom line is that my county is grossly understaffed and probably always will be. If I can contribute, and give back, I am willing to do that. In my county, reserves are not a reason not to hire full time, budget is. And, btw, I can meet Coopers Standards for the 40 to 49 age group and I am not Bruce Jenner. I do appreciate your comments but find your point of view somewhat jaded. Just my opinion, however.

[mcsap]

mcsap, surely you jest. First of all, what bonafide law enforcement agency would even put me on the street if I were not qualified first and look around at the many LE persons on the Fed, state, or local level, that have let themselves go way beyond physical standards. Do you think that they could handle that theoretical 18 year old? And when do you usually see one officer taking down anyone? I may be old but I am not a fool. I understand the risks and don't assume that I can keep up with most 20 years olds but if that were a requirement, how many officers over 30, that have not maintained a physical program, could do so either. The bottom line is that my county is grossly understaffed and probably always will be. If I can contribute, and give back, I am willing to do that. In my county, reserves are not a reason not to hire full time, budget is. And, btw, I can meet Coopers Standards for the 40 to 49 age group and I am not Bruce Jenner. I do appreciate your comments but find your point of view somewhat jaded. Just my opinion, however.

Meeting the Cooper Standard is wonderful but Cooper isn't the same as a drunken person less than half your age fighting back. I agree with you about the lack of physical standards after hiring ( my dept has NONE). I myself have been a runner for 30 years and it has served me well for keeping in shape.

Regardless of the staffing issues of your county , persons at your age are becoming a risk to themselves and others on the street. There are FEW people of your age that are even on the street as a " regular patrol officer " as I suspect your intended duties would be.

Sometimes , we are faced with situations where ONE officer does end up having to use various levels of force. I know I have had to. Especially if your potential agency is understaffed as you said. I am sure there are some ways that you can contribute ( but it sounds like you already have ??!!)

If my view appears jaded to you , let it come from nearly 23 years of working as a street patrol officer. Although I am now a patrol Sgt. , I still go on calls , sometimes alone and sometimes with other cars but the majority of our calls are handled by a single officer ( depending on the nature of course).

My agency has 50 sworn , covers 50 square miles and a population of about 45,000. The most we have on is 6 officers from 1800-2400 , than 5 from 2400-0300 and 4 from 0300-0600.

All of this is said in sincerity , not in jest.

[Switchback]

mcsap, surely you jest. First of all, what bonafide law enforcement agency would even put me on the street if I were not qualified first and look around at the many LE persons on the Fed, state, or local level, that have let themselves go way beyond physical standards. Do you think that they could handle that theoretical 18 year old? And when do you usually see one officer taking down anyone? I may be old but I am not a fool. I understand the risks and don't assume that I can keep up with most 20 years olds but if that were a requirement, how many officers over 30, that have not maintained a physical program, could do so either. The bottom line is that my county is grossly understaffed and probably always will be. If I can contribute, and give back, I am willing to do that. In my county, reserves are not a reason not to hire full time, budget is. And, btw, I can meet Coopers Standards for the 40 to 49 age group and I am not Bruce Jenner. I do appreciate your comments but find your point of view somewhat jaded. Just my opinion, however.

The Cooper standards are a JOKE! You are gravely mistaken thinking that they are representative of doing the job. For example, they say a 25 year old man has to do 37 push-ups to pass, but a 35 year old woman needs to do only 11. Do these 2 individuals need to do the same job? Would a bandit fight less because the officer is a 35 year old woman, as opposed to a 25 year old man? Please!

Note that I am not just blowing smoke with a chip on my shoulder. There is a very good reason why the feds have MANDATORY RETIREMENT at age 37. They don't want a walking holster of a liability putting them at risk of lawsuits when they get themself or someone else hurt. While there are some that may able to do the job at 60, those people are very few and far between.

Now to address a few of your other "arguments", I HAVE had to take guys down alone numerous times. THAT is very significant because, unlike many local cops, I do not normally work alone... sometimes you just find yourself in a 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 situation and you HAVE to make it work.

Also, FYI, I am nearly 37 and I have had NO PROBLEM catching 18 and 20 year old gang-bangers running for their freedom... all while wearing a tac vest and combat boots (at a minimum)... MANY TIMES. It DOES happen and we are EXPECTED to catch them... and take care of business once we catch them. Trust me, I speak from experience, working a fugitive task force in a city that sits at the top 3 in the nation of per capita murder rates each year.

Don't take it personal. It's neither a joke, nor a personal attack. It's just a fact of life.

[Norm357]

The Cooper standards are a JOKE! You are gravely mistaken thinking that they are representative of doing the job. For example, they say a 25 year old man has to do 37 push-ups to pass, but a 35 year old woman needs to do only 11. Do these 2 individuals need to do the same job? Would a bandit fight less because the officer is a 35 year old woman, as opposed to a 25 year old man? Please!

Note that I am not just blowing smoke with a chip on my shoulder. There is a very good reason why the feds have MANDATORY RETIREMENT at age 37. They don't want a walking holster of a liability putting them at risk of lawsuits when they get themself or someone else hurt. While there are some that may able to do the job at 60, those people are very few and far between.

Now to address a few of your other "arguments", I HAVE had to take guys down alone numerous times. THAT is very significant because, unlike many local cops, I do not normally work alone... sometimes you just find yourself in a 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 situation and you HAVE to make it work.

Also, FYI, I am nearly 37 and I have had NO PROBLEM catching 18 and 20 year old gang-bangers running for their freedom... all while wearing a tac vest and combat boots (at a minimum)... MANY TIMES. It DOES happen and we are EXPECTED to catch them... and take care of business once we catch them. Trust me, I speak from experience, working a fugitive task force in a city that sits at the top 3 in the nation of per capita murder rates each year.

Don't take it personal. It's neither a joke, nor a personal attack. It's just a fact of life.

Damnitt. I knew I shoulda joined the Feds. :mad:

[Switchback]

Hahahaha
I meant mandatory retirement at 57 and a hiring cut-off of 37.

[mcsap]

Damnitt. I knew I shoulda joined the Feds. :mad:

Norm a FED ??? :eek::eek:

[Kimble]

ret_sa_usgov,

Since both your username and your post here indicate you are a retired LEO, I've sent you a Private Message to help you get verified. Please check your PM Inbox when you have a moment for details.

[ret_sa_usgov]

A few weeks after I posted my intro, and after I submitted applications for my sheriff's reserve program and special deputy commission, my doctor found a lump in my neck which was recently diagnosed as Metastatic Squamos Carcinoma. Obviously, I withdrew my application for the deputy reserve program but will continue my application as a special deputy. You see, having been a cop many years ago, and disabled out, I want to continue to support my local sheriff for as long as God allows me to hang around. Please, no expressions of sympathy. I've been around the block more than a few times and have had a good life, so far. And yes, I could have passed the physical but I guess that 18 year old, who would have wanted to try the old guy, will have to wait!!

Peace brothers!!

[Pookie44]

Welcome to RP

[chewy]

Well, until last year Customs hired people as full time Inspectors/Officers that were 60+ so... Of course we had a guy die at FLETC when I was there after PT too. You're only as old as you feel!

[jmac_52]

Welcome to RP from Louisiana.