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3K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Sgt Jack 
#1 ·
Hi, I'm interested in finding out what the career path is with R/I academy. I'm sorry if this information is easily/readily available and I'm just missing it. I've scoured the internet and can't seem to find a definitive answer and I do not know any police officers personally. Asking for a friend who is interested in this career path...

1) Once graduating from R/I academy, what do people normally go on to do?
2) Is there any chance of becoming a full time officer or do you have to go to full time academy?
3) After graduating from R/I, a job isn't guaranteed right? You then have to search for a job and get hired by a PD as a reserve officer?
4) Does age impact the ability to get a job (40+)? If so, do you recommend another path like working at a hospital, college, etc? (what else?)
5) As a reserve officer, how many hours can you expect to work or does it vary based on the PD?

Many thanks - any insight you can provide me would be great.

And thanks to all the police officers out there for what you do every day. :)
 
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#2 ·
Hi, I'm interested in finding out what the career path is with R/I academy. I'm sorry if this information is easily/readily available and I'm just missing it. I've scoured the internet and can't seem to find a definitive answer and I do not know any police officers personally. Asking for a friend who is interested in this career path...
My answers are below in blue...Sorry I'm not good with the multi quote thing. Hope this helps
1) Once graduating from R/I academy, what do people normally go on to do?
Many will try to get a reserve job with a city or town. Some will go to work as special or seasonal officers, others will volunteer as an auxiliary officer. Others go onto work as a animal control officer, dispatcher or harbormaster etc.
2) Is there any chance of becoming a full time officer or do you have to go to full time academy?
In some cases yes you can work your way into a full time job but you will have to go back to the full time academy. Mass is infamous for making people go through multiple academies. I've also seen reserves passed over for full time jobs because of politics and outside candidates that already have a full time academy.
3) After graduating from R/I, a job isn't guaranteed right? You then have to search for a job and get hired by a PD as a reserve officer?
You are correct in that nothing is guaranteed. Unless you've already been hired by a pd and put through the reserve academy already you are going to have to go out and pound the pavement to find something.
4) Does age impact the ability to get a job (40+)? If so, do you recommend another path like working at a hospital, college, etc? (what else?)
No it shouldn't really limit your ability to do the actual job. What I have seen though is it's easier for the 20 somethings that still live at home with mommy and daddy to come in all the time and work shifts with very little notice where as if your older and have a regular full time job, childcare duties or just other adult stuff it's not always as easy.

5) As a reserve officer, how many hours can you expect to work or does it vary based on the PD?
It will vary based on the PD, I can say that in the summer I sometimes will get multiple calls a day for shifts and details. Obviously it slows down in the winter when there's less road work, full timers aren't taking a day off last second cause it's a nice day out, less vacation coverage etc.

Many thanks - any insight you can provide me would be great.

And thanks to all the police officers out there for what you do every day. :)
 
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