PD VS SO VS State Mentality

[code_blue]

Ladies and Gents,

I am at a point in my un-sworn career where I've decided to pursue crossing over. I've served 8 years and going on 9 with my agency, however my agency had frozen the deputy hiring process since forever. Well, they did open a few years ago, but I had no shot at competing against Veteran's preference and experienced laterals from across the US.

I have been around long enough to analyze agencies and try to choose an agency where I may eventually proudly retire from; I believe in heavy loyalty towards the agency that gave me the opportunity even though I understand that isn't always feasible. Given what I've learned and the current political climate, I am beginning to wonder how you past and current boots on the ground handle the politics at each type of agency.

PD Chiefs answer to the questionable city officials, Sheriffs are politicians themselves and generally operate independently, State agencies are like PDs as their heads are appointed by the Gov and answer to politicians. Granted there are other agencies on the local government levels, but I do not know enough about them to determine who their heads answers to (Probation, County Marshals, etc. . .). I won't even get into Federal. . .

How do you deal or get past the stigma? I do not wish to be chastised for doing my job or the right thing nor do I want to work for anyone who is potentially swayed by officials. Now, I understand it is the nature of public service. . . I'm not really sure what I'm asking. I guess it would be how do you all continue to do your job to the best of your ability when your administration doesn't back you? I can't be the only person questioning this.

[RickD427]

You gotta remember that we're living in the real world. And having said that, the political situation isn't as dire as you may be painting it. I think that you would be very well served at any of the larger city and county agencies. Most state agencies are too small, and restricted in their policing functions to keep you challenged through the course of a 30 year career.

The good police chiefs and sheriffs understand that one of their major responsibilities is to be a "sandbag" between their line folks and political element. As long as you don't intentionally embarrass them, or make too many stupid mistakes, they do a good job of insulating you from the politics. They have to, its how they get their job done. Every now and then, you will find one that is deficient, but then they don't last too long.

[CBR_rider]

This is where POBAR and have association representation/protection is important (but not everything) to allowing cops to be good cops. Take a look at some other states and you can see good cops getting fired for doing the right thing on duty; some of those terminations are due in part due to a lack of legal protections for LEO's.

I agree with Rick that working at a medium-large agency is probably in your best interest. You get to be fairly insulated from the brass, have plenty of assignments to move around to (one particular unit may have terrible staff in charge of it; in a big agency it can be easy to avoid that unit while still having the opportunity to advance/try new things), and are generally less likely to be a "good old boys club." I would worry more about what kind of policing you want to do instead of the type of agency leader in charge. I have learned that the most important thing is ultimately not really the head honcho but the crew you work with, your immediate supervisor(s), and maybe your first immediate staff member/manager.

[code_blue]

I spoke with a Retired Annuitant from Sac SO that was given designated RO1 classification to maintain is 24/7 powers.

Subtracting the curse words and salty terminology, he basically told me to avoid all of the PDs in the area specifically for what you've both mentioned. Well he recommended Sac PD since they were very busy and worked well with the SO.

Unfortunately, I believe that both would require that I go through their RBCs, but I haven't confirmed yet. Another round of CS and OC would be worth the opportunity as long as it's the right agency.

OK, applications will go in this weekend. Reviewing my PHS shows that the shotgun application technique was a terrible idea a few years ago. So much movement of information every time there's an update.

Thanks gents. Stay safe.