Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I'm hoping someone on here can give me an idea of what it's like working in a crime, conditions, or other NYPD street-level specialized unit. I'm trying to get an idea of the process involved with getting to one of those units (what are the chances? what has to happen? is it just who you know?), and what it's like to work in one. I've got a decision to make about where I'd like to end up eventually (NYPD vs feds) and having a solid idea of what is actually involved in some of the units I'd try to get into would help.

Are there other street-level teams out there (apart from SNEU) that might be available in the pd? Do guys usually stay there a while, or burn out quick? If you've worked in one, did you move one? Where to/what other opportunities/specialized units are available beyond patrol (except ESU and the squad)? Were you glad you did? Any guidance here would be great, because I'm in the weeds.

Before you worry about teams, and on the precinct level there are three (SNU, conditions and BAT), you will need to get hired, make it through the academy, survive Impact and then a few years on patrol. Those teams may not exist in the 4-5 years you are on the job and ready to go into, if there is an opening. You may not make it out of Patrol.

Joey -- thanks for the response. And all true, I know. The thing is, I'm deciding whether I'm going to try to survive the academy in the first place, or put in for a different job (fed). Part of that decision is looking at where I want to or could end up 5 or 10 years from now; I'm thinking about some of the street level teams I'd shoot for (if I try to go pd, then I would try to stay street oriented, and away from, eg, ESU and investigations), and how they work, if I actually would have a shot at getting into them, etc.
--sam

BTW: what is BAT?

Wrong way to look at it. If you are thinking NYPD, think Patrol....that is where most are. Units are usually political and it is not as fun as you think. Patrol is the backbone and were you will do the most "cop work."

You try for everything out there....chances are only one two will be able to land one or two. You can always say "no" or take it to get your foot in the door, and then change.

BAT = burglary apprehension team.