Attention all LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS?

Question

I am debating on wether to apply to a large Deparment or a smaller deparment...large deparments seem to make more..but these are located in cities with high cost of living. basically i want to hear perspectives of both sides...so tell me about your deparment ( location). benifits....interesting stories...helpful hints etc. anything. AND PLEASE ONLY CURRENT OR RETIRED OFFICERS.

Answer 1

Go for the big city. You'll go small and end up at the big ones later because you'll be bored. You can always go down but sometimes going up can be a little more difficult.

Answer 2

I'm in a large city and love it and my fellow officers (99% great people [there's always that one!-anywhere!]--when my mom died 3 yrs ago, we had a 2 car escort from the department for the funeral).  Big cities, you get alot more back-up if needed...more jobs, but in small towns, you may get the one violent guy with a gun or just crazy, who knows???  You have a higher cost of living, but as you said, you make more.  Many great benefits too.

Answer 3

Suburban departments of larger metropolitan areas offer a nice balance between - the big city havoc in police work - and the lowly boredom of Mayberry.

Big cities and suburban departments are paid comparably.

Suburban department are usually better equipped - for the officer in the field - than big city departments.

In suburban cruisers - you will find in car video - Computers - radar -and other things that will make your job easier.  Big cities do offer more lateral ability.  they have many of there own specialty divisions - like EST/Swat -where suburban departments pull together and build a team.  Your choice is fine with either - but do no the difference and how it will affect your work and work satisfaction.