Posted: 2/12/2008 8:41:21 PM EDT
|
I'm looking to move to Colorado (Parker area) later on this year. Who has any information regarding local Colorado Agencies?? I'd like to know basic pay: ride solo or partnered up: agency issued sidearm: if there's latitude in qualifying with own: how you like the agency: has SRT/ ERT/ "team": I'm currently getting on w/ feds (ICE), but they're taking a really, REALLY long time and my g/friend graduates nursing school in may. Thanks ya'll. |
| I work for an agency in northern Colorado, and I have lived in this area for most of my life. I know lots of cops with different agencies and can probably suggest the better PDs to apply with, but rather than rattle them all off and the reasons why, why don't you tell me what you're looking for in terms of action, size, assignments etc and I can tell you what I know. |
I'm on the fence about an agency with take home rides as it lets everyone (good and bad) know you're a LEO. If they do issue take homes, I'll have a three car garage or another way of hiding it when I'm home. As for duty weapons, I've been a Glock shooter for as long as I can remember. Sig's are okay, as long as I can carry a DAK. But when it comes down to it, I'll take what I can get and learn to use it to the best of my abilities. Hmm... an agency that will pay for POST cert would be nice, otherwise I've got the Montgomery GI bill that will pay for it. Also, in regards to the POST community college course or wherever they want to send you, is it a 3, 4, or 5 day a week class?? As for shift hours, my g/friend is trying to get hired on as a nurse at the University Hospital in Denver. She wants to work nights and weekends, and quite frankly so do I. As for pay, I know already you're not going to get rich being a PD officer. Do ya'll moonlight or just work what you have? Also, an agency that has brass that backs the officers is nice. Wouldn't want to get "hung out to dry because you had to take down someone of the opposite race and your 'superiors' try and fry your ass" if you know what I mean? When you're in the right, you should be in the right... Well that's all I can think about right now, any other questions?? |
|
Well, in terms of a full-service agency, you probably won't find one that has everything to offer except for Denver, Aurora, or Colorado Springs. None of the "big three" as they're called here have a take home car program, but they have their own Narc task forces, full-time SWAT, K9, Traffic Accident Units, and lots of detectives. Detectives are good because that means that patrol gets to do it's job and respond to calls and actually try to stir shit up as opposed to handling bullshit follow-ups and processing cold scenes. The Springs got a new chief about two years ago that my sources say is taking the PD in the wrong direction, and many of the troops are unhappy with him, so do your homework with that agency. Friends who work with Denver and Aurora are pretty happy with those depts in general, and if I had it to do over again I would go to one of those two. Westminster is another great PD. They have SWAT, but it's part time meaning that you do regular training a couple/few times a month and work a regular assignment until called out. Their Narc team is part of a regional task force. But they seem to subscribe to a bigger city philosophy when it comes to operations. Patrol is left alone to do their thing and don't get tied up with follow-up and cold property crime, other units handle that. Their chief supports aggressive policing. If you don't go big, go Westy. Definitely one of the best depts in the state at the moment. No take home cars there though. Many other places are decent, but Denver, Aurora and Westy are the best three to work for IMHO. Stay away from: Parker, Northglenn, Lakewood, Greeley, Fort Collins, Adams County, Weld County, Boulder County, Boulder PD, Broomfield. These places are mired in political crap that will turn your stomach. They have admin who either love to engage in witch-hunts, or will throw your ass under the bus at a moments notice, or are still pushing the failed COP model of policing instead of letting their guys clean up the streets by taking people to jail. Getting on with a new PD is risky business when you don't know much about the area. All I can say is good luck and try to get on with a big department, or Westminster. If you think of any other PD you're interested in put up a post about it and if I know anyone who works there I'll find out what I can. |
Great info and it'll help me look in the right places. When I get up there, first 
is on me.