How easy is it to transfer to other departments once you are a Police Officer.?

Question

How easy is it to switch to another department? For example, your an officer for the NYPD but you want to go to the LAPD. Do you have to go through the Academy again and all that? Or just take the test and you get but on. What about going from NYPD to Nassau County Police Department where many many people take the test or other good departments?

Answer 1

Going from state to state will be more difficult that going from agency to agency within a state. The laws are different from state to state as well. Some states have agreements set up with one another. California has a set standard for training within the state. This is called POST or Police Officers Standards and Training. Once you get a "POST Certificate" you can move anywhere you want within the state of California if an agency is looking for applicants with a POST certificate. Some agencies prefer to train their own though.  

Answer 2

I believe most big cities require you to go through their program

but of course it's going to vary depending on the departments

Answer 3

UK you have to do 2 year basic police work before you can transfer.

Answer 4

My husband is a SWAT officer here in Dallas. You would have to go through the academy again to learn Texas and city laws.

Answer 5

It is impossible to "transfer" from one local police department to another because they are different employers.  If you are working as a cop in one city, you can apply for a job as a cop in another city, but you cannot "transfer."

Answer 6

Police certification requirements are determined by state law, so they can vary quite a bit. In addition, a large part of your job is enforcing state laws, and those vary also. Therefore, if you switch to an agency in another state, most  require you to attend their academy. Some, such as Seattle PD,  have an abbreviated version for people with prior experience in another state.

Switching departments in the same state can be easier, as you already meet the certificaiton requirements. However, many departments still require you to attend their academy. I know the WI State Patrol and Chicago PD both do.