Except for the limited purposes stated herein, no member of the police reserve force shall be deemed to be a city employee, nor within the scope or effect of civil service ordinances or regulations of the city, nor entitled to any benefits under police pension laws or any other benefits or retirement plans for city employees. Members of the police reserve force shall serve without compensation; provided, that the city council in its discretion may provide all or part of the costs of uniforms, equipment and/or insurance.