To anyone willing to offer advice

[JAKE4783]

I did do a search, just so you guys know, but I did not really find anything that really hit the nail on the head regarding my question.

I currently reside in Southern California and am looking into agencies in different states. Currently I am considering NYPD, minly becuase of how interested I am, the challange I want, and apparently they have received a pay raise. Soooooo, just two questions.

1. How much sense does it make to consider moving out there and working towards a career as a LEO in the NYPD? On top of that, actually doing it?

2. The pay raises they have just been given, how much are those going to be honored? The city is not going to just yank those away pretty soon are they?

My desire stems from how incredibly drawn I am to being a LEO in the NYPD. I visited NY rcently, and another time years ago, and I was just so fixated on the PD.

Just a little BG: I am 20 years old, will be 21 in October. I am wrapping up my AA soon, and will eventually grab a bachelores along the road. My dad is a LEO here in CA, and I have always wanted to be one. Currently I work in the jail and have been doing that for a little while. Again, I am looking into NY for many, MANY reasons. I will explain in more detail if someone desires I do so, however I want to keep this short so as to not be an annoyance.

[gbotj]

Well, you can fly here and take the test. Soonest possible time you could get on with NYPD is Jan 2010.

For Jan 2010, I'd suggest taking the test sometime in early 2009 ( I think there is one in february 2009) and you will start the process around August/September 2009 and wrap it up by November 2009. Jan 2010 is going to be a VERY competitve class, the guys who were scheduled to go into the Jan 2009 and July 2009 classes will be in the Jan 2010 class.

Since you are looking at 1 years wait, I suggest taking PD tests in CA. Go for LASD, LAPD, Long Beach PD, LA Port Police, SFPD, SDPD, etc. Take them all, do the process and hopefully get hired with one of them. Depending on how things work out there is a strong possibility you will not want to leave for NYPD. Right now times are very tough in NY. NYPD originally cancelled its Jan 2009 class of 1000 recruits, then cut the July 2009 class from 2000 recruits to 500 recruits and just a few days ago changed it to 250 recruits each.

Its going to be a long journey but its been done. Good luck with what you decide.

[2971511]

Having worked in NYPD and LEFT, I can tell you it has a lot of dedicated officers, However, the Mayor, Rudy first, then Mike B, have ruined that Dept. It isa a place mired in paperwork and not really interested in doing police work. not to mention that the PAY SUCKS even with the "raise" I would highly suggest that you stay in CA and try to get on a dept there. CA has some GREAT depts. and seems to be on the cutting edge of LE Technology, the same can not be said about NYPD. This is my opionion having worked there in the 80's and 90's ....

20-25-30 years ago it WAS a GREAT JOB..... there a a TON of NYPD guys and girls. leaving EVERYDAY....

[UpstateNYPD]

I also worked in the NYPD and left. It can be fun, but a lot depends on your command, tour, bosses, borough, etc. Even with the pay raise, they are still way behind nearby agencies. Also, as mentioned above, there is a lot of paperwork, and they are really behind the times on technology. And they waste so many manhours doing jobs that could be done by civilians or other agencies, like vouchering, answering phones, transporting prisoners, sitting on hospitalized prisoners, fingerprinting and photographing prisoners, delivering mail.
Also, if you want to collar up a lot, you will get criticized, and if you don't collar that much, you will still have people on your case. In my current department, we have great relations with other departments, and computers, radios, and shotguns in every car, unlike the NYPD. And you can do as much or as little as you want and noone will give you a hard time. Also, as mentioned above, it will be harder to get on the job in NYC, so my advice to everyone is to take as many tests as you can, you're bound to pass some of them. Good luck.

[NYPD13]

1. How much sense does it make to consider moving out there and working towards a career as a LEO in the NYPD? On top of that, actually doing it?

I wouldn't move out to NY until you find out more information and find a job other then NYPD if you move into the city or other boroughs because

A. There is a back log of candidates and the wait to be hired can range from a year to two and a half years or maybe more. If you haven't heard there only letting 250 recruits in the academy for jan and july and there's thousands ahead of you.

B. You have to establish residency in order to be hired and NYPD gives you a few days notice before you head to the academy. And also get your NY Drivers License.

Getting a job in the city is hard now a days. If your parents help you on the rent then it can be done, but you will be living in a crappy neighborhood and other expenses that you have to pay out. Your looking at jobs that don't pay to well. NYPD is stuck back in the stoneages when it comes to processing applicants and technology that NYPD can't afford.

There's a program called QUEST where you stay in the city and take tests for like 4 days I think. You will have to call NYPD for more information.

2. The pay raises they have just been given, how much are those going to be honored? The city is not going to just yank those away pretty soon are they?

I think the contract expires 2010, so by the time you get on...it could go back to 25K or whatever the number might be depending on the economy.


If this is really what you want, you should go for it. It sounds like you want to join the NYPD, but a little hesitant on the little details. Start making friends on this forum. Anything is possible if you plan ahead.

[2971511]

I left and took an initial pay cut, but made it all back within about 12-18 months... I am now making over 100K per year... a buddy of mine just retired from NYPD after 21 years as a Sgt. He just hit 100k for the first time last year...... So, many depts. are WAY ahead of NYPD it is not even funny...

Even a lot of West coastr Depts. Start you with 50K a year or more.... why would you want to move 3,000 miles to start @ 40k ???????????

[John2008]

If I was you I would consider looking for LE agencies around the west coast area. The pay we get here in the city isn't that good for the cost of living, the training we get while in the academy isn't all that great tactics wise, the city is having budget problems, The city doesn't like us. A cop killer just got away with murder and only received 5-15yrs. There are a lot of great departments out west if I could move out west I would.

look into
LVMPD
CHP
LVNPD
LAPD
and so on.

NYC is overrated.

[nyballer31]

If you are a squared away individual I would suggest LVMPD they have a excellent reputation, excellent training facilities. I would stay away from the NYPD.Considering the NYPD will not be having very big classes in the near future, plus the fact you don't reside here yet there are better options. There are plenty of law enforcement jobs out there with better pay,better work schedule, better work enviroment.This is a hostile city to work for, people here don't like us,this is a city who will say your job is no more important then a sanitation worker and that all city employees are the same. Just recently there was an article where Bloomberg was talking about our pensions as a "golden parachute" and that our pensions need to be reformed and it will because Bloomberg hates us and he has public support on this because they think we have it great.

[nyc1219]

yea stay where you are, you will be better off.

[bxhousing]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I know guys who have worked in Vegas, Yuma, AZ, Florida, and California. If I was a little younger I would relocate in a second for the LVMPD gig. I understand the draw of NYPD... but I would really stay where you are, or look elsewhere. Out west law enforcement is so much more progressive. Even without all the budgetary issues above posters have brought up which will be hurdles to you getting on the job here, I would still say you can find a better paying gig, with a better quality of life out there.

[JAKE4783]

To everyone who supplied any advice, wisdom, or assistance in any way, I truly appreciate it. It means a lot to me when people take time out of their day to help myself or anyone else. Again, I appreciate everyones aid, and I hold the opinions and advice of both sworn and non-sworn individuals in the highest regard due to the level of life experience they bring to the table.

Sincerely,

Jacob S.

[The 'MAN']

Jake~~ As a side opinion, why leave all those California Girls in those bikinis and come to snowy NYC. Remember these words~~'The grass is always greener in the other guys yard'. You'd be leaving friends, family and some real great weather. Nope, don't make sense to me!

[CRS1]

Jake~~ As a side opinion, why leave all those California Girls in those bikinis and come to snowy NYC. Remember these words~~'The grass is always greener in the other guys yard'. You'd be leaving friends, family and some real great weather. Nope, don't make sense to me!

+1

Stay in Cali. Remeber, there are NO Palm trees here in NYC. The weather sucks and like other people have said, NYC is a hostile place and tooo dam expensive to live. I'm not an officer as of yet, but hope to become one in Westchester or NYC. I'm waiting from Westchester for my score. Put a lot of thought into your plans. You will be here in NYC with NO family when times are tough and it will be very tough without that face to face support from them.

I say follow your dreams, but make sure you look at your long term goals which I'm sure you can achive back in Cali. too.

Good Luck!!! ;)