University PD or City PD

[paxman]

I am having a hard time deciding on whether or not to pursue a job with a University PD or with the City PD. I eventually want to go federal and don't know if the two jobs would carry different weight. The reason I am leaning towards to Univ. PD is because they are going to pay for me to go to grad school. I guess what I am asking is, does the experience from the city PD carry more weight than the experience with the masters from the Univ. PD?

[DeltaV]

It all depends on the university, however as a rule you aren't going to get the same level of experience working for a university that you'll get working outside of such an environment. In addition to basic law enforcement, university officers do a lot of what many people would consider security type work--unlocking doors for staff members, checking to make sure call boxes work, making rounds of buildings, etc. There is less crime on campuses than in cities, so you're going to be exposed to less in the way of activity and investigations.

My department has many different specialized units with lots of opportunities for advancement. We have a large university in my city, and I think their only specialized unit is a motorcycle traffic unit. I believe they have only one or two detectives while we probably have about 100. There are opportunities that you can probably get in a large municipal/county department that would look good if applying as a criminal investigator with the federal government (such as undercover work, surveillance, etc.) that you just won't get working for a university PD.

[Safety Steve]

I am having a hard time deciding on whether or not to pursue a job with a University PD or with the City PD. I eventually want to go federal and don't know if the two jobs would carry different weight. The reason I am leaning towards to Univ. PD is because they are going to pay for me to go to grad school. I guess what I am asking is, does the experience from the city PD carry more weight than the experience with the masters from the Univ. PD?

If someone is offering you a job and will pay for your grad school, you better take advantage of it. That is like someone offering you $50,000 to $100,000 just to go to school. Just having a masters opens more doors for you at all levels (federal, pd, or even civilian). I bet your young enough that in 3 to 5 years you could then move on to fed or pd job if you don't like the university. Here in TX, university police are on the same level as other peace officers. You would be a commissioned officer. Let us know what ya decide.


Be Safe.

[retdetsgt]

If someone is offering you a job and will pay for your grad school, you better take advantage of it. That is like someone offering you $50,000 to $100,000 just to go to school. Just having a masters opens more doors for you at all levels (federal, pd, or even civilian). I bet your young enough that in 3 to 5 years you could then move on to fed or pd job if you don't like the university. Here in TX, university police are on the same level as other peace officers. You would be a commissioned officer. Let us know what ya decide.


Be Safe.

+1

The feds hire people all the time with no local experience. Go for where you can get a cheap education. They'll like that better.

[Safety Steve]

+1

The feds hire people all the time with no local experience. Go for where you can get a cheap education. They'll like that better.

And you have plenty of time to get your adrenaline flow on!


Be Safe.

[retdetsgt]

No kidding. I mostly dealt with the FBI and very few SA's had local experience. Nearly all I worked around came more or less from college. I wouldn't lose sleep over which one they would prefer.

But get your education in something besides CJ. Shoot for a degree in a field that you can actually use like computer science, accounting, etc.

[paxman]

I think I am going to pick the Univ. PD. It is a larger university and I will get free grad school so I cant really rationalize going elsewhere. I just was not sure if the masters with the University pd experience would carry more or less weight for the feds compared to a local PD. Thanks a lot for your help, I will keep you posted.

[paxman]

I am getting my MPA. I did an internship with the feds in college and a lot of the guys recommended the MPA as a safe and versatile degree. I was a business major for the first half of undergrad and was not too fond of it, so I figured MPA is a good way to go.

[retdetsgt]

I am getting my MPA. I did an internship with the feds in college and a lot of the guys recommended the MPA as a safe and versatile degree. I was a business major for the first half of undergrad and was not too fond of it, so I figured MPA is a good way to go.

MPA is an excellent choice, especially if you have any designs on upward movement.

[greg72982]

College degrees actually mean something in Texas? Maybe I should move...

[retdetsgt]

College degrees actually mean something in Texas? Maybe I should move...

I believe Steve has mentioned that.

[BP348]

As far as feds go I would think that either would be OK. But as stated the biggest plus you can give yourself is a few years experience and a masters degree.

[paxman]

Yea, I agree. Thanks for the advice!