Advice needed about Austin, Texas PD.

[NativeTexan]

My wife and I are moving to Austin Texas in about 6 months and I am seriously considering the Austin PD. I trained for about 2 months with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (a very good agency!) but I realized I would be sitting on a highway the rest of my life. The recruiters paint a somewhat different picture. It's a very important job, but I want to be more involved in the community. Is there anyone out there who can give me some more info on Austin's academy? I know it's a little different than the OSHP academy. For example, I had to live at the OSHP academy and you don't live at the Austin academy. Any information would be great! Like, you have to supply your own weapon; are there requirements on what make, caliber, etc? Any help would be GREAT! Thank you to all of you who serve in the most thankless profession in the world! You are appreiciated!

[CCBlueMan]

Sent you a PM about a similar question I asked a while back. If you get any more onfo let me know, I'm thinking of making the move to the Austin area myself in a few years! The pay is outstanding for the cost of living in near-by areas! +50k after your probation is over!

[matt87]

What I hear very liberal city, seem to have no problem hanging their cops out to dry.