Did I make the right choice?

[simplyconfused]

Here is the deal, I was recently hired by a small upscale suburb in Ohio. I am almost complete with my FTO. Here is the problem, (maybe its just in my head) I have always wanted to be where I am at right now being a police officer for a municpal department having worked for a University Police Department for three years. Before when I told people what I do most responses I got where "o so your like a security guard right?" Now I get "o so your taking stolen bike reports and kids knocking over mailboxes huh?" I can see that sometimes even an other LEO with a department that is "busy" and works in a much higher crime area seems to think they are better. What I mean by this is that they have the cocky "what do you deal with over there anyways attitude too." Now I feel like man I worked so hard to get here and people put me down, I am doing the same think any other LEO is doing out there. Yes the department I work for is small 12 fulltime, and yes the call volume is very low. Although the pay is among the top in the county.
Here is where the tough part comes in, I have another department that I tested for prior to being hired that still may call me back. This department has a very high call volume, and in an urban environment though it would be at least a 6-8k a year salary cut. Although I told my current department if they called me in for an interview I would turn them down. Now with the way I am getting treated I am having second thoughts. I value my integrity and I think that maybe I should stick by word and just suck it up and make the best out of my current job. Everyone treats me great where I am and I can do as much or as little as I want on the road. Thanks for reading may seem like BS and I am sweating the little things,but would love to hear from guys in small suburbs (or anyone else with some thoughts). Thanks and stay safe.

[Hopeful Ranger]

Originally said by simplyconfused:
I have always wanted to be where I am at right now being a police officer for a municpal department

That should pretty much answer your own question. You also mention that the pay is good and that everyone treats you great, so it doesn't seem like there is any problem at all.

It seems you are worried about what other people think rather than what you think. You have to ask yourself if you would be happy if you took the other job, or if you would hate it but you were doing what everyone thought you should be doing.

You have to do what makes YOU happy in life, and if someone gives you attitude for it, tell them to go jump off a bridge. Just kidding about the bridge part, but don't worry about what others think.

[Kahuna5150]

Who cares what other people or officers think about where you work. If you are happy there (and by your post it sounds like you are) and you make good money/benefits, why would you even consider taking a cut? No matter where you go to work, someone from another department or some citizen will say that where you work is not the "real deal".

If you're bored of where you work, or you really want to work for another department (***YOU WANT TO***), then go for it. If you're happy where you're at, you should care less what other people say. You could be an LAPD officer and some small department officer will say you're dumb for working in such a busy dangerous city for less pay than the officer in the smaller department. At the same time as a small town officer you could be told you aren't the real deal by an LAPD officer as you don't handle "real" calls. Either way who cares if you're happy...

(LAPD just used as an example since it's the biggest department here in CA)

Kahuna

[The General]

People are always going to have to type of ^$%&$ comment about ANY agency. You mentioned getting the "what do you guys do anyway?" because you work in a slow town. Like Kahuna said, big city cops get the "I can't believe you work in (insert name of dangerous neighborhood) for that money." Federal OIG agents get the "all you guys do is paperwork". State troopers get the "all you guys do is chase taillights".

Everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. I happen to believe that all LEOs are on the same team, and no one is "better" or "tougher" or "smarter" than anyone just because they work in a busy department, or a highly paid department, or a department with more name recognition.

I did police work for $8 an hour while I was in college. Sometimes officers from other areas would say to me "I would never risk my life carrying a gun and badge for $8 an hour". Well, I would and did.

Who cares what people say? Everyone likes something different. Some people's dream job is a nice slow department where you have plenty of free time to be proactive and interact with the community. Some people want to run radio calls nonstop. Whatever you like.

Then there's the money issue. Is it worth the paycut to get more radio calls and probably more experience? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Only you can make that decision, and it shouldn't matter what people (except your family and friends) say about you or your decisions.

[Big Sexy]

I have to agree with K5150. You've only made a mistake if YOUthink you have. There's on old saying,"You can't please everyone, so please yourself."

[simplyconfused]

Thanks for the replies, just trying not to get that cynical attitude. I was listening to a deputy sheriff that works for the county that may city is in. His statement about an officer on our department was "does he think he is #@#! superman or somethin stopping everyone. "Give me a break thinking he is going to save the world or something." I really wanted to say something to him like, why the hell did you take this job with an attitude like that. If I get cynical like that I made a promise to myself that I would leave so the people I am supposed to protect don't suffer. The thing that really gets me is that I was trying to get out of the univeristy environment for so long now I gotta hear these things. I know nowhere is going to be perfect, but I just want to do my job is that too much to ask?

[Dolemite]

You gotta relax.

No matter what you are doing, some blowhard is going to try to make you feel they are more high-speed.

Myself, when I encounter someone like this, I feel badly for them. I figure it stems from insecurity- either mommy didn't hug 'em enough or they have a really small pee-pee. Whatever. They might be jealous of your job- better pay, fewer winos, etc.

If you are happy and helping people you are good to go. Don't let anyone affect your happiness.

[Midtncop]

There are many big egos on this job. You could put every LEO you know in the same room and every one of them would think they are the smartest one in the room.

I also previously worried about what other people thought about me and my job. Now I just agree with them when they make a comment and laugh. There will always be the rivalries. The county badmouths the city. The city badmouths the state. They all badmouth the feds and the feds badmouth the FBI :) . Sometime its jealousy. Sometimes its ego. But let one of us go down and watch them all show up. You are on the team. Be proud.

[Badge11]

Don't worry about what everyone thinks. Do what makes you happy. Gotta have thick skin to survive in this business.

[CGM77]

As was instructed to me earlier, take advantage of what you have. Use your time wisely and enjoy the heck out of the job. Also, don't be on the defensive about your dept., you're and officer and you take the same risks we all do no matter where you work.

[simplyconfused]

[UncleSugar]

You could put every LEO you know in the same room and every one of them would think they are the smartest one in the room.. . . and only I would be correct! :clown:

Just kidding. I completely agree, some folks let their egos get out of control. You don't want to be one of those guys, but if you let your wounded ego drive where you go to work, then you are on the road to being on of the aforementioned egomaniacs.

If your main motivation to switch agencies is that you would truly be happier working there, than working for your current agency then go for it. If your main motivation is concern over what small minded idiots think and say about your current job, then you need to rethink your priorities in life.

"Everyone treats me great where I am . . ." Will the guys at the other department who disparage your current agency also treat you great?