Where to go?

[GigAg04]

Howdy all. This is one of my first questions as an applicant.

I have a few applications out with Texas LEAs.

I have already passed my BI for TxDPS and test on monday and interview tuesday with them. Also, I am going to test (civil service exam) for Mesquite and some other DFW municipal PD's in Feb. (I live in Houston area)

I have done a ride with a troop, and spoken with a handful city PD officers. I know there are huge differences between the two lines of work.

I was curious if some of you could weigh in the type of police work you do, and why you like it so much? ie:

Better shifts (4 x10s vs 5 x 9s)
Pay
Benefits
Quality of work
Etc..


Also, as a follow up, if you were to start looking for a place to start your career as an LEO in TX, where you try to get in and why?

I've had a SO deputy buddy of mine warn me from departments that make you fill out paperwork for every minor contact, or that won't back you when the SHTF. While these things didn't even occur to me, it is now something to look at. Any other advice?

Thanks in advance,

[txinvestigator1]

GigAg04 is a good guy. I know him personally and think he will make a great LEO.

We talked about this thread before he posted it, and he has looked over similar threads.

I think a compare and contrast between a state and local officer would really benefit him.

[Samuel]

Better shifts (4 x10s vs 5 x 9s)
Pay
Benefits
Quality of work
Etc..

All else being equal (pay/benefits/etc), I think I'd prefer working 40 hours (4x10) instead of 45 hours (5x9). "QUALITY" of work depends upon YOU individually.

When I was trying to get hired, I would have taken a sworn position ANYWHERE in the SoCal area - I just wanted to do the job. IMO, every agency has pros/cons, things you'll like/dislike. IF it's That Bad, you can try to lateral later on OR just don't apply...

[Johninaustin]

4-10 for sure. I'm currently in a classroom enviroment (5-8's) and and really antsy about it lasting the next 3 weeks. It seems like there isn't time to do ANYTHING after work :eek:

As for "every little contact" I think that he probably means racial profiling chits. It's not that bad, we can do them on the MDT's these days and it only takes seconds. Since they exist to cover your butt I wholeheartedly approve of them. ;)

As for the rest, there are really too many variables. I think we have a pretty good pay scale, but that would depend on your cost of living and lifestyle.

One thing to consider is the retirement plan. (It's hard to get young guys to look at that) Ours is separate from all other city employees and frankly, is a whole lot better. I'm at 12% contribution and can retire in 2013. (Though I'll more than likely say in til I hit 26 years)

A good buddy of mine maxed his contribution thru-out his career and actually got a 4% pay raise when he retired in 2008. At age 57 His retirement income is over $100K

[xndr]

Other things to consider..

What is the departments philosophy? Is this a small town that is more customer service oriented or a large city that is stat driven.

Have you looked at some of their policies (If public)? Use of Force is always a good policy to consider before you commit to an agency.

Commute time? Do you live far from/close to/from the agency.. A long commute can really suck if you're working 12's.

This list is infinite.. Every department differs and there is no greener grass. Some departments are better then others in different places but worse in others. Its all about finding a fit for you. HOWEVER, with this economy it may be better just to find a place that will hire you. If it sucks, stick it out and lateral later once you're seasoned.

Best of luck to you friend.

[GigAg04]

Thank you taking the time to reply! If I may, I have some follow up.

Taking what you guys have told me I listed out what I know:

TxDPS Trooper:

• 5 x 8 hr shifts (and 1hr for lunch so 9)
• 2 weeks of days, 2 weeks of nights, one 4 day weekend a month
• Take home car
• Great 6 month paramilitary academy
• Starts you at about $36k/year
• May have to relocate, or be deployed down south for a couple weeks once in a while, but I could also stay in this area possibly.
• Workload is primarily highway traffic enforcement (slash drug interdiction) and accidents.
• Troops that I know have said about 80% of their time is on the road, and 20% is in the office.
• Often far from backup if the SHTF.

A dallas area municipal PD (Mesquite, Flower Mound, Grand Praire):

• 4 x 10 hr shifts, set schedule and days off
• Take home car possibility (I know of at least one officer that had one his first year with MPD)
• Starting salaries of +/- $50k/yr even while they send you to academy
• Oppurtunities to do other things besides patrol later on
• Seem to be more involved in the community
• More variety of calls

As far as quality of work, I'm wondering if some of you could speak to which type of work YOU prefer and why? Do you like the day to day of being with a municipal agency, or would rather be working the highways as a troop?

Another thought is if I move to dallas, the extra day off could be used to get ahead by picking up some extra jobs, and getting some money put away for when my girlfriend would move up and we'd get married - maybe get a house.

(also looking into Austin PD - but their academy isn't for another year)

Thanks in advance gents!

[BP348]

Another thing you may want to consider is what type of positions do each agency offer? Things like, SWAT, Investigations, Narcotics, VICE, gangs & the list could go on

What type of work would you be interested in and does either the PD or DPS match what you want to do? Some guys love patrol and have done it for 20+ years while others move to an investigation type position A.S.A.P.

I also give a big +1 to the retirement issue. As stated it may not seem important now but some day it will be.

FYI,
TX giving you a good recomendation says a lot!!

Good Luck

[GigAg04]

Retirement:

State uses it's own employee retirement system called ERS. I checked the website but I couldn't make any sense of the 6 page PDF.

The municipal agencies use TMRS (Texas municipal retirement system) which seems pretty standard here.

Please advise

Thanks!

Not sure which is better. In addition to matched retirement I plan on maintaining and maxing my Roth IRA.

[Samuel]

I have 4/10's now and would hate to go back to 5/8's (or 5/9's). There is a pretty big difference between 36k and 50k - what's the difference in cost of living?

Again, Quality is not the word you're looking for - types or kinds of work or duties/responsibilities would be more apropos. IMO, you should take a look and see what works or matches better for YOU - just because one of us likes or dislikes what we do doesn't mean YOU'LL like or dislike those types of duties/responsibilities...

[Ispbear]

I'm not sure how the Texas DPS compares with my state but I will tell you why I like being a State Trooper. In the area I live, my pay is higher than any of the cities and towns. I work a rotating shift also, 2 weeks of night, 2 weeks of days. Even though this gets old after awhile, I love working nights but on my 2 weeks of days I get to spend time with my boys at night. I also like working traffic enforcement, I actually meet a lot of nice people (I'm not a road Nazi and give a lot of warnings out) but you still never now what your going to get into. I live in a rural area which means I help the local Pd's and SO's out when they get the "good" calls and yet I don't half to deal with the BS noise complaints and nuisance calls that they have to deal with.
It always comes down to a personal preference of what you want to do in LE.

Good Luck with your decision.

[GigAg04]

It seems similar to here, except some of the muni's in DFW are paying almost 15k more per year, with a better schedule. That holds alot of value, but I also think DPS is a good, reuputable organization.

Can some of you city guys speak as to the pros of working in a municpal PD?

Thanks again gentlemen, you guys are helping a ton!!