A few career questions...

[CrazyBosnian]

I've been thinking of applying at a couple of local agancies and becoming a LEO for quite some time now. While i've done a lot of research on things, there is some stuff i'm still not clear on...

1. If the starting pay is lets say 35k per yr. and you work 40 hrs a week, is overtime (as long as you want to/have to work more than 40 hrs) paid just like it is on regular jobs (i know this probably differs from department to department, but what has been your experience on this)

2. I basically have 2 departments that i will apply to. One has regular 8 hr shifts and one has 12 hr shifts with i believe only 15 working days in the month. Considering that either one of these hire me, which schedule do you think is better? I'm leaning towards the 12 hr shifts(i work long hours now and am used to it plus you get more free days off).

Thanks for any help, and if you have other suggestions feel free to add them.

[Valor55]

If you have a family with kids I think the 8 hour day is better because you get to see your kids more. The 12 hour shift is nice because of all the time off but on the days I worked them I never saw my family.

[CrazyBosnian]

If you have a family with kids I think the 8 hour day is better because you get to see your kids more. The 12 hour shift is nice because of all the time off but on the days I worked them I never saw my family.

Thanks for the response. Thats the thing, i'm single and young. I think i could benefit more from the extra days off.