Not anymore.
Yup. Actual police officers can usually assert qualified immunity to shield themselves from personal liability in cases like this. I don't know that a pay-to-play reserve officer will be able to do the same.
“... pay-to-play reserve officer ...”
Until I read about this incident, I never knew that kind of thing even existed. I knew about reserves, but not pay-to-play.
I suppose if he was sworn in and had some level of training beforehand, he may be able to get home free. But I suspect the LEO are circling the wagons on this one.