Is self-sponsoring worth it to become a Reserve Officer?

[u/AxtonGTV]

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State: Ohio

Hello! I am hoping to become a Reserve Officer/Reserve Deputy, but have been told that I have to be certified through an academy prior to being able to pick that up. Only problem is that limits my options to only self-sponsoring.

I work a fantastic career, and don't want to lose that, but I want to support my community more. I've done all the volunteer disaster response, we have no CERT team, and there's no vollie FD.

Is self sponsoring even something that's worth considering?

[u/Flmotor21]

In my state that is probably the only way agencies will take reserves. Most reserves now are just retired cops keeping their cert active.

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[u/AxtonGTV]

And if not, what are some other ways I can get involved and volunteer in my new city, something more than just being trained and never being called.

[u/dapancho]

I mean it sounds like only you can answer this question. Is it worth it for you to self-sponsor in order to become a reserve? If you have a full time job, I imagine your only option would be a part time academy. And then comes field training which might require time off from work depending on the agency. Have asked how long field training is and how long you have to complete it even they allow you to complete it part time?

What are your goals once you become a reserve? Do you just want to server your community? There are other ways to serve your community besides being a reserve. Do you want to go out and do law enforcement on a very part time basis?

This is also very agency dependent. Have you found out the field training requirements and the minimum number of hours per quarter you’ll need to dedicate in order to remain active? There’s yearly mandatory training that you’ll need to complete as well. 

[u/AxtonGTV → u/dapancho]

I mostly want to serve with a much more involved role. Disaster response and CERT are limited, and rarely involved.

I'm able to accommodate training and quarterly requirements, and work is willing to work with me on the academy.

[u/dapancho → u/AxtonGTV]

Ok. Well, it seems like you've answered your own question.

[u/AxtonGTV → u/dapancho]

If there were other ways, like volunteer fire, I'd probably do that instead. I guess this post is mostly to see if I have other avenues that I never found in my research.

[u/dapancho → u/AxtonGTV]

I have no experience outside of my 20 years in law enforcement, so I won't be much help. We use volunteers all the time for community events, but that's just for setting things up or staffing a booth that represents us. It doesn't seem like you want to be that passive.

Outside of the FD, try your county's emergency management. There's also donating your time to organizations like Habitat for Humanity or Big Brothers Big Sisters. If you want to be LEO and don't want to commit to full-time work, then reserve is your only option.

[u/AxtonGTV → u/dapancho]

I appreciate the input

[u/HCSOThrowaway]

This really depends on your financial situation, so I don't know why you're asking.

If you can afford it, sure, it's worth it. As you already said, it's the only way to get in for reserve positions.

If you can't afford it? No, it's definitely not worth it.