NCJ Number
149367
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1994) Pages: 20-23
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement administrators face a distinct set of legal issues when using volunteers as a reserve component to supplement and assist full-time police officers.
Abstract
Customarily, reserve officers receive no monetary compensation for their services, although some police departments pay for uniforms and other incidental costs. Compensating reserve officers, even on a periodic or occasional basis, may raise legal questions about their volunteer status. Generally, however, reserve officers may be paid expenses and reasonable benefits without losing their status as volunteers. U.S. Department of Labor rules clearly stipulate that volunteers are not employees, and a U.S. Supreme Court decision distinguishes between volunteers in commercial versus noncommercial organizations. Unions and worker's compensation represent additional legal issues for law enforcement administrators to consider when using volunteers. Administrators must also be aware of the possible legal ramifications of allowing volunteers to perform police duties without sufficient training. 14 endnotes