Time spent at a single department

[Jeff L]

How long should one wait before transferring out of their current department to a more desirable position elsewhere?

[acreature]

At least til you're off of probation, if speaking of LE.

You don't want to become a velcro cop....one that changes departments a smuch as he changes underwear.

[Jeff L]

Not at all, i'm just thinking *way ahead* to when I might end up in a position/department that I later find I would really like to get out of as soon as I become eligible ;).

[adeputy]

If you didn't sign a contract stating you are required to work so many years...then when ever you feel comfortable. You might want to get off training and get your feet wet. A year isn't too bad, maybe as much as 3. The new department you will be looking at will be looking at you much closer. They will want to see your evals, your training, your reports..etc....

Hiring an already trained (lateral) officer saves them a hell of alot of money. But in the same token, did you pay back to the city that hired you originaly. Getting hired was the hard part...for me anyway. I worked probably one of the toughest citys in the country, I thought about leaving to some slower city, but they hired me, I'd give them at least 5 solid years. but then after 5 years you might not want too...

[Jeff L]

Thanks for the feedback, I would say 2 -3 years sounds reasonable but I figured I would ask those who actually had a better idea.

One other issue-- I just received a PM from a member here asking if I would post this question for him/her on the count that her/she cannot reply to this thread (and the question is relavent to the conversation):

--snip--

Does it "look bad" when you try to transfer to a different dept? ie:you applied to dept A,B,C. Nothing came from A, and B even though they were your top choices, but C is willing to hire. you take C's offer, but then try to transfer to A or B after some training.

--snip--

[acreature]

LE is a rotating door Career, for a lot of Officers. Stay with any dept., especially the one that gave you your first job, for an amount of thime that doesn't have them loose money for your training, equipment etc.... then transfer.

In LE, you have to be satisfied w/ you dept in order to make a diff in society. If you experience problems with a dept, of course try to leave, but show respect to the dept in regards to the one that hired you as a rook.

[Sleuth]

If you do change agencies, always smile and thank everyone you worked with, no matter how you feel about them. We had a guy who told us all off, waved his middle digit, and left Friday afternoon. Monday Afternoon, he was standing in front of the boss, shuffling his feet, asking for his job back. The boss told him "his position had already been filled!" Had he kept his mouth shut, smiled & waved with all his fingers, he could have come back. Too bad!

[Jeff L]

Did he not think he new employer would call for a reference (or is that what happened? ;) )

[mcsap]

It is difficult for us to do this because we do NOT have a statewide pension plan. If I work at one department for 9 yrs and than leave to go to another dept. the 9 yrs is GONE and I have to start all over to reach enough time to draw a pension.

I did vest my pension at 12 yrs so I could now leave and at least get a partial pension someday.