LEO's and others need your opinion please

[Djstorm100]

Wow, I didn't expect to have this many responces in such a short time. Thanks everyone!

I don't know about you, but around here the average department pays 30-35k a year. I've seen a job posting for as high as 48k but that was City of Cincinnati. I know it's the same with police jobs right now, but the market is tanked right now for Fire, EMS or LEO positions.

As for OP. I would say stay where you are but take a few civil service exams to see where it leads you. I wouldn't quit your job to go through an academy on your dime. Most departments prefer to train you their way.

I'm kind of in your shoes about deciding the future so I know where you're at to an extent. Best of luck with your choice and with battling your illness.

I've google "civial service exams" and nothing really poped up other than saying it's a test to gauge your skills in certain subject matters. Didn't say who or where the test is administered at.

[Eurodriver]

Why? Why not be able to serve and put food on a family of four's table and still live comfortably? He doesnt have to serve, but if he gives up his current life he should do it in the most economically smart way.

Is it economically smart to move across the country with no support network in order to make $5,000 more a year?

I do what I want to do because I want to do it. Not because I might make money. I never once looked at military pay scales before I joined and I couldn't care less what my future job's pay is either.

If you want to serve you should do it because you love it. I would be a Marine *for free*. Once you start getting assholes seeking LEO jobs because the pay is good you get the same people who, when confronted with a bad situation, have the reaction of "They don't pay me enough for this shit." I know you've been there LSHD. You probably heard it at the armory at 0330.

But one of my greatest mentors divorced his wife to do a tour of MSG duty. So take my advice with a grain of salt, I'm damaged goods.

[Voodoo_Man]

Pay has a lot to do with it. Pensions specifically.

If my dept did not offer a pension all of a sudden I'd go to another dept that did. I want to live comfortably and many LEOs in this county do not live comfortably and that is pathetic.

I went to a class recently, there was a tactical officer from the south who makes 1/3rd of what I do. That's pathetic.

The higher paid a LEO is the better his work should be and more could and should be expected from them. Why do you think NJSP and the depts like them require bachelor's and to go through their academy? They want specific people and are willing to pay top dollar for it.

[jondoe297]

I wouldn't quit your job to go through an academy on your dime. Most departments prefer to train you their way.

That depends largely on the area. Around here, already being state-certified is a huge plus. There's a handful of agencies that don't do laterals, preferring to do it "their way". However they are far outnumbered by the "We don't have to pay to train you? You're hired!" agencies.

[jondoe297]

Are you taking a survey, or are you serious?

I want to serve and make as much as I can. How's that? The more I make the better.

I would guess that would go for any profession.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Amen.

[JSantoro]

Police start out at 37k and get 2.5% increase after 6 months. FD gets 30-33k starting out.

Base salaries.

Overtime hours/pay and the way each structures it almost always ends up being different, but it'd be unusual in the extreme for either to not get it.

I'm a big fan of the sure thing, in terms of money, but just because I've never counted upon overtime, bonuses, etc. as plannable income except in instances where they're a no-kidding foregone conclusion (I used to have a job where the work week was 48hrs, so the extra 8hrs was guaranteed, mandatory overtime), I've not completely discounted them as part of the whole picture, either.

How does each promote (baseline interval), and what's the bump per grade (baseline amount). How do the differences between the two, if any, compare? Does one start out at a comparatively low rate, yet promote quickly enough or salary-stepped in such a way as to make it more appealing than the other?

If we were talking boats, you'd be looking at them both from the waterline, up. Get your snorkel, there's some important stuff underneath....

[Irish]

FWIW - I'm not a cop but I have several friends who are. From the process they went through I can tell you that sometimes it's easier to get hired on to a smaller department, that pays less, and after a little time under your belt transfer to the place you really want to be. For them, maybe not always, it was definitely the only route they had available to them to get hired on to the larger departments they eventually wanted to be working for.

Good luck!

[CoryCop25]

I started as a police officer at $8.73 an hour. Now with 15 years on and 14 to go, money is a big issue. I may be still serving the community but to the community, I am not serving, I am harassing. Money is an issue because in my home, I am the only source of income and it has been next to impossible to keep my head above water the past few years.
To the OP, do what your heart tells you to do. The world needs engineers, mechanics, truck drivers, garbage men and store clerks as much as they need soldiers, cops, medics and firefighters.

[wahoo95]

Check into some of the Federal Agencies. Also keep in mind some Fire Departments only work so many days a month leaving time for you to have another job. Charlotte Fire works 10 days a month.

[J-Dub]

I may be still serving the community but to the community, I am not serving, I am harassing.

To the OP, do what your heart tells you to do. The world needs engineers, mechanics, truck drivers, garbage men and store clerks as much as they need soldiers, cops, medics and firefighters.

Great post. Do what you want, but realize its not all sunshine and car chases (although those are interesting and fun).