Applying to a PD cross country??

[utvolman99]

Is there anyway to compress some of the trips you would have to take? I am currently located in Tennessee. When the time comes, I will be considering PDs in CA, TX, CO, OR, NV and FL. What would be the best way to go about this?

I can make a trip to pretty much anywhere in the country for around $200 on Southwest but with...

Written test = 1 trip
Oral test two weeks later = trip 2
Background investigation and Physical Test four weeks later = trip 3
Polygraph test four weeks later = trip 4
Medical examination two weeks later = trip 5
Psych test two weeks later = trip 6

Thats $1,200 and that just one PD! I would love to apply to the following:
Hayward, CA
Vallejo, CA
Sunnydale, CA
Concord, CA
Riverside, CA
Eugene, OR
Henderson, NV
Las Vegas, NV
North Las Vegas, NV
Reno, NV
Aurrora, CO
Ft. Collins, CO
Denver, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
San Antonio, TX
Plano, TX
Austin, TX
Orlando, FL

Should I just pick one or two PDs from my list? Do PDs work to accomidate out of state applicants? I have a feeling that I will test really well, could a high test score make it more likely that they will work with me?

Thanks for the help!

[cecilVA]

Check which ones have out of town testing that compresses all the steps into a few days. A lot of big cities usually offer that (Las Vegas and San Antonio do that I think). If that won't work then you may need to limit your choices to go with your budget...and to keep you sane.

Oh forgot to add, I don't think a high test score will make them more willing to work with you. Remember they have lots of applicants. But they may be accomodating to a certain degree.

[mcsap]

WIth Airtran you can earn free flights quickly

Have you considered one or two of the towns and than looked to apply to big and smaller depts in the same area ? "Smaller" dept's don't necessarily mean small pay and bennies.

[gijoeyl33]

dallas does this also, i went down there for their testing. atlanta, which u did not mention is hiring left and right, its relativly close, and their process is quick. just curious though what part of TN you are in. im in TN as well and LE pays poorly here so i can see why you wanna move.

Check which ones have out of town testing that compresses all the steps into a few days. A lot of big cities usually offer that (Las Vegas and San Antonio do that I think). If that won't work then you may need to limit your choices to go with your budget...and to keep you sane.

Oh forgot to add, I don't think a high test score will make them more willing to work with you. Remember they have lots of applicants. But they may be accomodating to a certain degree.

[ngcsubutterbar]

ATL doesn't pay that well either hehe.

[utvolman99]

dallas does this also, i went down there for their testing. atlanta, which u did not mention is hiring left and right, its relativly close, and their process is quick. just curious though what part of TN you are in. im in TN as well and LE pays poorly here so i can see why you wanna move.

I am in Dickson, TN right now. It's a small town about an hour west of Nashville. I am originally from Knoxville and have lived in Chattanooga. I have looked at Atlanta and they pay about the same as the Tennessee PDs if you figure you have to live in Atlanta!

[ngcsubutterbar]

are you talking about living in the city of atlanta, or where most of the workers live, the counties surrounding the city.

[gijoeyl33]

LOL.........im in clarksville

I am in Dickson, TN right now. It's a small town about an hour west of Nashville. I am originally from Knoxville and have lived in Chattanooga. I have looked at Atlanta and they pay about the same as the Tennessee PDs if you figure you have to live in Atlanta!

[gijoeyl33]

no no, you dont understand. atlanta will start someone out that has a two year degree with 32,000. consider that where me and the thread starter live alot of departments here start out at under 20,000. its just impossible to live off that. with the exception of chatanooga, nashville, and memphis in this big *** state there are just no reasonble paying departments.

ATL doesn't pay that well either hehe.

[mcsap]

The southeastern US PD's pay the least as a geographic area of anywhere in the USA. I think the NE pays the highest.

We start at 32k with NO experience. Harrisburg City PD ( capitol of PA) starts at 44K.

[cecilVA]

Ha ha NE pays the highest because its so damn expensive up there!! In the metro areas at least...

[chrispix]

From what I understand the Dallas area PD's start around 38-44

[cecilVA]

Yep, DFW area PDs all pay very well and the cost of living is lower than most major cities. And Texas has no state income tax. Here in the DC area, they pay about the same as in DFW but the cost of living is a lot higher.

[blue]

Ha ha NE pays the highest because its so damn expensive up there!! In the metro areas at least...

So, earning 44,000 in the North would be equiv. to earning 20,000 in the South? Hmm..Call me naive, but I would love to hear this confirmed by some other people who live in NE...

[ngcsubutterbar]

20k is a few k a year above the national poverty line.