Small versus Medium versus Large

[nikerret]

I am looking for insights on working for Law Enforcement agencies.

It would be great to get some comparisons using pros versus cons of working in small (1-50 officers), medium (50-150 officers), and large (150+) department.

If some would please elaborate on any dangers you see specifically with working in a smaller (<10,000 population) town.

Specific examples are the best, but opinions are being sought also.

The search was not being very friendly to me this evening, any links to past threads would also be very helpful.

Stay Safe,
nikerret

This is different than my "size of department" thread in that I am asking about dangers typical to certain sized populations.

[Movementarian]

If some would please elaborate on any dangers you see specifically with working in a smaller (<10,000 population) town.

I work in a small community and the biggest danger that we face in complacency.

[ChesCopPodz]

My father works for a very small agency. His biggest problems are 1. EVERYONE knows a city councilman so you hear the same "I'll get so-and-so to fire you" on just about every arrest 2. His backup could be anywhere up to 15 miles away depending on where the state police units are at the time and if the even smaller town next to him doesn't have any officers that night.

Other lesser things are promotions and assignments. A small department may only have one detective, sgt, name position here, so in order for someone to get the position, they have to wait for the current one to retire.

Medium departments usually encounter the same political BS dealing with city council and people who know them. It's a bit easier to get promotions/assignments because there are more positions, and backup is generally closer

Larger departments usually have plenty of opportunities for promotion/special assignment, usually have less direct political pressure on an individual officer. Backup is usually within a short distance.

Downside is that usually (not all the time however) a large department is in a city meaning the types of calls are more frequent/serious. If you want to be the Barney Fife, walk down main street, check businesses talk to citizens type of officer, a city may not be a good fit.

[JonSch7]

Is 150+ officers really considered a large department? I thought maybe 500 or more.

[Darin]

If you work AND live in a small dept. in a small community the dangers you may face is that everyone will know you. They may know where you live. They may know when you aren't home.


A smaller dept. may be affected more by small town politics. As someone stated complacency could be a downfall if you work in a small community that is fairly quiet.

A large dept. would be busier and you'll gain more experience. You'll have different dept. within the agency to work. More opportunities for different positions/promotions. Downside is there would be much more people going after those positions.

[Darin]

Is 150+ officers really considered a large department? I thought maybe 500 or more.

Depends on the area. In my area there's a 250 member agency that would be considered a large dept. because they are the biggest in the area.

[mcsap]

EVERY agency , regardless of size has it's problems. The only one you even should worry about is finding an agency to hire you. LE jobs are very competitive and you rarely have your choice of ONE dep't for a job. You might consider where you apply but to get your foot in the door for our line of work, most people will work anywhere to get started.