I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input.

Quoted: I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input.

I say no. Go back to being a volunteer firefighter.

If you feel you you may be interested in a law enforcement career I say yes.  Alot of agencies hire their full time paid officers from their reserve ranks.  This way the managment can get a little bit of an idea how well you work and do your duties.  I have been a reserve officer for going on 13 years now and really enjoy it.  Our state requires reserves to complete the law enforcement academies academic cirriculum which include state, local and constitutional law.  I have found it very rewarding.

Quoted: If you feel you you may be interested in a law enforcement career I say yes.  Alot of agencies hire their full time paid officers from their reserve ranks.  This way the managment can get a little bit of an idea how well you work and do your duties.  I have been a reserve officer for going on 13 years now and really enjoy it.  Our state requires reserves to complete the law enforcement academies academic cirriculum which include state, local and constitutional law.  I have found it very rewarding.

+1 that's why I went reserve until I finish college. We do our training in-house though.

Quoted: Quoted: I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input. I say no. Go back to being a volunteer firefighter.

we're a rural dept. don't get much structure, so I spend a great deal of time humping bladder bags up to where brush trucks can't drive......that gets old after awhile you know?

Being a reserve is a great way to get into LEO work.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input. I say no. Go back to being a volunteer firefighter. we're a rural dept. don't get much structure, so I spend a great deal of time humping bladder bags up to where brush trucks can't drive......that gets old after awhile you know?

Yes, I do know. We get maybe 2-3 structure fires a year on average. Lots of grass fires and car fires though. I volunteer for a rural fire department myself. I've also spent 6 or so years in law enforcement and have no desire to go back.

Quoted: Quoted: I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input. I say no. Go back to being a volunteer firefighter.

+10,000. Why you would want to go from FD to PD is beyond me.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I emailed our local chief about it, he said just fill out the application and come in and take a basic aptitude test.  I talked to some local full-time PD guys and asked what the reserve thing was all about.  They said they basically get you qualified with a side arm, and give you a quick run down on how things work, then you get to put in 10 hours a month just sorta helping out.  Ridding partner with a full-time guy so they aren't spread so thin, doing odd jobs around the station, etc etc.  There's no pay in it, all volunteer.  Should I do it?  I've been a volunteer firefighter for awhile that was pretty fun and got to hang out with a good bunch of guys.  Thanks for your input. I say no. Go back to being a volunteer firefighter. +10,000. Why you would want to go from FD to PD is beyond me.

technically I could do both, I have a couple friends that do.  It's only 10 hours a month, how bad could it be?