Howdy,  
My name is Matt and I’m a proud former Washingtonian and I hope to soon be a resident of your fine state once again. I lived up in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island for a few years while I was in the Navy and really like the area, climate, people ect. Currently I am stuck in grad school hell in south central PA and can’t wait till I get my walking paper in May! As such I am looking for something to do when I get out and am currently in the hiring pipeline for several federal LE jobs but recently started looking at state and local LE in western Washington. Thus far I’ve mainly looked at Kings County Sheriffs Department and SPD but wanted to enquire if 1) Anyone here an LEO in Washington?  2) Any experience with these agencies. 3) Other places I should look? That and any other information that might be of help. Honestly, I am pretty new to this side of LE having previously focused all of my attention on the fed side of the house. I decided to look in this direction as the pay was comparable, I’d definitely get to live where I want, and the process just seems a whole hell of a lot more streamlined than the Fed pipeline. I would very much like to hear what some of you guys currently on the job have to say about LE in the PNW or just LE in general. What would you do if you had it to all do over again?
Any help or info you could give me is very much appreciated!
Thanks!
Matt

Tacoma PD is also looking for new hires.

Pretty much everybody is hiring right now, with the economy humming along there is a shortage of GOOD candidates.  Former .mil and a graduate degree? Pick your dept. Seattle, KC, Sno County do their own hiring and testing, for the rest, check out publicsafetytesting.com

good luck

I'm not trying to flame you but as a concerned citizen it is my opinion that we already have too many GD cops here! Every where you look there is a damn cop! You are more than welcome to move here but please consider a different profession. The cops here are sworn to protect the state. Unfortunately for us this happens to be a socialist state. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I'm just venting! I'm sure there will now be a few LEOs and unaware citizens who will instantly flame me for this. Like I said I'm just venting and expressing my opinion as a constitutionally concerned citizen of what once used to be a free state.

Quoted: I'm not trying to flame you but as a concerned citizen it is my opinion that we already have too many GD cops here! Every where you look there is a damn cop! You are more than welcome to move here but please consider a different profession. The cops here are sworn to protect the state. Unfortunately for us this happens to be a socialist state. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I'm just venting! I'm sure there will now be a few LEOs and unaware citizens who will instantly flame me for this. Like I said I'm just venting and expressing my opinion as a constitutionally concerned citizen of what once used to be a free state.

Counterpoint:
The LE departments will be hiring no matter what we feel about their staffing levels.  So wouldn't it make sense to try and get as many "like minded" individuals into the department as opposed to more unknowns?  RiggerGod is a member here on ARFCOM, so he probably has very similar interests as the rest of us (ARs, shooting, liberty, etc.)  So why would we want to push away someone like that and have the openings in the LE deparments filled with someone more like Kerlikowski?  Those positions WILL be filled, it is just a matter of by whom.....

Quoted: I'm not trying to flame you but as a concerned citizen it is my opinion that we already have too many GD cops here! Every where you look there is a damn cop! You are more than welcome to move here but please consider a different profession. The cops here are sworn to protect the state. Unfortunately for us this happens to be a socialist state. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I'm just venting! I'm sure there will now be a few LEOs and unaware citizens who will instantly flame me for this. Like I said I'm just venting and expressing my opinion as a constitutionally concerned citizen of what once used to be a free state.

You are a fool who does not think before opening his mouth.

I would know, I have been known to do it myself.

Im glad it is only your opinion as a Concerned Citizen.


Getting ready for a flame fest...

Badges, we dont need no stinking badges. Well perhaps, the coasties need some policing.

Quoted: Quoted: I'm not trying to flame you but as a concerned citizen it is my opinion that we already have too many GD cops here! Every where you look there is a damn cop! You are more than welcome to move here but please consider a different profession. The cops here are sworn to protect the state. Unfortunately for us this happens to be a socialist state. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I'm just venting! I'm sure there will now be a few LEOs and unaware citizens who will instantly flame me for this. Like I said I'm just venting and expressing my opinion as a constitutionally concerned citizen of what once used to be a free state. Counterpoint: The LE departments will be hiring no matter what we feel about their staffing levels.  So wouldn't it make sense to try and get as many "like minded" individuals into the department as opposed to more unknowns?  RiggerGod is a member here on ARFCOM, so he probably has very similar interests as the rest of us (ARs, shooting, liberty, etc.)  So why would we want to push away someone like that and have the openings in the LE deparments filled with someone more like Kerlikowski?  Those positions WILL be filled, it is just a matter of by whom.....

A big +1!  Good post bro.

Quoted: That and any other information that might be of help.

fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/employment/index.htm]
]www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=76&t=363455

If you're looking for a well run department, albeit with most of the typical big co. bs, take a serious look at Pierce County SO. Not as pc as KCSO or SPD. They don't screw with line grunts the way oh so many do. Good luck. May you be with the force

To put it bluntly, this state needs more GOOD cops.

First and foremost, thanks for all the support and info guys!

Eric: the link you provided was great I don't think that I would have found that on my own.

1GUNRUNNER: "King County is desperate for deputies, I know that." Any idea why that is??? I like the pay and bennies, don't like the single deputy cars. I've also hear they are on "Cops" a lot... is that a good thing or a bad thing?!?

sixgunsblazing: "Pick your dept. Seattle, KC, Sno County" Any thoughts on one vs. the others? I did check out publicsafetytesting.com are they for real/legit? If so, that’s great! Should cut down on some of the trips I have to make out that way on my own dime. Which is really good at this point in the game!

RedDawg6: hey, I hear you, and I understand about what your saying. I'd like to think that I am a good guy and would make a good LEO. And I have zero interest in turning WA is to another Kalifornia! In fact, you might want to think about getting more guys like you and me into WA to help prevent that. I was raised in Maryland so I know what it is like to live in a state that doesn’t respect your rights. Lets try not to flame him too much guys.

161Infantry: "Well perhaps, the coasties need some policing" Funny you should mention that, actually I'm talking to a recruiter about doing the reserve thing!

Every one else, again, thank you very much for the support. Anymore advice you have would be great. Specifically, inside info (ie: stuff I can't find on the web, though that is great too) Why you would work one place vs. another, better bennies & perks, are one officer cars pretty much the standard? ect... if any of you that are LEOs just don't want to post on an open forum, please feel free to IM or e-mail me. Thanks again fellas!
Matt

ETA:

Bobbitybobbity & Stick thanks for chiming in, I was hoping you would. Please elaborate if possible. I looked at Pierce Co, but it doesn’t look like they are hiring right now, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

1GUNRUNNER: “It was on the news that they were giving any deputy who brought in a successful applicant would receive an additional week of paid vacation.” If you or anyone else works for them, let me know and I’ll hook you up if I go that way.
“I don't know of any counties here that have double deputies in the cars” I was afraid of that. Can’t be a good thing….

Try Seattle and Tacoma, both of them are probably hiring more than either county.

Tacoma pays a little more, but is a smaller department than SPD, so they hire less.

Seattle pays a little less, but are probably the easiest department to get hired with.



publicsafety.com is doing a large amount of business right now with their ideas.  The ability to test once, and get your results out to a large amount of departments is nice, however, I am firmly against the idea of people having to pay to test with an agency.  Times may change, but my principles don't.

Quoted: Howdy,   My name is Matt and I’m a proud former Washingtonian and I hope to soon be a resident of your fine state once again. I lived up in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island for a few years while I was in the Navy and really like the area, climate, people ect.......

Dude, you are one sick puppy if you are coming here for the climate. The weather right now is shit!

I believe that Pierce County will be hiring soon, possibly taking applications for deputies later this month.  Also, Pierce County Corrections, part of the Sheriff's Department, is hiring and that is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with the county.

If you do make it out here, full auto is legal now, so are silencers and SBRs. We have statewide carry, no permits are required. The entire state is a shooting area, unless it is covered in concrete, however concrete structures are considered safe backstops.

Let me know where you will be working.

Quoted: If you do make it out here, full auto is legal now, so are silencers and SBRs. We have statewide carry, no permits are required. The entire state is a shooting area, unless it is covered in concrete, however concrete structures are considered safe backstops. Let me know where you will be working.

You forget some of your meds today?...

Quoted: If you do make it out here, full auto is legal now, so are silencers and SBRs. We have statewide carry, no permits are required. The entire state is a shooting area, unless it is covered in concrete, however concrete structures are considered safe backstops. Let me know where you will be working.

sorry to hijack but... WHAT?...oh as a cop?

Quoted: Quoted: If you do make it out here, full auto is legal now, so are silencers and SBRs. We have statewide carry, no permits are required. The entire state is a shooting area, unless it is covered in concrete, however concrete structures are considered safe backstops. Let me know where you will be working. You forget some of your meds today?...

Sounds more like someone hit himself in the head with a Dremel.

Matt -
If you are going the public safety testing route, make sure that you put your name in for Kent PD, I believe that they will be hiring at least 10 officers this year.  The City is real easy to work for and the PD is better than most; pay and benefits are pretty good.  I worked 9 years in two other angencies in another state and lateraled to Kent in 1987.  I was a real good move for me and most of the other laterals have stayed as well.  The PD has pretty good equipment, its own training center and indoor range.  We issue the family of SIGs in 9MM or .45ACP;  Patrol officers have Tasers, Rem 870 Beanbag guns, and Colt 16" Govt carbines with ACOGs.  We provide pretty aggressive firearms/tactical training for those willing to pay attention.  

Make sure that you check out other agencies and undrstand what the job entails as some jurisdictions police differently than others.  The job is not for everyone, and everyone that gets hired doesn't make it through probation.  After graduation from the State Academy, our FTOs wash out about 30% of our new hires.  If you want to get into police work cuz you "really want to help people", then go be a social worker.  If you want the job because you believe that it is important to remove the miscreants from normal society, are willing to change your personality and be held in high destain by a larger percentage of the population that you ever imagined, then by all means give it a try!!  

Post Count :: 1 Posts Per Day :: 0 Last Login Date :: 1/6/2006 12:11:40 AM PST Last Post Date :: 1/6/2006 1:40:20 AM PST Information Title :: Member Member Since :: 11/18/2003 Team Member :: No Location :: WA, USA

Wow, now THAT is lurking! member since 03 and this is your first post.  Just wow.  I've found my exact opposite!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the postwhore of them all..........