My reading of the law says they have to be under supervision.

Maybe the supervising officer can sign off on the ticket after the fact.

What statute covers reserve police officers?

We have a highly unpopular individual in Broadus, now on the reserve force who has speeded up close behind a vehicle (apparently to see if the plates are current), will follow a car with a trailer to a stop sign to see if the trailer lights work (make the car sit until the light is fixed), etc. One traveler from Minnesota had to stay overnight to fix a problem paying the fine (the local citizens later gathered money, apologized for the reserve officer's actions, and refunded the fines), recently a prominent businesswoman was stopped, she refused to roll down her window to this officer, and was cited for obstruction of justice. I have heard many people say they will vote the sheriff out of office for allowing this individual on the force.

Don,

Why don't you go speak with the Sheriff about your concerns and issues. I am sure he will take the proper action for the department best interest and for those of the community.

Yeah. Ask the sheriff. There are those "out there" who think the local sheriff should have ultimate authority over all in his jurisdiction. Something about stopping the New World Order. I can't see any possibility of anything going wrong with that plan.

the sheriff will not address this issue.
because he could care less what you or I think.
having complained about my concerns and watching how
the sheriff dealt with the problem showed me the answer to any
law enforcement problem in powder river county lies at the state level.
as in: call Helena. because you wont get anywhere speaking to the sheriff or the other keystone cops they have employed.
after speaking to other resident's of this county.....

I find my experience with the sheriff's department is not unique.

Actually, anyone can make an arrest:

http://www.wikihow.com/Ma...27s-Arrest

Your most practical legal retaliation would take place inside a courtroom in the form of a lawsuit. You could also contact another law enforcement which shares jurisdiction in the area. The best course of action is to attempt to cooperate with as little resistance as possible and then secure an attorney and "take 'em to court".

Losing thousands of dollars inside a courtroom will almost always lead to precautionary moves to prevent further occurrences.

FH

I would be very cautious. Once a person is "known to law enforcement" as they put it, or "not appreciative" they're screwed. If the system is corrupt and needs a scapegoat to pin something on, you might be their boy. It is really hard to find justice nowadays, why set yourself up? Whatever you do, don't tell the clown that "bad cops like you are why good cops get blown away." That didn't work out well for a friend in Spokane once.