Economy and Law Enforcement

[davjon14]

Good evening to all,
As a newly hired Deputy Sheriff, less than a year on the department, the status of our economy particularily California has me wondering, will I have my pention, that hands down compensates for the bi-weekly pay checks I get or worst yet, a job in months to come?
I would like to just get a pulse on some of the LEO's that visit and whether or not they are aware of any down sizing in their departments?

[COJO2]

my union rep is telling me that for current LE employees with my dept that our retirement should be safe.

no downsizing has happened, but an academy class was just canceled 2 weeks in and there's no plan on a new one for a few months.

OT baby :)

[davjon14]

My dept. has not cancelled any academys at this point, which could change, however, they are putting less recruits into the academy classes.

[COJO2]

due to the economy i'm a little weary of changing departments, which is what i really want to do

i already have a few years with current dept. and don't know if i wanna gamble with that. i think i can leave and if things don't work out i have a year to reclaim my job with seniority.....

[Garbage Man]

due to the economy i'm a little weary of changing departments, which is what i really want to do

i already have a few years with current dept. and don't know if i wanna gamble with that. i think i can leave and if things don't work out i have a year to reclaim my job with seniority.....

But what if there is a hiring freeze at your current agency? I'd stay put frankly.

[COJO2]

But what if there is a hiring freeze at your current agency? I'd stay put frankly.

yea, i'm not topped out yet, so i'm not in a huge hurry.
i think while i'm waiting for things to normalize i'll finish my degree and get in the best shape i can

[beagle25]

Davjon I went for a ride along with your agency out of the Juropa station and the deputy said that you guys are well funded. Are you hearing differently? When I turned in my application this past Friday for RSO, the lady at personnel said that next academies are scheduled for December, March, and May.

[avaand]

Also, isn't your retirement in the CAL PERS system? If so, it's lumped together with 10's of thousands of employees across the state so it's stability shouldn't have anything to do with a particular dept. Don't know if that's a good or bad thing though... It's looking like the equity (stock) market has come close to bottoming out and the lions share of PERS is tied to this and the bond market so if you haven't heard anything yet, maybe you won't.

[pulicords]

Short of nuclear war or a successful, total overthrow of the government, CalPERS and other safety retirement programs should be safe. CalPERS has always had a very conservative investment policy and is the most secure pension system in the state (if not the country). It's greatest threats have come from liberal (read: Democrats) in the legislature who want to raid our funds for pet projects and conservatives (read: Republicans) who want to downgrade retirement benefits for new employees, thereby weakening the fund with less new money.

Ask yourself this: What would happen to public safety if there was no incentive for police and firefighters to do their job (ie: little or no pay and benefits)? Public safety employees (like myself) frequently enter this profession and forgo private sector opportunities because of the long term stability that public service offers.

Over the last 30+ years, I've remained in law enforcement during the "economic boom" times because I knew if times got tough, I'd still have my pay, benefits and a secure retirement after age 50. If those things weren't there, the job wouldn't have attracted me in the first place or kept me here through the long haul. If retired police officers and firefighters lost their pensions, you'd see a mass exodus by current employees. Why stay and fight for the government's survival, if it offers you nothing at the end?

Times may get tough, but no society can remain intact if they have no one to defend it physically. Should things get so bad that the state or federal government reneges on it's promise of pensions, we'd be living in the time of "Mad Max!"

[avalon42]

living in the time of "Mad Max!"

Every time some nut cuts me off CLOSE at high speeds, I almost expect to see him or her pop out of their sunroof with a rocket launcher or machine gun. :eek:

Gotta love SoCal.

[LAschoolCop]

Hiring freeze = Lots of OT!!!! :)

[COJO2]

Hiring freeze = Lots of OT!!!! :)

yea, i'm actually profiting from this bad economy in some ways

[SgtCHP]

Good evening to all,
As a newly hired Deputy Sheriff, less than a year on the department, the status of our economy particularily California has me wondering, will I have my pention, that hands down compensates for the bi-weekly pay checks I get or worst yet, a job in months to come?
I would like to just get a pulse on some of the LEO's that visit and whether or not they are aware of any down sizing in their departments?

Your agency's pension fund is undoutedly protected and insured so there should not be a problem for those who are currently recieving benefits. How the fund reacts to the current market is unknown, but it is conceivable that it can be revised to accomodate the future retirees. I believe you will have to be active in your PENSION fund for five years to be vested and eligible for benefits. Some funds are two years. Bottom line, you should not have to worry for another 19 years, and maybe not at all. CalPERS sent out a message that they are very solvent and able to address their needs for a great number of years to come.

CalPERS Stays the Course in Market Storm

The news in the financial markets can be alarming for our members, but it is important for you to know that the current credit crisis does not affect our ability to pay benefits. It is also important to note that your retirement benefits are protected by law. The pension system is designed to withstand market fluctuations. Learn more about how our investment officers manage your retirement assets during these shaky financial times.

http://www.calpers.ca.gov/

[davjon14]

As a leo in california, we are blessed with a pention, cal pers, when you and I giet to the point of retirement is the ultimate reward for public service and danger that we will are have experienced. However, can it be taken away? what are your thoughts?

[CHUCKnmnV]

Too bad Prop. 6 didn't pass.

[ownerop]

Too bad Prop. 6 didn't pass.


Where would the money come from? You have to look at the big picture here, everyone wants these bonds to pass everytime but who in the hell is going to pay for them. I'm glad it went down, our govt. needs to stop spending like drunken sailors and get the budget in order and stop spending money as if it will never stop coming. We put all the burden on the tax payers every election cycle and what happens? our politicians spend more and more and more. We need to get back to basics and cut spending on these programs when we don't have the money and stop asking the tax payer to fork out more money every election cycle; I'm tired of it.

[avalon42]

Where would the money come from? You have to look at the big picture here, everyone wants these bonds to pass everytime but who in the hell is going to pay for them. I'm glad it went down, our govt. needs to stop spending like drunken sailors and get the budget in order and stop spending money as if it will never stop coming. We put all the burden on the tax payers every election cycle and what happens? our politicians spend more and more and more. We need to get back to basics and cut spending on these programs when we don't have the money and stop asking the tax payer to fork out more money every election cycle; I'm tired of it.

Yup, that and California has one of the worst bond ratings EVER. I think they're a hard sell in this economy especially when California claimed a few weeks ago that it would go bankrupt without its credit line.

[ownerop]

Yup, that and California has one of the worst bond ratings EVER. I think they're a hard sell in this economy especially when California claimed a few weeks ago that it would go bankrupt without its credit line.

I didn't mention that part, we are close to junk status on the rating firms.

[nobodyjr]

We need to get back to basics and cut spending on these programs when we don't have the money and stop asking the tax payer to fork out more money every election cycle; I'm tired of it.

What programs are those? Prisons, schools, hospitals, roads? That's most of the state budget right there.

[Ninja1234]

Hell! At least most of the departments are still hiring in CA. Arizona is a complete joke. Most(if not all) are in a "hiring freeze!" Get me out of here LOL!!

[avalon42]

If things keep going the way they're going, I'm going to put in apps for my OTHER dream job...

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj49/Chrawk89/Chippendale20skit.jpg :p