CA LEO Vs. AZ LEO?

[yzErnie]

You guys are all talking about southern Arizona. Not all of Arizona is flat and hot. Just a little north of Phoenix and Tuscon are some of the most beautiful mountains and towns I have ever seen.

[Noah3683]

Sedona, Pine Top, Show Low...... Very beautiful areas, and certainly don't carry the heat of Tuscon, Phoenix, etc.... One thing to keep in mind though.... many cities and even certain parts of the cities have funny hidden taxes in there. I don't imagine being an leo that your "personal" required job material IE: self purchased duty pistol could do too much damage, but in South Tuscon they taxed all job related property itself. A mechanic with say $50,000-$100,000 in personal tools takes a slaughtering. I'm not sure they still practice this, but in this economy I doubt they would have done away with them

[762.DEFENSE]

The heat doesn't really bother me, but I could see with wearing a vest and working for lets say Pheonix- it might be quite difficult getting used to the heat. One thing on my mind though is: I would like to be able to openly purchase class 2 and class 3 toys while being an officer (A friend of mine is having a hard time going around the yellow tape to even get a Silencer for his AR-15). That's one of the reasons I'm looking into AZ and possibly NV. Another thought that has popped in my head after reading most of your posts following my original one; is that I might just tough it out here for awhile, buy a house in one of those states and retire there or vacation there etc.

[762.DEFENSE]

Thank you for all the responses and food for thought! I really appreciate it everyone.

[Subotai]

I don't know if this is still true, but Kalif cops get good training, and then get good field experience. You could start here in the Big ****t-y, and then have your pick of smaller depts. elsewhere cause you'll have seen more in a few years than their most experienced officers. I know five guys who left one dept. for Boise PD.

[Beagle]

that was one of my regrets of not going with DEA or some other state agency before I got too entrenched in my department

Does CA also have a DEA? The DEA (federal) does not pay full medical as far as I know.

[Beagle]

AZ might be nice as far as gun laws but I won't move there just for that. CA is too beautiful, 20 mins to the beach, desert, mountain and another country can't beat that.

[oddjob]

I remember some out of state people going snow skiing here in California. After they were done they drove 2 hrs with friends and went water skiing the same day. Its tough to beat that type of versatility.

[fullrearview]

Just a thought....
CA 3% @50
NV 2.65% @55 or 25 yrs of service

Not sure what AZ is, or even if you will have that retirement when you retire (Thats why I'm also doing an IRA because I personally think 3@50 is going bye bye). Like its been said before, go when the job is. When the economy rebounds, you can go elsewhere.

[thebronze]

AZ might be nice as far as gun laws but I won't move there just for that. CA is too beautiful, 20 mins to the beach, desert, mountain and another country can't beat that.

That's about the only thing Kali has going for it now-a-days.

Geography and weather.

[retired]

Just a thought....
CA 3% @50
NV 2.65% @55 or 25 yrs of service

Not sure what AZ is, or even if you will have that retirement when you retire (Thats why I'm also doing an IRA because I personally think 3@50 is going bye bye). Like its been said before, go when the job is. When the economy rebounds, you can go elsewhere.

More and more cities and counties that agreed to the 3% @50 are trying to change that due to the financial burden and they may, in this environment, be successful. I don't recall, but I believe some have already been successful. With the city of Bell in the news, that has increased the outcry by people in other cities to remove those. So I really don't know how much of a factor that will be in one's choice between Ca. and Nv.

My county (LA) is one of the few entities that did not adopt it. Bad for us, but the citizens are happy. Ours is 2.5 IIRC @50 or 20yrs. of service.

[9mmepiphany]

Does CA also have a DEA?

sorry ...mind wander...I meant BNE

[9mmepiphany]

So I really don't know how much of a factor that will be in one's choice between Ca. and Nv.

I waited for the 3%@50. I saw too many folks who left at 2.5% coming back to work as anualtants

[novalondon]

I am retired after 25 yrs. in Az.
We have a retirement system here that is for police, fire, and corrections only. It is based on a 20 yr 50% and each year after you add 2% to year 25. One day afer 25 yrs it retros back to 20 and make it 2.5% instead of 2% and then maxes out at 80% at 32 yrs.
We have the DROP as well and I was in it for 36 months before I retired. Ours maxes at 60 months.
BEST OF ALL,,, WE ARE A FREE STATE, BUY AND HAVE WHAT YOU WANT IN WEAPONS WITHOUT THE STATE BEING A BIG BROTHER!
Temps depend where in the state you decide to work. Desert areas are the hottest of course and the bigger agencies of course are in the desert portion of Arizona.

I was a motor for most of my career and it was indeed hot during the summertime, but like anything else it is something you get used to...Remember,,,It Is A Dry Heat !!!

Wife is also retired at 22yrs and we can and do play now, no more work for us.

[bshnt2015]

Look at the retirement system in both state, CA maybe headed for a 2 tier system, currently 3%@50 now maybe headed 3%@55. Get in while you can, jobs are hard to come by because of layoffs and poor economy hitting cities. Most agencies are looking at laterals vs entry/academy.