Fluxuation of job market

[Fury]

In your opinions, how do you view the job outlook in LE? I have heard that as of right now, the job oportunities are few and far in between. If so, do you see this changing in the future? How has September 11 changed the job oportunities? Just curious, thanks in advance for your replies!

[chris2001]

Jobs in Kansas for LE right now and KCMO are at a prime. What is your definition of low?

[TPDHellhound]

There are more openings than qualified candidates here in AZ.

[DeltaV]

Hiring here is pretty steady. Rumor has it that my department is planning on hiring close to 100 officers this year. It's not just us either. Pretty much every agency around here is hiring heavily. Competition is fierce though.

[hitnrun]

Many places in NorCal are hiring in masses! We are short about 120 deputies!! Come apply.

[jarobins]

I think the LE market is at its peak right now in terms of hiring. Almost every agency seems to be hiring due to two reasons. New positions have been added and attrition due to retirement, the large number of cops hired in the 70's are hitting mandatory retirement age. 9/11 created thousands of jobs both in Federal and local circles. However, Homeland Security grants will eventually dry up and the COPS program has been dramatically slashed. The Fed gov and most states are mired in debt and all are trying to pass on costs associated with grant positions.

I'm not saying the need for police will decrease but I don't foresee the money keeping pace with the demand. As we distance ourselves from 9/11 things that were a priority will fall by the wayside. Immediately after 9/11 the public would pay anything for a sense of security and now that they have that feeling back they are beginning to balk at the costs associated with that security.

[scott715us]

Exactly right about retirement age. There are alot of folks that became LEO's in the 70s that are near or beyond retirement age. I believe now is a good time to apply. It is also a good time for us newer guys to get promoted. :D

[wacodep]

I think the LE market is at its peak right now in terms of hiring.

Depends on the finances of the city/county, too. Detroit is a cesspool and needs to TRIPLE their LE workforce, but thanks to Kwame and his predecessor Coleman A. Young, there's one heck of a deficit. And the city is close to laying off a bunch of police and firefighters. About 1,900 Detroit public school teachers just received their pink slips the other day.

[Cat_Doc]

There are more openings than qualified candidates here in AZ.

How true! Not only are we (Arizona) the second fastest growing state, we are facing the mandatory retirement of between 700 & 900 officers by the end of this year due to Arizona's Public Safety "DROP" program.

We are really hurting at our agency, that's why I have tried recruiting some of you out of state peeps! :D

[Cat_Doc]

Many places in NorCal are hiring in masses! We are short about 120 deputies!! Come apply.

NO! NO!

We need the bodies in Central Arizona! (120 Deputies, 300 Detention Officers)