Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello all,
I'm a police dispatcher from St. Louis, MO. I'm 19 and am starting to do my research on where I want to become an LEO once I graduate college. So far my plan has been to remain in STL, but i'm entertaining the though of moving elsewhere, and my #1 choice would probably be Texas. With this in mind, i'm curious what are some of the best agencies to work for there? I've looked at the Harris County Sherrifs Office, though i've heard the Houston area is a pretty nasty city to live in. I'm also looking into the San Antonio area. So basically i'm looking for a good agency to work for that doesn't involve living in a bad location.

One deal breaker though is I need to be paid through the academy if I move elsewhere, as having no job through the academy is not really feasible when I have no family in Texas.

Any advice/information would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

The Texas Highway Patrol is always looking for a few good people! Google Texas DPS and click on the recruiting page. Austin PD and surrounding towns are also good places to work. Good luck to you.



Be Safe.

Thanks for the quick reply! Texas DPS is indeed on my list of agencies that I have been looking at, though state agencies have both pros and cons for me. Highest on the list of cons being that they can move you anywhere in the state they want to at any time, second being the high response times for backup in rural law enforcement situations.

Thanks for the quick reply! Texas DPS is indeed on my list of agencies that I have been looking at, though state agencies have both pros and cons for me. Highest on the list of cons being that they can move you anywhere in the state they want to at any time, second being the high response times for backup in rural law enforcement situations.

Well, Just don't mess up and you won't be getting relocated! As far as the backup concern. Son, when it's your time to go (die) it won't matter if you have 50 people assisting you on that stop! But then again, I have heard of LE in cities that won't get out of their cars on traffic stops until their backup arrives.


Be Safe.

Is anybody familiar with the Leauge City PD? Is it a good department to work for and/or a good place to live in?

Stay as far away from Harris County as you can.You have a Sheriff there that would rather have over 100 people on his administrative staff, than to put more Deputies on the street. And although a lot of Departments are willing to throw you under the bus, this place will not only throw you under the bus, but will just keep running you over. They are so short out there, and it gets worse every day. More and more people are leaving on their first eligible retirement date, and not sticking around to see if things get better. I retired from there after 27 years and the last three were miserable. Their medical / health benefits are being cut, and their retirement is being messed with. Personnel are deserting this place like the proverbial rats leaving the sinking ship. Whatever you do, please stay as far away from that rat hole as you can. As far as League City, I know a couple of the guys on the P.D. there and they seem to really like it. As far as a nice place to live, anywhere outside the city limits of Houston is not too bad.

But then again, I have heard of LE in cities that won't get out of their cars on traffic stops until their backup arrives.

Sad.

Have to agree with ya there Cat_Doc. I have no problem working on my own, but I do like knowing if I end up in a bad situation I can have help there in a semi timely manner. I'm still debating this right now, but i'm actually really starting to lean towards being a state trooper, despite the previously mentioned issue. Still debating on where to go though.

Come on over to the San Antonio area. SAPD has a great program and even some of the smaller agencies pay fairly well.