Would you rather be a State Trooper, or.....

[ThaMan28]

Ok, I had a successful first test phase with the Austin Police. I'm waiting for the next round as I found the exam and Physical to be cake...maybe it's because I'm use to Air Force standards. Anyhow, I'm now wondering if I want to go the State Trooper route...maybe it's just me, but whenever I see them they look like Bad Asses with the uniform and that hat and they give the impression that no one ought to mess with them. Question is, would you rather be a State Trooper or a local Officer and why?

[Ruh]

I would much rather be a local officer. I don't feel too comfortable being out with backup 20+ minutes out if I get into trouble, aside from some local department. I also like the idea of my nearest backup being a guy I know I can trust and have worked with often. This of course could all be a bad impression on what goes on, but that's just how I feel. Plus, I want to work in the city I live now and not have to worry about being moved around.

I would however agree the Missouri State Highway Patrol are some bad asses. And...as the saying goes in Missouri "There's the right way, there's the wrong way, and then there's the Highway Patrol way."

[Welpe]

Both. My number one goal is to become an LEO. While I like the idea of being a CHP officer, I think I would be equally happy working for a local PD/SO.

[NY BLUE 86]

Ok, I had a successful first test phase with the Austin Police. I'm waiting for the next round as I found the exam and Physical to be cake...maybe it's because I'm use to Air Force standards. Anyhow, I'm now wondering if I want to go the State Trooper route...maybe it's just me, but whenever I see them they look like Bad Asses with the uniform and that hat and they give the impression that no one ought to mess with them. Question is, would you rather be a State Trooper or a local Officer and why?

I agree with Ruh, I'd rather be a local Officer. If you want to be State Trooper, make sure it's not for the reason of looking bad a** in a uniform; every LEO on this site will tell you that. If looks are really that important to you in a profession, become a model.

Anyways good luck in the process with Austin PD, keep us up to date on how that goes. Good Luck. ;)

[valycop]

ThaMan28,

First, since you're an Air Force veteran thank you for your service to this country and good luck with Austin PD. That said please "hear me out" on the analysis of your statement.

maybe it's just me, but whenever I see them they look like Bad Asses with the uniform and that hat and they give the impression that no one ought to mess with them.

It's not the uniform that makes the trooper/officer/deputy/constable it's the person wearing that uniform. If you're serious about trying to make a career for yourself as a law enforcement officer then please reconsider why you want to go that route. If you want to join our ranks to wear a flashy uniform, badge and carry a gun then find another profession. The agencies to our north have a much nicer uniform than ours, and I had an opportunity to join the agency, but I wanted to work where I am today. I like the area, the salary isn't too bad, the benefits are pretty good and actually getting better, my coworkers are first rate and I couldn't ask for a better boss to work for.

I joined the police ranks almost thirty-one years ago because I had a dream of doing a tough job that few people really want to do, not because of the uniform or to project myself as a "bad ***" to the public. We wear a hat similar to what a trooper wears in many states and I do wear it cocked forward like many troopers, but I do it because of the wind. It tends to fly off more easily if it's lying flat on the head even with the backstrap in place. When I exit my car on a traffic stop my sunglasses come off because I in most cases am dealing with a member of the general public not a dangerous criminal and I am trying to project a reasonable appearance not one of instant intimidation.

Projecting a "bad ***" image may intimidate people under some circumstances, but the reality of it is if I'm dealing with a criminal with any kind of record, all of the flashy uniforms and cocked hats aren't going to be worth a damn. I'm 6'4" and weigh in at 235lbs. and that in and of itself is intimidating. Most people start to relax after I begin speaking to them on a reasonable level even in the most volatile of situations.

To answer your question directly, I wanted to become a Virginia State Trooper and it wasn't because of the uniform or hat. It was because of the reputation of the agency and the professionalism of the men and women who wear that uniform. Why didn't I make it, because my eyesight at the time wasn't up the their standard and "lasic" eye surgery wasn't even a possibility twenty years ago.

There are many benefits to joining a state police agency over some of the "local" departments. At the same time many local agencies especially the larger ones say in Northern Virginia, have higher salaries, better retirement packages, and other incentives. So you look at the whole package offered by each agency, the area in which you may be working, housing costs in addition to other living expenses. You also have to consider advancement possibilities coupled with the possibility of transfer to another area upon accepting promotion.

My advice to you ThaMan28 is to sit down tonight and throughly think through whether you really want to join our ranks for the right reasons or will the reasons you've eluded to here prevent you from becoming a law enforcement officer. If you've set your mind to the right attitude and have said to yourself this is really something I want to do then start searching the internet for agencies your interested in. Most large organizations and many smaller departments have websites that will provide you with a wealth of information. If you don't see the answers to all of your questions, try looking up the human resources department of the government website in the area your looking at because many employment questions/answers will be found there.

Good luck.

[Ruh]

^^^^And uhh yea...what he said :D^^^^

[Valor55]

I love being a cop in the city. I enjoy running call to call to call to call. I enjoy the camraderie of being with different cops on every call. I enjoy the fast pace, the action, and the fun.

Some guys don't like that stuff and they enjoy working accidents and writing tickets. That's fine, it has to be done by somebody.

My recommendation would be to go on ride alongs with different agencies and seeing what you like best.

[matt87]

I've pondered the same question before too, but I think city is better for a couple of reasons.

Most cases city will pay you better. Also, the primary goal of most state patrol's is traffic, and while I enjoy the traffic aspect (not a cop, obviously) I think I'd also like to hit the neighborhoods and try to "clean up" the streets so to speak. Also there is the oppurtunity to interact with the community and you have better back up.

Good luck

[phantasm]

NYSP pays more than NYPD. But that's besides the point. :-P

A highway unit of a local/county/city PD will have some aspects of the state police, but still be a local cop, so that's another thing to think about.

[Ne_Smokey_Bear]

I love being a State Trooper. In my area we get to handle a lot of city county stuff too since the biggest town is 4000 people. We back up SO's and City PD for disturbances, but at the same time I have eight counties that I cover. Yeah my back up is usually a minimum of 30 minutes away, a con, but I haven't seen a supervisor in almost two months, I don't work the same area more than once a week unless I want to. I have a lot of freedom as a Trooper in the rural area. I wouldn't want an urban area because those Troops have assigned routes and coverage areas.

It is all what you make of it. Any officer that has pride in his uniform is going to look tough. It doesn't matter what agency you work for. I have noticed that local agencies don't have the luxury of being as selective in their officers and sometimes choose individuals that have no place wearing a badge but there are alos several officers that were passed over by the State Patrol that are excellent officers. I also know some Troopers that I would like to see leave the agency, and there have been some that were of questionable moral character.

If you don't know what agency you want, try to do ride alongs with different agencies, ask questions, find out as much as you can before you make a decision. But know that if you are going in for the image then you are going in for the wrong reasons. It's not about you, it's about the public you serve.

[ThaMan28]

ThaMan28,

My advice to you ThaMan28 is to sit down tonight and throughly think through whether you really want to join our ranks for the right reasons or will the reasons you've eluded to here prevent you from becoming a law enforcement officer. If you've set your mind to the right attitude and have said to yourself this is really something I want to do then start searching the internet for agencies your interested in. Most large organizations and many smaller departments have websites that will provide you with a wealth of information. If you don't see the answers to all of your questions, try looking up the human resources department of the government website in the area your looking at because many employment questions/answers will be found there.

Good luck.

Valy, I think I worded my post wrong. I don't want to join because of the uniform...heck, I would have joined the Marines over the Air Force if I was into the uniform. Lately people have been asking me what I've been doing and I tell them that I'm testing with different Law Enforcement Agencies. The moment I mention any State Trooper office they are like Whoa...they are had core they intimidate me...etc. It just made me think about public perception of local vs State. The Delima I'm in is that I'm in Oregon and I'm looking to move to Texas. I have a good friend in Dallas and hes been telling me that I should apply with the Dallas PD because he loves the city, great place for my wife and daughter, lots of things to do, low housing cost. etc. Austin on the other hand is not as big and I love big cities with Lots to do. That's what I really have to think about. When I tested with the Austin PD...right then and there I knew this is what I wanted to do. Oh, I also did Law Enforcement when I was in the AF..so I'm not a stranger to "keeping the peace".

[ThaMan28]

Both. My number one goal is to become an LEO. While I like the idea of being a CHP officer, I think I would be equally happy working for a local PD/SO.

Welpe, where on Central Coast are you? I was stationed at Vandenberg last year before I got out. Wasn't to fond of Lompoc, Santa Maria was OK. I loved partying in Santa Barbara though I miss Cali!

[CTDL92]

I wouldn't change a thing. After having worked as a Trooper for 11 years, I absolutely have no desire to work in a municipal department. Not that there is anything wrong with them it's just not something I would want to do, vice versa there are many who work for municipal departments that would never want to become a Trooper.

My experience probably differs form that of Troopers in other states, in that we handle any and all types of crimes / calls. We are not limited to the highway, although some barracks do more highway and interstate work than others (read Turnpike Troop). I've worked patrol as well as in the Forensic Unit and now I am a Criminal Investigator. I also work in a very large station, the largest station outside of headquarters, we have 52 on patrol, with an additional 12 patrol supervisors, 17 Criminal Investigators, with 4 supervisors, 2 Fire Marshalls, 1 Accident Reconstructionist, 1 Forensic Service Unit member, 2 vice unit members, 1 Vehicle Fraud Investigator and 3 civilian Motor Carrier Safety Enforcement officers. So we certainly have no lack of personnel in our barracks.

I see instances where the public has a different perception of Troopers vs. locals especially when you back up a local officer and upon arrival the subject assumes you are now the person in charge. I don't know where that perception comes from and like I've said before I'm not knocking on municipal officers.

I believe any officer who takes pride in their uniform and appearance garners more respect from the public than someone who doesn't give a s**t and looks unprofessional.

Just my take on life!

[phantasm]

Even differnt parts of the same state, state police serve different functions. Upstate Ny they may assist in patrol of some areas like stated already, but on Long Island they patrol the Parkways, and eastern parts of the Long Island Expressway. The county & local departments handle most of the other stuff. Of course this is a broad generalization, and isn't 100% accurate, but its correct for the most part for what I know about NYSP.

[matt87]

Valy, I think I worded my post wrong. I don't want to join because of the uniform...heck, I would have joined the Marines over the Air Force if I was into the uniform. Lately people have been asking me what I've been doing and I tell them that I'm testing with different Law Enforcement Agencies. The moment I mention any State Trooper office they are like Whoa...they are had core they intimidate me...etc. It just made me think about public perception of local vs State. The Delima I'm in is that I'm in Oregon and I'm looking to move to Texas. I have a good friend in Dallas and hes been telling me that I should apply with the Dallas PD because he loves the city, great place for my wife and daughter, lots of things to do, low housing cost. etc. Austin on the other hand is not as big and I love big cities with Lots to do. That's what I really have to think about. When I tested with the Austin PD...right then and there I knew this is what I wanted to do. Oh, I also did Law Enforcement when I was in the AF..so I'm not a stranger to "keeping the peace".

Stay away from Dallas dude, they have budget problems and the city admin doesn't seem to have full support for the police. They're one of the lowest paid bigger cities in North texas, and in many cases have a lot of outdated equipment and vehicles.

I understand where you're coming from about uniforms and stuff, troopers do tend to look pretty nice. But there are plenty of departments in Texas that take pride in themselves. Have you checked out Garland? I know you keep mentioning the word intimidating, but I think maybe you're implying hard hitting pro active? If so Garland seems to be top notch in that aspect.

I don't live in Texas, but hopefully I'll be a future officer there, and I've done quite a bit of research on the departments in North texas.