becoming a Reserve LEO varies from dept to dept. Many depts have no reserve whatsoever.
At the SO here we official have an "auxillary." The auxillary officers spend a certain amount of time in a "ride-along" situation with a full time deputy, then they are allowed to come in and work shifts whenever they want, signing out one of two extra patrol cars. The training time varies from individual to individual.
They are fully sworn LEOs from day one, though few have ever gone to the academy, and they receive a modest monthly stipend once they reach the level when they can patrol by themselves. Many of the "paid" auxiallary are rescue workers or firemen as well.
At the SO, Reservists are given some gear and one or two uniforms, but just the basics, they must provide everything else. They have to take a drug test and submit to a background check just like any potential full time officer. they have to supply their own weapon, which must be approved by the Training officer and they must qualify with it. This includes any back-up weapon. Offciers are issued ammo for qualification and carry if it is .40 S&W, otherwise they supply their own. I am not sure, but I think the minimum requirement is 1 day per month, but that is not enforced.
I got my credentials for many reasons, probably least of which was so that I could ride around and pull people over for expired tags or check on burglar alarms going off, which is what our SO spends a significant amount of time doing.
The biggest advantage that I get from being a sworn LEO is that I have police powers when I am out with the Metro police unit that I spend a lot of time with. For about five years I have spent a significant amount of time in a "ride-along" situation with Metro CID detectives. I have done a number of things since I have had my credentials that I would not have been able to do, or at least not supposed to have done, without them. While Metro officially has no reserves, it has put me on more of an equal footing when I go out with them. I am sure that I spend at least 5 shifts with metro for every one that I work with the SO.
I will add that carrying a gun and a badge is not a viable reason to join as reservist in most cases, in fact, I know of people who have lost reserve status after flashing badges when it was not appropriate, or misrepresenting themselves.
BTW- I think that the situation I am in is not very common in the Reserve Circles.. quite often in fact, "reserves" are really glorified ride-alongs. Also, in some cases, many of the people carried on a "reserve" roster might just be friends of the Sheriff or Chief and really play no role in LE whatsoever. It is often a situation that you can really make as much or as little out of it as you want.
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-Essayons
[This message has been edited by Rob (edited May 13, 1999).]