Unfortunately, I was a reserve officer, same job no pay, as I could not go full-time while I was also on active duty mil. Reserve officers differ across the country but here in CA we go through the academy and are (hired but not paid) by the local SO as an at-will employee. I was the team leader for the Dive Unit when I retired. As a PC832, we are not allowed to carry when we retire as a PC830 is. I have my CCW card that does not expire until 2017 but the reason for carry is listed as off-duty protection and I don't want the legal headache if I ever had to use it and defend the fact that I am retired as I would most likely get sued in a civil case by some surviving family member.
On a side note - yes, the ruby ridge ex-FBI agent now runs our SO and I will just leave it at that...........