Bay Area LE jobs drying up?

[HSK]

So I applied to SFPD back on 9/11/2007. I completed the entire application process for SFPD in Mar 2008 and have been in the Hiring Pool ever since. Spoke to my BI a few weeks ago and he said that due to the budget cuts, he doesn't know if I will make it to an academy class before my list expires (October 2009). He was hoping I would have made it to the May or June 2009 classes, but said that they will most likely be cancelled because of the budget cuts, and that the number of classes for the next fiscal year (if any) are in question also.

He recommended that I start looking elsewhere as a back-up in case things don't work out with SFPD. I did just that and I went and took the written and physical again for SBRTC in order to apply to agencies along the peninsula, east bay, and south bay. Unfortunately, by the time I recieved my letter confirming I had passed the entrance exams, the majority of agencies now hiring along the peninsula and east bay have all closed up. At the moment it doesn't look promising. Additionally, my eligibility list with SF is about to expire. I am not sure how much more worse things can get.

I was born and raised in SF so I know the city and the Bay Area well. I'd really like to work in LE here if possible, but right now it seems really bad. Just wondering if anyone is in the same boat?

Additionally, I was wondering if anyone knows if eligibility lists are ever extended for those applicants who have been cleared for hire and have made it to the hiring pool? I was told that this happened once for SFPD back in 2005, but so far no word yet on whether or not the current eligibility lists (the ones that are about to expire) will be given extensions. Does anyone here know how civil service rules would apply in this situation?

Anyhow, best of luck to everyone hunting for LE jobs right now.

[08duramax]

Hiring looks bad everywhere. If you have to stay in the bay area then tough it out. If not just search the internet for openings and apply everywhere. You can always lateral later.

[HSK]

Unfortunately, leaving the bay area is out of the question for me at the moment. There are many things in my life that are currently anchoring me to the bay area and uprooting would cause too many problems and would only worsen my current situation. I guess I will have to just ride out this storm.

[Webfur]

Oakland PD is for sure hiring,
Santa Cruz County SO is hiring.
Morgan Hill PD is hiring from the look of their webpage,
Nevada County Sheriff is hiring
Marin city is currently hiring I believe.

that's the list from the top of my head.

[ten08]

Federal Hiring seems uneffected, try US Park Police, the Mint, the VA Hospital or FPS, all have uniformed officers.

[0341]

Federal Hiring seems uneffected, try US Park Police, the Mint, the VA Hospital or FPS, all have uniformed officers.

Don't forget the age limitations on those. He may be too old...I know I am.

[140grad]

Check out http://www.calopps.org. It's a great hiring resource for a lot of agencies in the Bay Area and beyond.

[HSK]

I looked into OPD, but the recruiting site says they are not currently testing. Santa Cruz and Nevada County are a bit too far for me at the moment as I have obligations that require me to stay in the immediate SF Bay Area. Morgan Hill is a bit too far away as well. I will look into San Rafael PD, Marin County SO, and Marin City also.

I was hoping to find something along the peninsula, east bay, or southbay. These are some cities that I wanted to apply to and the current status based on either calopps.org or their own recruiting websites:

San Francisco - Closed (no scheduled testing events)
SFSD - Closed
Daly City - Closed
Pacifica - Lateral/Academy Grad
South SF - Closed
San Bruno - Closed
San Mateo - Closed
San Mateo SO - Closed
Redwood City - Closed
Palo Alto - Closed
East Palo Alto - Closed
Oakland - Closed (no scheduled testing events)
Union City - Lateral/Academy Grad
Santa Clara SO - Still hiring (for now at least)
Santa Clara - Closed
San Jose - Closed (no scheduled testing events)
Los Gatos - Lateral

[HSK]

Age is not an issue for me, as I am in the middle to higher end of the average age range of applicants for LE. I thought about going Fed, but my obligations prohibit me from leaving the bay area for the next few years. From what I can tell, the majority of Fed agencies train in Virginia so that would be out of the question for me. I was gonna do CHP, but my buddy who is testing for them told me that I would have to train in Sac and that there is no guarantee that I would be allowed to stay in the Bay Area if I graduated from the academy.

As it currently stands, the pickings are very slim, at least for my particular situation. I guess I will start looking into cities across the GGB. Thanks again for the replies so far. Again, best of luck to all who are in the process. I am sure we are all facing an uphill battle at the moment with regards to getting picked up by an agency.

[Ninja1234]

Richmond PD is but they only test and certain times during the year. Their last testing block was at the end of Feb.

[ten08]

Don't forget the age limitations on those. He may be too old...I know I am.

Park Police is probably the only one of those that has an age restriction

[HSK]

Richmond PD is but they only test and certain times during the year. Their last testing block was at the end of Feb.

Thanks for the reminder about richmond. I will look into their next testing block. From what I hear, there are only a limited number of spots left for richmond. The same goes for any local agency that is still hiring.

[0341]

Park Police is probably the only one of those that has an age restriction

I just threw it out there since most Fed LE agencies require applicants to be between 35-37 prior to applying (unless applicant has prior civil LE experience).

[Ninja1234]

Thanks for the reminder about richmond. I will look into their next testing block. From what I hear, there are only a limited number of spots left for richmond. The same goes for any local agency that is still hiring.

Yeah some people say that, others say that they are not impacted because of the Chevron refineries in that city. I dont know who to believe. Some people say they are looking to hire 8, others say they are hiring 40. Its to much he said, she said. I am in the process with them and have done a ride along.

[Showboat]

Age is not an issue for me, as I am in the middle to higher end of the average age range of applicants for LE. I thought about going Fed, but my obligations prohibit me from leaving the bay area for the next few years. From what I can tell, the majority of Fed agencies train in Virginia so that would be out of the question for me. I was gonna do CHP, but my buddy who is testing for them told me that I would have to train in Sac and that there is no guarantee that I would be allowed to stay in the Bay Area if I graduated from the academy.

As it currently stands, the pickings are very slim, at least for my particular situation. I guess I will start looking into cities across the GGB. Thanks again for the replies so far. Again, best of luck to all who are in the process. I am sure we are all facing an uphill battle at the moment with regards to getting picked up by an agency.

In regards to the CHP, yes you will have to train in West Sacramento for 27 weeks, but you may be able to return to the Bay Area upon graduation. First, there is a specific formula for determining what place cadets are in line to choose their office; your situation might put you on the top of the list. Also, about 1/3 of all graduates go to the Bay Area. Call a recruiter.

[HSK]

Thanks for the info showboat. Do you know this for a fact? Either way though, I will call a recruiter this week to see what my chances are for coming back to the bay area if I graduate from their academy.

[ateamer]

Santa Cruz County SO is hiring.

No, it is not. Vacant positions are frozen.

[fedny]

Only US Park has the age restriction at 37 due to the forced retirement at 57. They should be giving an exam soon and are hiring like crazy for a change. Most officers start in DC, but when they offered the last transfer to San Fran no one took it, which means the recruits will get the offer.

[ten08]

Only US Park has the age restriction at 37 due to the forced retirement at 57. They should be giving an exam soon and are hiring like crazy for a change. Most officers start in DC, but when they offered the last transfer to San Fran no one took it, which means the recruits will get the offer.

That's amazing. At San Francisco they can live on the Presidio for half of what anyone else would pay for an apartment looking at the Ocean. I'd be there in a minute.

[Webfur]

No, it is not. Vacant positions are frozen.

Thanks for informing me, I could now look at other depts.
*sigh*

[HSK]

By the way, just to get back to my question about expiration of eligibility lists, has anyone here ever been on an eligibility list that eventually expired? Or do most eligibility lists get extensions especially during times like these? Any info or experiences shared would be greatly appreciated.

[65817]

From what I've heard, the following Bay Area/East Bay agencies are currently hiring:

-BART PD
-San Pablo PD
-Martinez PD
-Marin County SO
-Walnut Creek PD
-Richmond PD
-Pinole PD
-Moraga PD

With that said, CoCo SO is potentially going to layoff 70 Deputies due to budget issues, and many of them have applied to some of the above listed agencies. There are plenty of LEO jobs available locally, but with so many current LEOs looking into the possibility of lateralling due to potential layoffs, I suspect pre-service applicants will have a hard time finding work.

Good luck with your search.

[IronBruin]

From what I've heard, the following Bay Area/East Bay agencies are currently hiring:

-BART PD
-San Pablo PD
-Martinez PD
-Marin County SO
-Walnut Creek PD
-Richmond PD
-Pinole PD
-Moraga PD

With that said, CoCo SO is potentially going to layoff 70 Deputies due to budget issues, and many of them have applied to some of the above listed agencies. There are plenty of LEO jobs available locally, but with so many current LEOs looking into the possibility of lateralling due to potential layoffs, I suspect pre-service applicants will have a hard time finding work.

Good luck with your search.

My best friend works for CoCo, if they do end up laying off that many deputies he will definitely be out of a job.:mad:

[HSK]

I do beleive that the rush of laterals from downsizing agencies will eat up a good portion of the available LE job openings making it that much more competitive for those looking to enter the business.

[MrMM84]

Martinez Police just posted an employement ad for Police Officer last week on the craigslist website.

[ten08]

I just threw it out there since most Fed LE agencies require applicants to be between 35-37 prior to applying (unless applicant has prior civil LE experience).

The Veterans Administration, the Mint, and FPS are not on the LE retirement system so those age restrictions don't apply. That worked out for me, I bought back ten years of Military time and retired at 53.

[IronBruin]

Martinez Police just posted an employement ad for Police Officer last week on the craigslist website.

I'm pretty sure they are only looking for academy grads and laterals.

[0341]

The Veterans Administration, the Mint, and FPS are not on the LE retirement system so those age restrictions don't apply. That worked out for me, I bought back ten years of Military time and retired at 53.

Good to hear. I'm currently applying with agencies that utilize CalPERS 3%@50 plans. I know that I can buy back up to four years of my military service, but I've never heard of anyone buying back more than that. You bought back ten? That must have cost a fair amount, but if you live until you're ~77 then that gives you a lot of time to enjoy the pension!

[concon02]

Maybe check Emeryville or Berkeley?