Part time or Auxillary

[littleguy]

I am thinking about maybe looking in to a career in law enforcement. Here is my dilema. I am 34 y/o with no law enforcement training or Criminal Justice education. I am wondering if maybe I should try a part time or auxillary program with a department to see if it is for me. If anyone could give me any advice and maybe refer me to any departments around Chicago or suburbs that have a program would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and be safe out there.

[Z71Mike]

I am not sure if you are aware of this yet but most departments have an age requirement which state that you must be at least 21 years of age or under 35 years of age to be eligible to attain a position in L/E. (You must be appointed before your 35th birthday) With that in mind, whatever you are going to do you need to do quick. Good luck.

[rgw1977]

While there is the "Under 35" age limitation, most departments also have an exception for those over 35 who have prior law enforcement experience, which almost always includes part-time sworn and sometimes unpaid, volunteer auxiliary service. All depends on the department. These rules are for agencies that have a Police and Fire Commission, which is required for agencies that serve a population of 5000+ and is in place in many smaller communities also. From what I can tell, there are no age limitations for agencies without a Police and Fire Commission, unless department policies and hiring guidelines specify otherwise, but I could be mistaken.

[Item9]

I believe there is a difference between P/T and auxillary. Typically P/T is looking for a sworn officer to cover some shifts on an hourly wage.

Auxillary is for the desk jockeys and soccer moms that want to be weekend warriors (I'm not saying that in a negative way). Auxillary details differ greatly depending on the municipality. In my area, some only get called in for festivals, parades, etc as extra uniformed security. Some departments you can be the 2nd man in the car, but you don't get paid for it. Some departments pay you for all the time you're on the clock. Some departments put an aux. officer in a car and let them ride around town all night as extra eyes, to sit on tows, premis checks, etc.

Try calling around to your home department or those in the area.

In my area I'm aware of Auxillery officers in:
Forest Park
Berwyn?
Cicero
Elmwood Park
Franklin Park
River Grove
Norridge
La Grange Park?
Bridgeview

Many of these require something like 20 hrs/month and attend one meeting. Some have oppertunities as often as daily.

[ChiTownDet]

That's a good point. Aux. may or may not get paid, but more often than not don't get compensated. I have yet to hear of P/T P/O not being paid.

Check out Ill. Compiled Statutes

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp

(65 ILCS 5/3.1‑30‑20) "Defines Aux. P/O's"

(65 ILCS 5/3.1‑30‑21) "Defines P/T P/O"

(65 ILCS 5/10‑2.1‑1) "Fire-Police Commission"

(65 ILCS 5/10‑2.1‑6) "Age restrictions for F/T"

[cclawdog]

I believe there is a difference between P/T and auxillary. Typically P/T is looking for a sworn officer to cover some shifts on an hourly wage.

Auxillary is for the desk jockeys and soccer moms that want to be weekend warriors (I'm not saying that in a negative way). Auxillary details differ greatly depending on the municipality. In my area, some only get called in for festivals, parades, etc as extra uniformed security. Some departments you can be the 2nd man in the car, but you don't get paid for it. Some departments pay you for all the time you're on the clock. Some departments put an aux. officer in a car and let them ride around town all night as extra eyes, to sit on tows, premis checks, etc.

Try calling around to your home department or those in the area.

In my area I'm aware of Auxillery officers in:
Forest Park
Berwyn?
Cicero
Elmwood Park
Franklin Park
River Grove
Norridge
La Grange Park?
Bridgeview

Many of these require something like 20 hrs/month and attend one meeting. Some have oppertunities as often as daily.

Oh I think you are being a bit negative LOL Please for the love of god don't get wrapped up in outside organizations that "whore" themselves to municipalities as AUX police. Take this guys suggestion and stay within in a PD. You reputation as an officer will be way more respected if you do.

Doesn't Rosemont still have PT POs? And if I'm not mistaken Crestwood is ALL part timers

[Oldskoolfan]

I believe Crestwood is all part timers except for 1 or 2 officers. When I was living up in Orland Park, I was going to apply to get some experience and get my foot in the door.

[littleguy]

I would like to thank everyone for their opinions. I called several departments some very professional and some very cold. I was informed if I had a part time certification I could apply. Since, I do not, I will move on and stay in management. Thanks again.

[cclawdog]

try the intern program for the academy if you really want to do this. U go through same process as a dept puts u thru too, you are just paying your own way instead of a dept pickin up the tab

[PDlife4ME]

Doesn't Rosemont still have PT POs?

Rosemont has FT Public Safety Officers(Police, Fire, EMS combined)

and about 2,354,924 Auxiliary Police Officers












well I might be exaggerating a bit......

I'd say roughly about 250 Auxi P/O's ... give or take

[iflyem1]

I believe there is a difference between P/T and auxillary. Typically P/T is looking for a sworn officer to cover some shifts on an hourly wage.

Auxillary is for the desk jockeys and soccer moms that want to be weekend warriors (I'm not saying that in a negative way). Auxillary details differ greatly depending on the municipality. In my area, some only get called in for festivals, parades, etc as extra uniformed security. Some departments you can be the 2nd man in the car, but you don't get paid for it. Some departments pay you for all the time you're on the clock. Some departments put an aux. officer in a car and let them ride around town all night as extra eyes, to sit on tows, premis checks, etc.

Try calling around to your home department or those in the area.

In my area I'm aware of Auxillery officers in:
Forest Park
Berwyn?
Cicero
Elmwood Park
Franklin Park
River Grove
Norridge
La Grange Park?
Bridgeview

Many of these require something like 20 hrs/month and attend one meeting. Some have oppertunities as often as daily.

CICERO just did away with their Aux, from waht I hear. They are now Community Service Ofc's.