Federal LE / family life

[nate1]

This question is directed at federal LEO's with prior local experience.

In your opinion, did you have more family time while working locally or after making the switch to fed? Which is more conducive for first time parents?

I currently work locally but am considering making the switch. I work 4/10's, and every other month I have (3) four day weekends. Essentially if I stay on this schedule after the kid is born, I will not see her much during the work week because I go in at 1500-0100 and have court every morning at 0800. However the long weekends make it worthwhile, in my opinion.

[TXICE]

This question is directed at federal LEO's with prior local experience.

In your opinion, did you have more family time while working locally or after making the switch to fed? Which is more conducive for first time parents?

I currently work locally but am considering making the switch. I work 4/10's, and every other month I have (3) four day weekends. Essentially if I stay on this schedule after the kid is born, I will not see her much during the work week because I go in at 1500-0100 and have court every morning at 0800. However the long weekends make it worthwhile, in my opinion.

Current fed and retired local here. Fed life is much more suited for family life by and large. Forced OT and TDY's do happen, but im home alot more then when i was local. No more working off duty jobs at the end of a 10-12 tour of duty. No more weekend or holidays, for the most part. I miss local law enforcement alot and would go back if the money was there, but we all know it isnt. The "brotherhood" is much more alive and well in the local realm as well in my opinion. That being said, I do what's best for the family and stay with the G. Hope this helps.

[Switchback]

For the brotherhood in the fed realm, you just need to be with the right guys.

Then again, being with the right guys took me away a lot (like 6 months a year). These days, it is not nearly that bad (or good, depending on the perspective, as some missions were phenomenal). There are still some long days, as our days are dictated by the cases. But, all-in-all, you are home most evenings, holidays and weekends.

[Nole795]

As a former cop, family life is much better in the 1811 world. For the most part, I have weekends off and banker hours. Some times the cases will send me out of state or doing surveillance at night but that is not too often. I get called out may 6 times a year.

But I have never been drafted to work DUI on New Years Day, I have never gone in on Xmas, nor have I been stuck at work longer because the next tour was still doing roll call.

Plus I love every other Friday.

[nate1]

Thanks for the info guys/gals. I'm thinking I will soon embark on the long trek to 1811.....decisions, decisions. I just know that late shift with the p.d is for the birds.

[Kimble]

I had more fun more often when I worked patrol, but my wife is a whole lot happier with the lifestyle and me being home more often when she's awake now that I'm an 1811. I've liked both jobs, but the family seems to like the latter much more.

[Joeyd6]

I had more fun more often when I worked patrol, but my wife is a whole lot happier with the lifestyle and me being home more often when she's awake now that I'm an 1811. I've liked both jobs, but the family seems to like the latter much more.

I agree with a ROS. I had a blast on patrol. But the hours, pay, and politics were just too damn much. I was working patrol, about 30 hours OT a month, then 40 hours in my agency uniform doing security gigs, and then 48 hours in a security guard uniform at place that only hired cops. That would up being 288 hours or so and rarely a full day off.

Now I work M-F, and typically bankers hours. Because of my ancillary duties within my agency, I do frequently work a little longer day or later hours. But hey, I love what I do. And now I work about 10-11 hours a day or 200-220 hours a month, with weekends and holidays off.

[Group9]

It's going to be hard to get an answer that is accurate accross the board.

Many federal agenices have very different missions. An 1811 working bank fraud, is obviously going to be working banker's hours. An 1811 working drug cases, is going to be working drug dealer hours from time to time.

To get a more accurate answer, you must ask a more specific question. There are over 80 federal agenices that have 1811 criminal investigator/special agents working for them. Tell us which agency you are trying to work for, and we can give you a lot better information.

[nate1]

I haven't applied anywhere as of yet, still waiting to see how some other things pan out. The main 3 that I'm interested in, however, are the ATF, USPIS, and USMS. As I understand it, those 3 also offer a duty station prior to being hired. Is this correct?

[Stub]

I haven't applied anywhere as of yet, still waiting to see how some other things pan out. The main 3 that I'm interested in, however, are the ATF, USPIS, and USMS. As I understand it, those 3 also offer a duty station prior to being hired. Is this correct?

The USMS does advise you of your follow-on assignment at time of job offer.

[BP348]

USPIS & ATF Advise you of your duty location prior as well.

[Kimble]

USPIS & ATF Advise you of your duty location prior as well.

As do AFOSI and NCIS, and I believe serval Inspector General agencies do as well.

[Switchback]

As do AFOSI and NCIS, and I believe serval Inspector General agencies do as well.

Most IGs... then again, most IGs are in DC.

[Joeyd6]

Most IGs... then again, most IGs are in DC.

Not me! But most of they guys and gals I work with are all over, except for two agencies: Education IG (DC) and DOE IG- (Neveda, DC). But I don't know of an IG that does not give you teh duty post with the letter of hire. My agency did.

[Switchback]

Not me! But most of they guys and gals I work with are all over, except for two agencies: Education IG (DC) and DOE IG- (Neveda, DC). But I don't know of an IG that does not give you teh duty post with the letter of hire. My agency did.

Oh, I know you are not in DC. There are SO MANY of them, though... and most do tend to be in DC. Think of all the obscure, little ones that are out there.... Library of Congress, National Science Foundation, etc.