RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

This may be overstating the obvious but why are they not working? I mean have you asked them. Do they feel its a lack of training or uncertainty in the field or is it more of an issue with thier full-time jobs and family? If its the training you have your answer. If its the other lay it out for them, they have to accept the commitment they made of sacrifice thier dream, goal or hobby - whichever Law Enforcement is to them.

RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

Remember that they are volunteers. Are they there when you need them to be, such as for a major event? Can you call them and ask when to put them on the schedule?

If they are there when you need them to be, you might consider relaxing the minimum hours requirement. If they are not available when you really need them, then they are using the commission to carry and should be dropped for not meeting the minimum.

But it is a common problem with volunteers, getting them to actually work extra can be hard.

Reserves

Some guys are reserves for the title only. They want the badge,I.D and the name. We have one like that and his days are numbered. I think you can always tell the comited one's. They will work, they will train and they will try to make a name for themselves. The one's that won't are the preverbial dead weight. They will also drag others down with them. They complain, whine and make excuses. Boot em. There are plenty of people who would die to be a reserve officer. We all know some.

RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

As a Reserve Officer myself I come out minimum of 4 days a week. In my Precinct we are required 3 days totalling 24hrs. a month, its not much they are asking, but there are a lot of Reserves that you really can't tell them anything. I mean there is one guy in my unit who has been there for the longest time and complains about not getting on with the precinct. He is even related to the Constable. He comes out and wastes county gas. He doesn't show any initiative and is pretty much fearful of the unit we are in. We work the housing unit and mainly deal with "minorities" and he doesn't even bother to stop any of the people in the properties nor listen to the directions he is given when we are sneaking up on suspects on the property. The full-timers tell me that he "doesn't want to listen" and never takes crtisism when given. I guess he gets his feelings hurt about it. I had a serious talk with him and all he had to say was "listen here ""rookie"" I have been here longer than you and know way more than you do so don't try and tell me how to do my job." The sad part of it is that there are 4 full-timers in our unit and 18 Reserves and I only know 4 of them personally. Myself along with one other deputy are the ones that look like full-timers ourselves because we are out there busting our butts not only to gain as much experience, but to try and make a name for ourselves so that when a slot opens up we would be considered. We are accused of being "butt kissers" because we are always volunteering for everything. People are always going to talk no matter what so that doesn't bother me. I think you should have a talk with your supervisor and have him/her have a serious talk with the reserves just like out Lt. did in our unit and basically tell them point black and not be nice about it that they are only there taking space and there are others that are willing to take that slot and do the job not only with pride, but with some dignity. I'm tired of people making excuses about how its a "voulunteer effort". You do not go and volunteer for a position in which peoples' lives are entrusted in your hands and actions and not make an effort toat least meet the minimum hours required.

RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

I appreciate every ones comments, I realize that they are volenteers, but if you volunteer firefighter, they're not going to send you into a burning building without training and experience, right? Our reserves are offered all the same training that the full time guys are offered and they are required to be at the manditory training, just like the full time guys. Since my last post, several of our "dead weight" reserves have been dismissed and the ones that remain, are beginning to work the required hours. Thanks again for everyone's time and comments, I really do appreciate it!
lpd3k9 lagrange p.d. indiana

Looking to become Reserve Officer.

I am in the process of applying for a Reserve Officer position with a local police department. The biggest thing I am afraid is not living up to the expectations of the full time officers. I would hope that through dedication and a wellingness to learn I will show that I am to be trusted and can be relied upon when the shoes hit the pavement.

Right Attitude

You've definitely got the right attitude and I applaud you for it. Your willingness to listen to what the regular officers advise you will go a long way towards them accepting you. Nobody knows it all and nobody likes a "Know it all" and for good reason, mainly because nobody knows it all.

If an officer, whether full-time, part-time or reserve doesn't have a willingness to serve others, they're not going to last long. When I started out as a reserve deputy with Mobile County back in 1989 I worked as much as my regular work schedule would allow. Most of us did and a few didn't, but most of them didn't last for too long.

my opinion

Yeah, you have the right attitude to start off. I will advise you that sometimes there is a lot of "politics" involved when it comes to getting hired. I have been a Reserve Deputy for approximatley 1 1/2 years and man is it really frustraiting when you get the rug slipped from under your feet. I don't know about you, but in my case I am in it to gain a full-time position. I have been passed up 2 times already, I wouldn't have minded if it was someone that deserved it, but in my case they passed me up for people who clearly didn't deserve it. I mean come on!!! the first guy I got pased by a guy who was too busy texting his girlfirend or playing on MYSPACE in the shop laptop the majority of the time. We actually on calls in progress one of our properties where we had guys selling drugs. I called on the primary channel for his help 3 timesand he never showed, units that were 3 times the distance of his last known location got there before him. His excuse "I was at 212". AT least advise me on the radio or something, know what I mean? The second time was with a guy who they were complaining a lot about. I commit a great amout of time on my part and was really upset when I found out that this was the second time I was passed up.

RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

Henry,

There are always politics in any job and getting hired. As mucha s I hate it, this will always be true. But there are the obvious questions about if the supervisors and administration knew how the guys worked like you do. Did you tell them or let them know when there was a problem? If not, how would you expect the Sheriff to know what happens when he is not there?

And if they do not know what is really happening, they are bound to look at other things. Some of what they look at is education, some are the skills they can see such as report writing. I understand that this is not a report and no one is grading it, but look at the grammar and punctuation you used in your post. What kind of impression does that leave for a supervisor later?

As a word of advice, if you have been passed over for hiring twice, it may be time to look for a full time position with a different department. They may be a little harder to find, but at least you will stand a chance. You could also ask for a meeting with the Sheriff and ask him how you could improve your chances of getting the next opening. An honest meeting that is not accusatory but seeking help can work wonders for your chances also.

RE: Ideas on how to get reserve officers to work.

Steve,
I honestly don't know what the deal is sometimes. To be honest with everyone knows that the people I have mentioned are the way they are. I'm sure that you know can check the history of your calls/activity on MDS (our system, I don't know what you guys use). It has been done, why they are still here, I really don't know. It seems like some people are just really that lucky to get away with a lot of things. I do however have some good news. Our contract was signed again and there are 3 positions available so hopefully I will get one of those. I also was told that I was up for a school contract dealing with the "bad apples" of the bunch. The goos thing about the school contract is the schedule 6am-2pm weekends off with lots of room for extra jobs. The bad part about it is the fact that if accepted, I would get fired durring the summer and re-hired when the school year starts over again. The bad part about that is that I wouldn't get to accumulate my "years of service" and I would have to wait 90 days again to get my benefits. I'm really shooting for the position in my unit because I have already made a name for myself in the area where I work, already know the area, and people know I'm not affraid to work. Wish me luck fellas.