Thinking about becoming a LEO

ctrlraven

ctrlraven

BiRDMAN
So lately I have really been thinking about becoming a Baltimore Co. cop. I like my current f/t job to a point which is just the freedom I have and the benefits but I have zero advancement unless I move out of state and take a engineering position in TX at my company HQ.

For those that don't know what I do now, I run a small shop for a very large company where I install and do monthly servicing of ignition interlocks aka vehicle breathalyzers for convicted DUI offenders. I've been stuck in some small shop for almost the past 4 years, I mean the only excitement I get is when a CAM member stops by or one of hottie clients comes in, besides that it's nice to have a heated/cooled place to work on my car but that's not really important.
 
Talk to twin...good luck...I think bmore county a lil better then bmore city though.
 
I'll stop by this weekend and do a :burnout: in your parking lot. How's that for excitement? :D
 
My GF has been a LEO on the NYPD for 10 years and she hates her job. Im not sure what its like in MD but between the quotas the mayor is pushing and the BS she has to deal with on a daily basis with higher ups, she regrets her career choice.
Then on the other hand, My friend has only 3 years on and he loves his job to the point we cant stand listening to him talk about it all the time. I took the NYPD test 3 years ago, scored very well and got the call to come down for the physical, but I didnt have the 60 college credits the city requires.
Besides, $25K a year to start is a HUGE paycut.
 
ctrlraven said:
So lately I have really been thinking about becoming a Baltimore Co. cop. I like my current f/t job to a point which is just the freedom I have and the benefits but I have zero advancement unless I move out of state and take a engineering position in TX at my company HQ.

For those that don't know what I do now, I run a small shop for a very large company where I install and do monthly servicing of ignition interlocks aka vehicle breathalyzers for convicted DUI offenders. I've been stuck in some small shop for almost the past 4 years, I mean the only excitement I get is when a CAM member stops by or one of hottie clients comes in, besides that it's nice to have a heated/cooled place to work on my car but that's not really important.
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You might want to hear what "DEFYANT" has to say--he's an LEO there in MD--PM him or maybe he may post up later .....
 
I've been an LEO for about 3 years now. I love it, and wouldn't do anything else. I suggest you either try to do a ride along with a local dept before going whole hog into it. Also look into Auxillaries. THere is no pay, and its strictly volunteer but it gives you a good feel for what the job entails. We just got a young kid out of the academy and he hates it so far. It isn't all cops and robbers and the TV show COPS.

I'm a patrol officer in a city with about 56k people, neighboring East St. Louis. I'm also a member of the county SRT (Special Response Team). We do alot of search warrants and get called out for hostage, and barricaded subjects. Its good times. Our crime rate and size is nothing like Baltimores but we stay busy.

Basically what I'm gettin at is this, you'll never know till you try.
 
The ride along idea is a good one. I've seen alot of people come and go over 33 years. Its not for everyone. It is a career that you are basically married to, much more commitment than the average job. You really need to look before you leap. With that said, hell yea I'd do it again, can't see me doing anything else. :D
 
It is a rewarding career. Is Baltimore County a stable political entity, not prone to layoffs or political visisitudes?

Both my daughter and her husband are patrol officers with a mid size city and enjoy good pay, regular raises, solid benefits, and job security.

The down side is that shifts and hours are weird and assignments are hard to change.

Promotion can be slow and sporatic, depends on force levels and who retires/quits in many cases. Some divisions have a higher turn-over rate.

Many County Departments run the jails so that may be where you start. Academy class start dates also have an impact.

My next door neighbor just applied for and was accepted by my local Sheriff's Department.

He had to pass a battery of knowledge tests, pysch profie, even a lie detector test. They reviwed his background for criminal/civil infractions. Physical tests (push ups, sit ups, running, etc) were also administered.

He starts employment as a jailer and has to wait for an acedemy class start date then for an opening in patrol before he can leave the jail.

The Homeland Security Department in Washington has been making money available to some law enforcement agencies to gear up for expanded security roles. For example, we have a river that runs between the two cities and because of certain security needs, our Sheriff's Department now has a navy. With armed gunboats of different sizes. It is expected to grow. That translates into jobs, care and feeding of the boats, docks, shelters and so on. A real economic boost to the department.

Our facilities are new and first class, thanks to the generosity of the tax base.

If you have a stingy tax source, that will certainly impact quality and quantity of the department.

Good luck,
 
rayjay said:
The ride along idea is a good one. I've seen alot of people come and go over 33 years. Its not for everyone. It is a career that you are basically married to, much more commitment than the average job. You really need to look before you leap. With that said, hell yea I'd do it again, can't see me doing anything else. :D
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+1!

Lots of good info here.

I've doing this for about 13 years now. This job, like everything, is what you make it. Best advise is, if your serious about this, act like your a cop now. Meaning, do not hang around people with questionable character, watch your driving habits, go to work - do no call sick unless you really are....etc

Check out the Donut Shop at SVTperformance.com. This question comes up all the time. Lots of LEO perspectives there.

I have to get to work, more later...;)
 
My Grandfather was a Cpt. in Baltimore County PD, My Uncle Ted( married my Grandmothers Sister Mary) was also. The both died of heart attacks, Grandda on the job when I was 5, Uncle Ted on his sofa after calling in to be late. My Cousin Ron was there too, but lost the use of a hand in a lockup incident at the jail and had to leave after 5-6 years.

Yep...... I sell Security Systems..... it's safer.
 
O's Fan Rich said:
My Grandfather was a Cpt. in Baltimore County PD, My Uncle Ted( married my Grandmothers Sister Mary) was also. The both died of heart attacks, Grandda on the job when I was 5, Uncle Ted on his sofa after calling in to be late. My Cousin Ron was there too, but lost the use of a hand in a lockup incident at the jail and had to leave after 5-6 years.

Yep...... I sell Security Systems..... it's safer.
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Good point. I've been layed up for 7 weeks now due to a on the job injury. I also have a couple of the "traditional" illnesses associated with the job. The job is also tough on relationships. Many women/men do not have what it takes to be a spouse of a LEO. Took me three times to find one that does.
 
I've done all the ride alongs with several different counties and MSP. Luckily every time I was out there was always some crazy things going on so it was good exposure. I've also helpping out with DUI enforcement over the past 3 years.

Honestly I'll really like to go MSP but not trying to do their training aka boot camp right now but the prestige and honor would mean more to me. Maybe I'll start off BACO then slide over to MSP.
 
Or....we can always welcome you with open arms here in Texas if you choose to stay in the field you are currently in....
 
ctrlraven said:
Honestly I'll really like to go MSP but not trying to do their training aka boot camp right now but the prestige and honor would mean more to me. Maybe I'll start off BACO then slide over to MSP.
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You need to check on the training requirements. There is no transfer in option in NYS for the troopers. You must know how to make a bed correctly. Even some municipal/county agencies will not accept transfers. You have to attend their academy, again. This is basically BS as there is a set of standards that all academies must meet. Of course MD may be totally different than NY.
 
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