Conditional Offers Stockton PD

[headstart101]

As of right now I have a few conditional offers from two Northern California Departments, Stockton PD and Sacramento County Sheriff. Is there anyone on here who works for Stockton PD? Obvious there will be more opportunity at Sac SO, however I won't see patrol until I do mandatory time in the jails, which can be between 2 to 7 years. Just looking for advise from LEO's with experience on here, who have or is currently working for Stockton PD.

[Spyder]

No experience with either department, but I certainly wouldn't want to LIVE in Stockton.

[74c5]

The jail experience can't be ignored. However, the jail experience can't be ignored.
A S/O has significantly more range of opportunities than a P.D. but, being large, those opportunities can be a challenge to get into if you get lost in the crowd. A P.D. lets one get a bit closer to the opportunities and is a smaller community.

[mixicus]

Think about what you want for your entire 30 year career. A few years in jail is a small fraction of your working life to be significantly concerned about.

[ammodepo]

Working for County
+ more movement and jobs available
+ jail experience and court service experience
+ better chance of getting promotion (usually since bigger than city PD)
+ get to wear tan and green

City
+ dont have to baby sit inmates
+ go straight to patrol
+ better equipment most of the time than county
+ shorter time when waiting for back up to arrive
+ get to dress in blue

[P5Ret]

Working for County
+ more movement and jobs available
+ jail experience and court service experience
+ better chance of getting promotion (usually since bigger than city PD)
+ get to wear tan and green Black

City
+ dont have to baby sit inmates
+ go straight to patrol
+ better equipment most of the time than county
+ shorter time when waiting for back up to arrive
+ get to dress in blue

FIFY

OP you really can't go wrong with either. I've worked with guys who were in Stockton, and knew a few guys at Sac SO. If it was me I'd lean a bit more towards Sac.

I'm sure you've done your research and know that Stockton can range from busy to supper busy depending on what part of town your working. You'll get a ton of experience at Stockton in a short time.

[Unit74]

Take which ever one comes through first. Just the way it is. If they both come in at the same time, which one has a better benefits package?

[camaroguy2012]

I would look at the benefits, didnt stockton go to a 401k vs calpers or significantly lowered their benefits to avoid bankruptcy, SO would be the safer bet at this point

[DEPUTYBILL]

Benefits are an issue to look at. Stockton did have some cuts, and just came out of bankruptcy.
Would you have to pick up and move if you took a job at either place? Are you married with children? A move might disrupt the home life?
I worked for San Joaquin S/O for thirty plus years. So my choice would be an S/O. Your mileage may vary.
Are you just limited to those two? I would consider San Joaquin county and some of the other cities in the Sacto/San Joaquin area if you want to be or remain in the general area.

[oddjob]

Stk PD is having a retention problem. A few years ago when the benefits got cut they happened to hire 78 officers. The problem was 84 quit and moved on. Those that did get hired are now receiving their basic POST certificates. Some are now leaving or at least testing to leave. There's a reason(s) for that. Being a "training ground" is costing the city money.

Working the jail sucks, but is a good learning experience. I would probably go with Sac S/O for the long term career.

[stdalex]

Not a LEO and so sorry I'm not specifically answers that part of the question. Just wanted to chime in about the two areas. Do you currently live here or will you be moving here? While the two areas are close I would say they are distinctly differnt.
Sacramento county as a whole is generally nice with some really nice areas and one or two bad areas. Stockton city on the other hand (and no offense to anyone from there, no flame ontended) is what I would consider bad with one or two ok to nice areas.

[barca101]

As everything that was mentioned above, one of the best things working at a sheriffs office is importantly able to pass probation, then go to patrol after probation. A lot of deputies I've seen who thought were very 10-8 fail FTO the first time. Deputies return to jail/ courts and work on their deficiencies, and they easily pass FTO the second time without any problems and also the thought of not getting terminated.

On a police departments, there are no second chances. If you don't do well, you are let go.

I've seen many deputies who doesn't have the patience to work in the jail and prematurely lateral to a PD and are unsuccessful there and try to come back. I don't want that to be you, so way the pros and cons.

Good luck

[headstart101]

Take which ever one comes through first. Just the way it is. If they both come in at the same time, which one has a better benefits package?

Sac So pays more but starting off I will not get any benefits for the first 6 months on the job. Stockton said they will start me off with full benefits right away. As of right now I just need to do my medical and psych for both departments. I am also looking at Hayward PD, as one of their recruiting officers is trying to get me on with them but the HR department is lagging.

[headstart101]

Benefits are an issue to look at. Stockton did have some cuts, and just came out of bankruptcy.
Would you have to pick up and move if you took a job at either place? Are you married with children? A move might disrupt the home life?
I worked for San Joaquin S/O for thirty plus years. So my choice would be an S/O. Your mileage may vary.
Are you just limited to those two? I would consider San Joaquin county and some of the other cities in the Sacto/San Joaquin area if you want to be or remain in the general area.

I own a house in the Sacramento area so I am looking to commute ( I commuted over 1 hr one way a day for my previous job), I also have two kids and a gf. I am also looking to other departments too, I passed my oral board for Roseville PD and was placed on their employment list, I am also on the employment list for Solano SO, and San Mateo PD. I am also in the process for Hayward PD. I don't think San Joaquin is hiring. I understand that it's a long career but at 27 years old, I do not want to be a rookie in patrol in my mid thirties.

[headstart101]

Not a LEO and so sorry I'm not specifically answers that part of the question. Just wanted to chime in about the two areas. Do you currently live here or will you be moving here? While the two areas are close I would say they are distinctly differnt.
Sacramento county as a whole is generally nice with some really nice areas and one or two bad areas. Stockton city on the other hand (and no offense to anyone from there, no flame ontended) is what I would consider bad with one or two ok to nice areas.

Thanks for in the input, I live in the Sac area.