Deciding on your first department

[K9 Police]

I could use some advice, opinions, experiences, etc. on a dilemma that I have been having lately. Perhaps I am making it a bigger dilemma than it should be, and that is why I could use some input from the board.

I currently work for a couple departments in Minnesota as a non-sworn officer. I am in the final stages of a hiring process for a sworn officer position in a SE Wisconsin department. The dilemma is, I am not sure if it is the right department for me. I have been told by many LEO's to take the first job offer that comes your way because you will never know if the next one will come. I have applied to other agencies, however, this department that I am debating will most likely offer a lot earlier than the others (if I get that far). However, I know for a fact that if the other departments offered, I would take that over the current department.

So I really could use some advice from any officers and how you decided on your first department. Did you take the first offer, or did you wait until you received an offer from a department you would like to work for even more.

I keep on going back and forth almost every other minute about what to do. I really appreciate anyone that posts because this is keeping me awake at night. Any input would be excellent.

Thanks a lot!

K9

[kenoshacop]

Hey K9,

I took the first job I was offered. I had applied for 3 other dept's in WI and got nowhere. I then was in the process for a company that does the testing, etc for 20 some suburbs of the Twin Cities area when I was offered the job in Kenosha. I just wanted to get my foot in the door and get started somewhere.

Although I'm looking elsewhere, as you're aware, I think I made a good decision coming here, and don't regret it one bit. As far as advice on what you should do, you are the only one that can answer that question. And yours is the only opinion that matters. If it doesn't feel right, maybe it's not the job for you. But then you have to ask yourself if you feel comfortable passing up a job you've been offered for one that you might or might not get. It's a very tough decision. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Kenoshacop

[JPacmanJr]

When I started appyling to agencies, I applied to about half of the departments in Colorado. I started narrowing down the list in who actually responded to me vs. who had lost my app. After testing for several, I took the first offer that came my way, but I still continued to test with the other agencies that I was interested in.

One of the things that you really need to consider is what you can get from the departments, ie classes, trainging, certifications. Check and see if the department has a high turnover rate with officers and how many officers it has. This will determine how fast you will be promoted and how much training you recieve.

Hope this helps

[kenoshacop]

Hey K9,

You need to clean out your p.m. box. I tried sending you replies, and you're full up. Drop me a line when you get it cleared out and I'll respond.

Kenoshacop

[K9 Police]

Kenoshacop, I thought my box was cleared, guess not. Try it now! :)

Thanks guys. Actually today was a very good day that I really needed. I was visiting my girlfriend today who lives in the town where I might be hired at. I know some of the officers and spotted one in the highschool parking lot that I thought I knew. Turns out that I didn't, but made another friend in the department and got a lot more information that I really could use to make a decision.

One of my problems was that I was worried that the department would not keep me busy, but after talking to many people I think that I can throw that out. My first and greatest concern is the equipment and size of the department. Maybe it is because I am from MN, but it seems that all of our equipment is very up to date. Maybe I am just being selfish, but I always wanted to start with a very technologically advanced department. The department is realitively small, however there is hardly any turn-over.

After talking with the officer and exploring the town a little more today, I am gaining more facts to make a decision. My philosophy from day one, like others, was to take the first job offer and then be picky after gaining experience. I think I might just stick with that and if I don't like the department, transfer after gaining some years of experience like others do.

It is a hard and tough decision to make. Sometimes I wish I could have a crystal ball and look into the future and see what would happen if I make certain decisions. I think it is obvious that all of us could use this crystal ball!!!

Just got back from seeing A Beautiful Mind, and if you haven't seen it, I recommend it. I thought it was very good!

Thanks for the replies again. This forum is the first place I go to for advice. I truly would be lost without it. Thanks again.

K9