It will get better...

[Arias]

As a self-sponsored recruit unable to find a job that is all I hear, "It will eventually get better," or "Be ready so when we do start hiring." I keep going on ride-alongs to make my face familiar with local departments, but its discouraging. It just seems like the hole California is in just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and public safety budgets keep getting smaller and smaller. After spending thousands of dollars and applying all over God's green creation, I've still been unable to land a job.

So, to end my rant, when will things actually get better?

[stagman]

How long have you been certified and looking?

How many departments have you applied to? I hear rumors of departments hiring, you just may have to be willing to relocate.

I plan on starting an academy in May, so I am vested in your answers.

Things will eventually get better... If not, then when the smoke clears, it won't matter much.

[TJ3000]

What academy are you guys going to?

[fullrearview]

If you talk with the self proclaimed dinosaurs, they will tell you it comes in waves... Within another 2 years, hiring will rebound.

[ankyle62]

If you talk with the self proclaimed dinosaurs, they will tell you it comes in waves... Within another 2 years, hiring will rebound.

Good to hear, by that time I will have my 5 years military and a degree under my belt.

[cacop]

The places I know of that are hiring academy grads right now are: Redwood City, Fremont, Richmond, Santa Cruz city, Oroville, and Paradise.

It will turn around even more because there will be people retiring within the next couple of years and at some point they will have to fill those spots. Basically the last of the baby boomers are going to retire.

[PandaLuv]

As a self-sponsored recruit unable to find a job that is all I hear, "It will eventually get better," or "Be ready so when we do start hiring." I keep going on ride-alongs to make my face familiar with local departments, but its discouraging. It just seems like the hole California is in just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and public safety budgets keep getting smaller and smaller. After spending thousands of dollars and applying all over God's green creation, I've still been unable to land a job.

So, to end my rant, when will things actually get better?

Only god knows.

[trendar5]

If San Jose lays off those 200+ officers, you will have a hard time getting hired. Some of those slated for layoffs will have 4 or more years of experience.

[yzErnie]

These cycles roll around every few years. They usually last a couple years and then things get better. Unfortunately, this time around the cycle will take years, if at all to recover from. There are many reasons for these "slumps" but with the current free spending of our tax dollars for everything but public safety this one will take an unknown period of time.

Stay persistent as departments have gone so long without hiring they are now having to hire in small numbers just to stay at the minimums. My department has cancelled the April academy and probably the July academy as well. We will only only be hiring laterals to fill vacants spots as the training expenses are very small that way.

[calirc51]

Unfortunately it is throughout the Nation. Good luck!

[bshnt2015]

Socal is a better place to start-LAPD, Orange County, etc. Norcal is very slow, the talk is concessions and expanding retirement age. I'd consider out of state. Good luck.

[Tallship]

It's probably not going to get better any time soon, and may get worse, if other sheriff's departments start following our example. What the department is doing now is taking CD's and putting them though the LE academy. You get a known quantity who already has a leg up on the academy process and has already passed the psych, background, etc. process. Only thing cheaper is a lateral.

[epilepticninja]

Check to see if the departments you are interested in are hiring reserves? And with some agencies, it can take over a year to be hired.

[9mmepiphany]

Ca is doing better than some other states. A friend on another forum just had his 40 officer department, back East, completely dissolved

[fullrearview]

Ca is doing better than some other states. A friend on another forum just had his 40 officer department, back East, completely dissolved

Very true. That in part is due to nearly 100k officers employed state wide. Bodies are always moving, retiring, etc.