University Police Laterals

[Fjold]

I'm not a cop but my nephew works for a UC police department and he says the benefits there are much better than for working for any small city police department.

[ls2monaro]

My personal opinion is if you want to be a cop go work for a 830.1 agency, aka city police officer or county deputy sheriff. Hopefully you go work somewhere busy and learn how to deal with the chaos and madness. Once you've gotten a handle on basic patrol, then decide what you want to do. Either stay at your department and hit special teams, promote, or if you have no desire for any of that look into some of the other jobs available.

Some seasoned vets like heading over to college or railroad police and earning a decent wage without all the chaos the 830.1 agencies come along with.

Would definitely not recommend starting at a slow agency or college pd, your inexperience would leave you vulnerable if shtf and there was a critical incident to handle.

If you want to carry a gun and look cool wearing sunglasses driving around in a police car, go apply with Newport Beach pd.

[LtJim]

Without doing much research as of right now on campus police careers I think that is how I would view it, as a stepping stone. A good one at that. Get my education and experience to make myself more marketable. Still have to research and even apply, because I don't want to jump into it blindly.

Let me be a little more direct---as stated in other responses by other old timers, in a politically correct fashion--->
Do you really think that you are making yourself more marketable to an 830.1 agency--Muni/Sheriff because you were a school cop? I am not degrading School cops---It is simply a different job. Heres an example---Routine call for 830.1 agcys in L.A. County,---"Respond to the area of Walk and Dont walk, - Possible shots fired in the area" This is a routine type call in that area---handled wayyyyy different!
Not a routine call for schools. - It is a major incident there .

I could go on and on-----Think what you want to do and go for it!

Good Luck

[Eagle Peak]

As a longtime 830.1 cop now working (happily) as a 830.2 cop for the CSU system, I would suggest setting your sights on a municipal/county job. Many university departments are hiring laterals (and especially retirees from non-PERS retirement systems) who bring a great deal of experience to the job. You would a) be competing against those experienced officers for the position(s), and b) would be likely to move one after a few years to get the "street" experience you really want. Later on in your career you can give working at a university a second look if you grow tired of the grind/have family considerations/want to pursue your education. In the meantime, get your cuffs wet in as large and as busy a municipal/county agency you can join. Enjoy it while it lasts; it's the funnest job you will ever hate

[asphaltcowboychip]

It's a case by case basis. Every department has its own policy regarding laterals. Some will require you to do minimal training other departments will require you to restart from square one.

[5.56]

Let me be a little more direct---as stated in other responses by other old timers, in a politically correct fashion--->
Do you really think that you are making yourself more marketable to an 830.1 agency--Muni/Sheriff because you were a school cop? I am not degrading School cops---It is simply a different job. Heres an example---Routine call for 830.1 agcys in L.A. County,---"Respond to the area of Walk and Dont walk, - Possible shots fired in the area" This is a routine type call in that area---handled wayyyyy different!
Not a routine call for schools. - It is a major incident there .

I could go on and on-----Think what you want to do and go for it!

Good Luck

The University State Police are sworn peace officers. They have fat budgets, pay for all your gear and there's tons of overtime opportunities. There's also next to no promotional opportunities and you'll probably do all your time in patrol which is perfectly fine and very respectable.

University State Police have some of the best benefits of any agency in the state. Life time medical after 5 years of service. That's just flat out unheard of with most departments. You can do 5 years there, get the life time medical, lateral to another department that pays you if you waive your medical benefits and get a 300$ raise every paycheck.

Lt Jim put it well, you "might" get as much experience in your 5 years working as a college as a cop working 1 year for a major metro pd/sheriff. I can count on one hand how many graveyard shifts I've worked where I didn't have to respond to a violent crime in progress or gunshot call. A buddy of mine who works for a local college PD said some officers go to 3 radio calls a week.......yes..... 3. It would be an unusually slow night if I only went to 10.

Most large agencies are hurting for applicants right now. Too many people have dope history, massive debt or excessive personal baggage. I'd recommend trying to find an agency with about 1000-2000 sworn. That way its big enough to move around and have opportunities to promote and get specialized assignments, but not so big you're entirely just a number.