Terry, it's right in the original story:

Auxiliary officers are civilian volunteers who wear uniforms, are unarmed and help patrol streets.

>>http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/auxiliary.html
>
>This doesn't say if they're paid or not but I assume not. However, it says same training and eqpt as the regulars, so doesn't say no gun. If they receive the same training, as in Greensboro, same no. of hours too, why should that preclude their carrying a gun?
>
>>here in Greensboro, NC:
>>http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Departments/Police/Opportunities/reserves.htm
>
>Doesn't say owt about pay but, as mentions they accompany "paid" police, it suggests tehy're not.
>
>Hence they sound very much like our "special constables"
>A cop I knew once told me that the "specials" are hated by the reg's, cos they take their overtime away from them. He also said that regs don't break their necks rushing to their aid either (I don't know how serious he was on this 2nd point).
>>
>>
>>>That doesn't really answer my question. Are you saying then that volunteers aren't afforded the same protection as regular cops, or bank and security guards?
>>>
>>>>Because they were volunteers.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17623078/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I saw this. I had no idea that you had police like that in the US. With the levels of gun ownership there they must have been very brave to respond to any sort of call.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Nick
>>>>>
>>>>>I suppose it's like our "special constables"? But were they unarmed cos they were off-duty or cos they don't get guns?