looking for policing in south

[PA Parole]

I currently work as a county parole/probation officer in PA. I am seeking advice about looking for a sheriff/police job. I have 1 1/2 of experience at my current job and a master's degree. I also have some part-time experience with a sheriff's office. I was certified as a sheriff's deputy in PA.

I have heard that officers receive more respect from the legal system in some of the southern states. Is anyone in a position to compare?

I am looking for a good department to work for. I do not have a problem working in an urban setting for a few years, but I don't think I would want to do that for 25 yrs. I am seeking a department I could retire from. My current position reaches top salary in 4 years and has a horrible retirement plan.

I was considering VA. A large state such as VA would mean a lot of departments who would accept a certification if I needed to change departments. I have heard that the sheriff's offices in VA are the dominate agencies. From my research, it appears that many counties use the commonwealth retirement system. Perhaps this could mean lateral transfers with time towards retirement?

I was also giving some consideration to Montgomery County Police in MD.

Thank you for any input.

[Sgt. Friday]

I hope I might be able to help you some. Isn't the Sheriff's Office/Department in Pennsylvania a civil service process agency? In most of the southern states the Sheriff's Office/Department is a full law enforcement agency and included in their description they also serve civil process. So with your experience you may want to see if you can slide over with a lateral into a Sheriff's Office/Department. I don't think a Police Department would strongly consider your past experience (i'm sure someone maybe better able to speak on this matter them than I ).

Concerning your Masters degree (congrats). A Police Department would consider you more for your degree and pay you better than a Sheriff's Office/Department would be able to. Check with Charleston Police Department in South Carolina, Chief Greenburg if he is still there used to run a top notch department, you didn't even get to look at an application unless you had a degree and he made sure you got paid for it and use to take care of his people.

Watch out for the retirement programs in the southern states, some you can retire with 20 years plus and some you have to have 30 years. Some will let you buy time, others won't. Be careful before you jump into any one department before checking it out top to bottom.

Good luck in your search.

[PA Parole]

PA sheriff's are predominately civil process and prisoner transport. The department I worked for did general patrol for a federal park during the summer and some special events. PA sheriffs have full legal authority, but very little of it is used in actuality.

From the little I've been able to glean, it seems MT is about the only state interested in laterals. I have accepted the fact that wherever I go I will need to re-do a lot of training. Besides, there are always lessons to be learned no matter where ya look.

I'll take a look at Charleston. Thanks for the input!