Posted: 4/22/2010 1:13:46 PM EDT
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BeetleBailey is seriously considering changing his title to "Officer" BeetleBailey. I've scheduled a ride-along with a Bham PD friend, increased the regularity of shooting with my county SWAT friend, and have begun the application and networking process.
What, if anything, if EVERYTHING, can you tell/advise/inform/dissuade/persuade me of prior to the leap? Areas, schedules, requirements are of little concern to me. The highest concern is starting pay, because as a prior professional in accounting/finance, and closing on my MBA this December, I'd really like to maintain as close a salary to what I am currently used to. I know this isn't feasible and everyone starts at the bottom as a rookie officer, but I assume some of the "higher end" areas would pay more? (and hence, be more highly pursued?) Having the degrees helps gain initial steps in most departments, so I've heard? |
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Shelby Co. SO, Pelham, Alabaster, all three pay pretty well from what I remember, I listed them from top to bottom. Hoover used to be a decent city as far a salary but they've rearranged their step increases to drag out the top out process keeping salaries low from what I've heard. They're all pretty much over anywhere in Jeffco if memory serves. I have friends at all four and they're all pretty happy, course the Hoover guys were in before the reconfig. ETA: In Jeffco, for salary stay over the mountain. If you want to work every type crime imaginable and a lot of them, go ghetto. |
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BeetleBailey is seriously considering changing his title to "Officer" BeetleBailey. I've scheduled a ride-along with a Bham PD friend, increased the regularity of shooting with my county SWAT friend, and have begun the application and networking process. What, if anything, if EVERYTHING, can you tell/advise/inform/dissuade/persuade me of prior to the leap? Areas, schedules, requirements are of little concern to me. The highest concern is starting pay, because as a prior professional in accounting/finance, and closing on my MBA this December, I'd really like to maintain as close a salary to what I am currently used to. I know this isn't feasible and everyone starts at the bottom as a rookie officer, but I assume some of the "higher end" areas would pay more? (and hence, be more highly pursued?) I know a couple of Bham cops also. From what I hear, the pay sucks and they get to deal with shitty politics out of Birmingham City Hall (if you aren't black, you're screwed for advancement), it's a crooked town so watch out. I'd try for MBPD, Pelham, Hoover or Vestavia, but that's just based on what I've heard. Good luck BB. |
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Actually our pay is the top in Jefferson county,plus we have the best benefits package.
I know,it shocked me too.Especially when I got a raise a couple of years ago and lost 70.00 bucks a month 
Go figure. The working atmosphere has improved tremendously under Roper. The racial stuff within the department is WAY overstated.On the street,it is just a straw to grasp at for somebody in trouble,no surprise. And let there be no doubt,we are the Real Police 
It ain't for everybody. |
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Tuscaloosa pays well and is a great dept.
They were excepting apps last time I checked. Best of luck. Start running NOW! Here's a link of some PDs pay scale Tuscaloosa is wrong, starting pay is 39k and change now! Tpd hires non APOST. http://forums.officer.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-92075.html |
| Your best chance as a non-APOST certified officer is take the Jefferson Co, Hoover, Tuscaloosa and Shelby Co tests. They will send through the academy. Or find a department who will sponsor you and pay your own way through the academy. Most of the other well paying departments want someone with APOST and expierence. If you are expecting to make 50K plus as a rook forget about it. You might squeeze it out with some off duty gigs. |
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Thank you all very much for the information. Bama, do the tests come after an interview opportunity, or is there something I have to do ahead of time? I know Jeff Co positions won't be happening for a while, according to my friend on the dept. Hoover or something similar would be very ideal. |
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Thank you all very much for the information. Bama, do the tests come after an interview opportunity, or is there something I have to do ahead of time? I know Jeff Co positions won't be happening for a while, according to my friend on the dept. Hoover or something similar would be very ideal. Test, PT test, then the interview process. |
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with a degree in accounting...... have you consider the FBI? I assume he wants to stay local. If he tried FBI they are going to ship him to the other side of the CONUS. this. Too many family ties at the moment to seriously consider pursuing that. Trust me, I've considered it. I've also talked to some "other" people... 
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| You can make pretty good money when you throw in the off duty jobs out there. I made 65k from the city and 25k from side jobs last year but you will not start out near that. You can bank on working holidays for a while too. In 19 years I bet I have worked on Christmas day 12 or 13 times. |
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with a degree in accounting...... have you consider the FBI? I was once told that the US Marshall Service offered opportunities to stay put in the office you applied for once they trained you, don't know if that is true I am guessing that the Feds pay better and have better benefits? |
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with a degree in accounting...... have you consider the FBI? I was once told that the US Marshall Service offered opportunities to stay put in the office you applied for once they trained you, don't know if that is true I am guessing that the Feds pay better and have better benefits? A guy on my shift was just hired by US Marshalls he was told Atlanta or Miami was the 2 hot spots but that Bham was in need of staff. He was given Bham. When they are excepting apps you have just a few days to apply. Worth checking into. Good luck man. |
