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Being a law enforcement officer is noble and good work. I know I could never do it, but I'm glad there are others out there who have found their calling in life. This article is about the Tacoma Police Department. The Seattle PD pays its boys in blue even more with the new contract negotiations.
Quote:
From Tacoma News Tribune:
They’re on billboards and on the backs of buses. They were at booths at the McChord Air Expo and the Tall Ships Tacoma festival. Local law enforcement agencies are saturating the area with their message – “We are hiring now!” – in continued efforts to fill their ranks.
With the competition for applicants remaining intense, recruiters have altered their tactics and put money into incentive packages and advertising campaigns.
“It’s a regionwide problem as well as a national dilemma,” said Tacoma police Lt. Corey Darlington, who works in the department’s hiring unit. “Like many other agencies, we are finding it a challenge to fill police officer positions.”
Overall, the agencies are filling openings but are still losing ground.
Several agencies talked last weekend to men and women attending the McChord air show, which attracted more than 377,000 people. Tacoma police officers handed out 1,000 recruiting packets over the two days from their spot in Hangar No. 3.
“This has probably been our biggest career fair in the last three years,” Tacoma police Sgt. Dwayne Joseph said. “It was huge. We’ve never gone through that much material before.”
He’s already received a handful of e-mails and phone calls from people who picked up the information. That’s the kind of return agencies are looking for.
Here’s how Tacoma police, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and Washington State Patrol are working to fill their vacancies.
It's been my understanding that most city police departments require a bachelors degree. When considering the danger, wages, and education requirements I wouldn't want to do it either. I can see why they're having problems. Besides, it's Tacoma! EWE!!!
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"Trust but verify"
Ronald Reagan
Cops can do very well. I have several ex-pilot friends who have become police officers. There are things about the job that appeal to pilot personalities.
Many times on this forum I have brought up the police job. Six months ago this suggestion would have brought a hail of tomatoes. However it is a great career suggestion.
The best part is that it does not require 80K in training and years of your life before you apply. Just show up for the test. I also think that many departments are relaxing degree requirements for entry.
Great pay, benefits and retirement. My buddy who is a deputy will be fully retired at 53.
Skyhigh
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Earn a living as a pilot but have no life. Have a life but earn no living.
I would submit there are many jobs in aviation that pay as well as being a police officer, have less stress, and more time off. In aviation, a four year degree is only needed for the top end of the career. You could get into the biz with no more than a CFI and work your way up to a job that equals being a cop in pay, benes, and QOL. Cops sometimes work graveyard, ya know. Can't really make the "home every night" argument with that.
That said, if you one of those in aviation who have been furloughed and need to put food on the table, or just want out of the biz, I could see LEO as a viable alternative.
We've had several LEO's at APC looking to get into flying. Would be nice if one of them would chime in.
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I would submit there are many jobs in aviation that pay as well as being a police officer, have less stress, and more time off. In aviation, a four year degree is only needed for the top end of the career. You could get into the biz with no more than a CFI and work your way up to a job that equals being a cop in pay, benes, and QOL. Cops sometimes work graveyard, ya know. Can't really make the "home every night" argument with that.
That said, if you one of those in aviation who have been furloughed and need to put food on the table, or just want out of the biz, I could see LEO as a viable alternative.
We've had several LEO's at APC looking to get into flying. Would be nice if one of them would chime in.
I sure would like to know what flying jobs can offer a similar situation as being a police officer. One of the best things that being a police officer has going for them is a sound government retirement plan. In addition they have great benefits.
I don't know of any flying jobs other than at a traditional legacy that has anything similar. I to have know plenty of LEO who have become pilots. Usually after they have a nice retirement check coming in from their police career.
Skyhigh
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Earn a living as a pilot but have no life. Have a life but earn no living.
I worked briefly as an air taxi pilot for a guy who had retired from a 40 year career as a state trooper in South Carolina. He had 4 extremely well-kept Cessnas hangared at Clemson. The business lost money but he was quite happy with them and would talk me to death about his escapades as a cop. His airplanes could pass for new and there was no doubt that he had some money.
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Turn the heat O-F-F!
Last edited by Cubdriver : 07-23-2008 at 05:38 PM.
I worked briefly as an air taxi pilot for a guy who had retired from a 40 year career as a state trooper in South Carolina. He had 4 extremely well-kept Cessnas hangared at Clemson. The business lost money but he was quite happy with them and would talk me to death about his escapades as a cop. His airplanes could pass for new and there was no doubt that he had some money.
When I was a CFI the nicest plane on the field was a Stearman that was owned by a Tacoma police officer. Back in thew late 1980's he was making almost 100K.
In my home town cops start out at 50K and can work their way up from there. By comparison a pilot must invest in a degree plus 60 to 80K in training and many years to get there.
And lastly cops are in demand in almost everywhere. Pilots are not.
Skyhigh
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Earn a living as a pilot but have no life. Have a life but earn no living.
When I was a CFI the nicest plane on the field was a Stearman that was owned by a Tacoma police officer. Back in thew late 1980's he was making almost 100K.
In my home town cops start out at 50K and can work their way up from there. By comparison a pilot must invest in a degree plus 60 to 80K in training and many years to get there.
And lastly cops are in demand in almost everywhere. Pilots are not.
Skyhigh
I topped the 50K within my first year in aviation. Tops where as high as 180+ bennies. There is more to aviation that eating noodles as a F/O.
You seem to have the entire population as "ex pilots" for friends. Do you live in some sort of community where these people gather? I have yet to find a single cop that used to fly for airlines...
Ok, boys, I posted this in the "alternative careers for pilots" section. If you already have a flying job and want to keep it, then you should do that. If you got F'ed (say, the F word I'm thinking of is not the 4 letter one so I should spell it out), transitioning to a LEO is an option. You might be from the Pacific Northwest and want to come home. Now's your chance! Move back in with Mom and Dad for a while.
Another alternative, of course, is becoming a lawyer. However, it boggles the mind why anyone would want to be like me, when I want to be like you!
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Police agencies step up recruiting efforts
However, it boggles the mind why anyone would want to be like me, when I want to be like you!
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