Info Regarding ABC (Employment)

[omgwtfbbq]

Hi there fellow CGN LEOs.

Recently was putting some feelers out about changing agencies and stumbled upon an application for Agent with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. I ended up getting accepted to the written exam next month. I'm no stranger to LE exams and nothing can be worse than the 7 hour ordeal I went through with CBP, so I'm not worried about that.

That being said, I'd like to talk (via PM or in the thread) with people who've worked for or closely with ABC. I'd like to get a better idea of the culture and values of the agency so that if I eventually receive a conditional offer, I can make an informed choice about my future. I have seniority at my current agency, and taking an entry level Agent job will be a decent paycut, so I want to be sure that this is the best long-term decision for me and my family.

If you've worked for, or worked closely with ABC, I'd really like to hear from you. Please shoot me a PM or reply in the thread if that's more your thing. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

[elpaisa1]

Hi there fellow CGN LEOs.

Recently was putting some feelers out about changing agencies and stumbled upon an application for Agent with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. I ended up getting accepted to the written exam next month. I'm no stranger to LE exams and nothing can be worse than the 7 hour ordeal I went through with CBP, so I'm not worried about that.

That being said, I'd like to talk (via PM or in the thread) with people who've worked for or closely with ABC. I'd like to get a better idea of the culture and values of the agency so that if I eventually receive a conditional offer, I can make an informed choice about my future. I have seniority at my current agency, and taking an entry level Agent job will be a decent paycut, so I want to be sure that this is the best long-term decision for me and my family.

If you've worked for, or worked closely with ABC, I'd really like to hear from you. Please shoot me a PM or reply in the thread if that's more your thing. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Wish I could provide more information on the agency. What I can tell you is that they recently got absorbed by the CHP. So unaware if they will share same benefits. But if they do, they are favorable

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[omgwtfbbq]

Wish I could provide more information on the agency. What I can tell you is that they recently got absorbed by the CHP. So unaware if they will share same benefits. But if they do, they are favorable

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

My understanding is, and this could be wrong, that they now fall under 830.2PC (like CHP, CADFW etc.) and require a POST Basic Certification. From what I've gathered, before the chang they were defined under 830.3 as Investigators which didn't require the Cert, only completion of the State Investigator Academy. The "upgrade" to agent came with some bumps in longevity benefits and top-out pay IIRC.

[tom2]

[omgwtfbbq]

I don't think I would be considered a lateral even though I am currently a sworn LEO. My current position is under 830.5PC and didn't/doesn't require a POST cert so I don't have one. I would have to go through the academy just like a fresh hire.

[P5Ret]

My insight is a bit dated, but we did a fair amount of work with a few guys from ABC. Everyone I worked with enjoyed the job they were doing, but also everyone of them did not like being constantly short staffed, and the backlog of complaints they worked on. So just like everywhere else at that time.

[code_blue]

One of my former instructors always stated that if he had to do it all over again, he'd go with ABC. The agency is apparently one of the hidden gems of the PC 830 world.

Temp oversight by CHP is correct. The agency lost a lot of agents to DOJ and probably the newly developed MJ regulatory agency under DCA. The ABC website had CHP folks listed as their agency heads for some time, however they are no longer listed as such. The upper positions have been appointed and the agency is back to normal.

It is correct that prior, ABC investigators had SIBC quals. After a certain point, it was easier to send trainees to nearby agencies that have RBC's (instead of to Socal's bi-annual SIBC) essentially allowing their folks to be full POST certed. This likely helped the agency win it's bump to Agent classification and is also why the exams are now for Agent and Agent Trainee. The Investigator exam score is no longer applicable towards the positions. If you do not have an SIBC or RBC, you will likely need to go through one. Given your location, you will likely go through Sac PD unless there is another local agency they'll send you to.

Their apps are online now via jobs.ca.gov (with exception to the exam application) and are easy to navigate. It's very straightforward. The process, like any state level, will take a while to complete. Just note that you will not get Sacramento and will likely be placed in the Bay area or if you so decide, Socal.

OMG, PM me if you want specific details.

Fun facts, ABC busted Lagunitas years ago and turned them straight. Now they're one of the more profitable companies out there. The company brews their "Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale" every year honoring the "astronaut" that busted them.

https://lagunitas.com/beers/undercover#

[tom2]