Patrolling the streets of our neighborhoods isn’t a job to Reserve Officer Tony Metcalfe.
It’s a hobby.
In his spare time from his real job as a freelance television producer, Metcalfe volunteers as one of 80 reserve officers with the Dallas police department. His most recent assignment is patrolling neighborhood streets and serving as Cpl. Rick Janich’s partner.
“I figure I’ll do it the rest of my life,” Metcalfe says. “It’s something that you always dream of when you’re a little kid, you know, ‘I want to be a fireman. I want to be a policeman.’”
“I hate comparing it to a hobby. But hey, it’s a cool hobby.”
Metcalfe has been volunteering with the department for a year-and-a-half and has the responsibilities and authority of any other officer – he just doesn’t get paid.
He went through training at the police academy, just like all other officers, attending four hours on Tuesday and Thursday nights and all day Saturdays.
Most reserve officers work special events, such as the State Fair or Texas/OU weekend. But there are a few such as Metcalfe who do it on a consistent basis. He volunteers eight to 16 hours a week. Between policing and his real job, Metcalfe says he typically works 60 to 80 hours a week.
“A majority of them do it because they want to do something for their City,” Janich says.
“It’s a neat job. You get to see things no one else gets to see.”
