Howdy all.  Like the title says...I am a former LEO with 10 years exp.  I left 3 years ago to work for a civillian Def Contractor.  Money's good.  Travel sucks.  

I'm 34 right now (yes..I was sworn in a month after my 21st birthday.  Took alot of crap for that h),
So..point being- I'm cruising the various LEO forums, asking for your opinions about the PD YOU work for.  I'm looking for a relatively large, urban PD.  I'm not opposed to being a county mounty, as long as it's not for ToadSuck County, Arkansas (no offense to Toadsuck..Im sure it's lovely).  State agencies are out of the question.  No offense to troopers...but I HATE running traffic and I HATE writing tickets...unless you have managed to talk your way into one.  h.gif  I did my running, jumping, screaming and button-polishing in Basic at Ft. Benning.  Also...FLA is out of the questions.  Hurricanes...boooo.  Peoples' Republic of Kali is out too.  Too many brain-dead citizens and brain-dead administrators.

Any agency that has a policy that states your hat must be on your head before you exit your squad - out.

Any agency that still issues clarino duty gear - out.

Any agency with more dingle-dangle crap on patrol uniform than was on my class As - out.

Any agency that doesn't provide patrol with at least a shotgun or prefferably a .223 - out
If your agency allows .308 Patrol rifles, I will apply until I am hired...dont care how long it takes. hippie.gif

Yes, I am particular about where I work.  Im not a 21 year old, shot-gunning apps to every agency with in a 200 mile radius.

Moving is not an issue, so long as your agency has some policy on out of state testing.  Academy isn't that big an issue.  If there is a shortened program for prior xp LEOs, great.  If not, no biggie.  Post-Academy Training, however is a big issue.  I had to push my last agency, kicking and screaming into the 21st century of police training.  

I currently live in AZ, but the weather here is killing my wife's allegies, so staying here is a no-go.  Also, forgot to mention that I have my BA (finally) so college degree is not an issue.  I took the cheap way out...it's in criminal justice.  hat
Thanks to anyone that pipes up.  The rest of you, stay safe.  Most important thing - going home at the end of the shift.

We probably fit all of your criteria in Texas, but allergies truly suck around here.

For Texas, they generally give out-of-state officers a few chances to challenge the state licensing exam; I think three, but I may be wrong. If you can't get it the third time, you have to go through a Basic Peace Officer Course.

Our agency is probably one of the most forward-thinking, progressive and well-respected agencies in the area. We also have a fairly low crime rate and good community support, which helps, and good pay.

Policies are fairly common-sense, and even street-level officers have input into policy, doctrine and operations.

As far as equipment goes, we pretty much have it all; all equipment is issued, including assigned take homes, and they even pick up you dry cleaning costs.

Age isn't really an issue. We recruit heavily from other agencies (including retires on their second career), and from my position, I would much rather get an experienced officer than a green one.

Thanks Nate.  I've been strongly looking at Texas LE agencies.

Arizona is listed as the Number 1 worst state for folks with allegies.  Texas has got to be better.  Plus...I WAS BORN THERE!  McAllen to be exact.

My former PD was a constant battle-ground.  Rank and file vs. Capt. and above, PD. Vs City Council...City Council Vs. Mayor...Mayor Vs PD....even at one point...PD vs. FD after I was ordered to arrest a FF for Domestic Bat. when there was NO probable cause...None, zero, zip, nada.  I refused, so the newly minted Sgt. tossed the cuffs on the guy.  Then I got to write the report.  

The less politics and fewer morons in the PD, the happier I'd be.

Shit Nate...where do I sign???  

Good luck Random....If I wasn't in the Peoples Republic of Kalie, I would help.

I wouldn't mind working in Northern Cal...well, if it weren't in California.  Purty county.  I don't play well with Ranger Rover-driving, latte-sipping, cell-phone yammering, $200 Haircut-having designer jogging suit-wearing holier-than thou types though.

Buddy of mine went to LAPD about 5 years ago.  Escaping the snow and all that.  He loves LAPD, hates California.  Mostly due to general lack of basic common sense so apperant in the majority of the population.  That and he paid 350K for a fixer-upper that's a 2hr commute away from work.  hinking.gif  He said...get this...for the area, it was a steal.  350K?  Jeebus.

Of course. sheeple are everywhere....Bah.

Some one point me to Shangri-La PD.

Seattle is hiring but it's slowed down.  Tacoma is hiring about 2 dozen and the window closes in about a week.  King Co. Sheriff is hiring as well I think.  Lakewood WA just split from the County Sheriff and that will cause some churning of the personell in the next few years I would guess.

Good luck in the hunt.  I'm 36 with no experience and making the jump.  And I fill no special boxes and offer only myself so I'm fortunate to be getting an offer at all.

Well, BigE, like I said my previous PD hired a guy that was 46, so all hope is not lost.  He didn't have any prior exp either.

Good luck and keep at it.

Quoted: I wouldn't mind working in Northern Cal...well, if it weren't in California.  Purty county.  I don't play well with Ranger Rover-driving, latte-sipping, cell-phone yammering, $200 Haircut-having designer jogging suit-wearing holier-than thou types though.

How'd you know where I work?  You describe the Marin County residents perfectly.....

I'm only 1/2 way through FTO, a whopping 2.5 months of experience in 30 person dept, but I can tell our community does support the PD reasonably well.

Brian