Dallas TX PD, Austin TX PD or San Diego PD?? Which should I choose?

[ThaMan28]

I just completed 8 years in the Air Force and I'm now interested in becoming a Police Officer. I was a computer Tech, so this is a whole new career change for me. The three departments I'm looking into are Dallas, Austin and San Diego. I'm not sure which is the best. If anyone can give me some advice on these Departments and cities I'd appreciate it. You may ask why I've chosen these three. Well, for one I have a family and I've taken into consideration where I'd like to raise my little girl and as far as Texas...low cost of living. San Diego...well, the name it's self should clue you in on why I'm interested in this city. I love California, but don't want to deal with the streets of L.A. I've only been to San Antonio, TX so I'm not sure what Dallas or Austin is like let alone the departments. Any advice?

[hitnrun]

I don't know about any of the three departments you listed, but I noticed a contradiction in you question.

You stated that you wanted to live in Texas because of the low cost of living, but you also listed San Diego and that is probably on the opposite end of that spectrum!! Just a thought. The dangers that you would encounter on the streets in LA can be found in every major department and most of the smaller rural ones across the US! Don't think that by applying to sunny San Diego that you will somehow avoid drug and gang violence.

Think of it this way, the more people living in one are, the higher the probability for crime there is. It doesn't matter where you go, unless its BFE, Alaska, you can't avoid the dangers inherently involved with being a cop. Even in Alaska, I bet you could find some pretty burly eskimoes that'd be willing to fight you!!

What you should look at when deciding where to work is what the departments have to offer YOU. What is there retirement like, benefits, vacation/sick/floating leave, retention rates, overall pay, pay increases, pay incentives (Basic POST, Intermediate POST, Advanced POST, A.A., B.S., longevity, etc.), health and family benefits, paid tuition, opportunity for promotion, different assignments/divisions, etc.

Once you have found out what departments offer what, go through and decide which meet your criteria the best, then apply. But if you are more concerned about the area you live in and work, then start checking on those statistics too.

Hope that helps some!

Good luck and keep us posted!


PS: We are in a pretty big recruiting drive right now ourselves...take a look. www.sacsheriff.com

[ExUSPP]

Apply to them all and see which one offers you a job.

[hitnrun]

Apply to them all and see which one offers you a job.

Or that too. :D

[MisterK]

Ill give you a hint. If it has anything to do with California.. run in the oposite direction.

[Mr.H]

Ill give you a hint. If it has anything to do with California.. run in the oposite direction.

Ditto.

[Welpe]

Ill give you a hint. If it has anything to do with California.. run in the oposite direction.

Why? Most agencies pay well here, not to mention most also have CalPERS 3% @ 50 plus you can't beat the weather. Well for the most part, we've had a bit of rain lately. In addition to that, we have a whole boatload of agencies hiring right now.

Also, if politics is your argument, well almost half of the state went Red in the last Presidential election. We have some restrictive gun laws here but it's not as bad as IL, MA or NJ. Remember SF is not the entire state.

[ThaMan28]

You are correct, that is one reason why San Diego would be at the bottom. Cost of living in horrible down there. I'm actually looking into the Dallas PD or Austin PD. Anyone from a Texas PD out there? I've heard that Dallas has a lot of crime, but I know it's everywhere. I've been on the West coast for too long now and I just want a change. With Pay, cost of living and a place to raise my family...Texas just comes to mind. I've heard great things about Austin.

[Ironhead]

The political ideology of CA and TX are very - very far apart. Don't answer here if you don't want to - but where do you lean from a political stand point? What are your hobbies? If they include gun collecting, shooting or hunting - you can pretty much rule out CA, NJ, NY, MA and a few others too.

Look at your ideas on abortion, gun control, and other issues and see which State is more in line with your feelings.

Both States have a large problem with illegal immigration, and they have different approaches as to how to deal with it. Which do you agree with?

I'm not saying politics is everything on deciding where to live - but it's nice to live in an area that has a good percentage of the population that believes as you believe on most topics ....
In other words - it sure is nice not to be the only raisin in the Raisin Bran ;)

[ThaMan28]

The political ideology of CA and TX are very - very far apart. Don't answer here if you don't want to - but where do you lean from a political stand point? What are your hobbies?

I'm a Republican, but don't agree with a lot of what's going on in the white house right now. I'm more of a city type of person. I love to go to Sporting Events..Big time Football Fan(College and Pro). I love being where there is a lot to do entertainment wise. Love to shop and taking the family out. Diversity is a big must for me. That's why I loved Cali. Lots of cultures and different types of people. When I think of Texas...I assume Cowboy. I know that's bad...that's why I want some advice from someone in TX, to get more of a TX feel. I went through Basic Training in San Antonio, but was focused on getting the heck outta there at the time.

[Newbie31]

I have spent a lot of time in Dallas and it is pretty diverse. There is a large Asian community and a lot of hispanics. It is by no means a "Cowboy Town." On the other hand Ft. Worth has a more Cowboy like feel than Dallas. I have been to Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin; of them all Dallas is my favorite. DPD has had some problems but they recently got a new chief who is suppose to be pretty good. Ft. Worth is a good department but they only test once a year.

I have never been to Cali so I can't comment on San Diego, however I have read that moral is low at SDPD due to budget issues. You definatly cant beat the weather though!

[Texas PO-PO]

Well, I can say Austin is a great place to work and it is one of the best paid depts. in Texas, but working in Travis County sucks. Penalties are very liberal, and the people here suck Overall Austin is great and beautiful, but if you think its cheap to live here your wrong, I cant compare it with other cities but if you work for APD you shouldnt have a problem with money.

PS learn spanish

[AndrewTx]

As far as cost of living goes, the DFW metroplex should leave you plenty of affordable and nice options within a reasonable distance to wherever you would report should you end up working for DPD. I grew up in Dallas and its officers have always seemed among the most professional I've ever encountered. That's just from a non-LE perspective, so take it for what it's worth, but I think it does reflect on the department as a whole.

I can't remember her name, but if you do a search, there was a member currently going through the Dallas academy that you might want to get in touch with for more insight. Good luck wherever you choose to apply!

[Johninaustin]

I'd rule out San Diego from the get go. Not only from the cost of living standpoint, but because of the political mindset and the budget issues. Cali is always undergoing a financial crisis of some sort and police are the first things to go on the chopping block.

Dallas I wouldn't choose simply because it's too big, is incredibly political (not just the police but the whole city) and the cost of living again. Austin is headed in that direction as well, but at least it still SEEMS small. Diversity is not something you have to worry about here. Only about one in eight people in Austin actually CAME from Texas. We have a lot of out of staters seeking work. Austin is a college town. Lots of really "unique" people.

Look at the surrounding area. One of the big bennies of living here is the lakes and the fishing. Lake Travis is 60 miles long and 3/4 of a mile from my driveway. The entire Gulf of Mexico is 4 hours away. You're not going to work ALL the time.:D

BTW: if you are married it's a VERY good decision to involve the wife in this sort of decision.:eek:

[Stan Switek]

The political ideology of CA and TX are very - very far apart.

I'm curious what so many have against California? Yeah, we have some raging liberals here. We also have some very conservative republicans in office. Dana Rhorbacher, an ultra conservative has been my congressman for years & years. No one can come close to him.

But look around, many states have raging liberals in office. It is just not isolated to Ca. If you look at how Ca voted in the last presidential election, with the exception of the major metro areas like San Francisco & LA, the state voted republican. There are areas of south Texas of all places that voted heavily democratic. See links to maps.
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/...dbluelarge.png
http://www.princeton.edu/~rvdb/JAVA/...osterAll50.gif

As for working in Ca, I'd take a real careful look at San Diego. There are some serious questions re underfunding of their pensions. Also, SD is not the highest paid of PD's. I'ts a beautiful place to live though, if you can afford it.

I dont know anything about Dallas. San Antonio has some major issues re racial issues between the PD & comunity.