Departments around Cincy?

[Red42]

Hello, I'm new to the board and was wondering if anyone could share any information and opinions about departments around the Cincinnati area. Sorry the question is so vague, but I'm mostly just curious as to which departments are the best in the area. Also was wondering which ones are toughest to get on with. I hear good things about Hamilton, Fairfield, and BCSO but thats pretty much all I know.

I'm curious because I plan on submitting aplications after getting my degree.

Thanks for any responses.

[roadkingcop28]

Red,
From the looks of your post, it appears that you are interested in Butler county agencies (if I'm off, let me know). I live in Butler, and have some, albeit limited, knowledge of the agencies you mentioned. BCSO is a good agency from what I've heard; I actually applied a LONG time ago and found out you will start in Corrections and then can apply to go through the Sheriff's academy and eventually try for patrol after some time in the jail. A deputy lives a few houses down from me, and he went that exact route to get to patrol. Hamilton is decent, agency has had it's issues, but overall pretty good. They will hire you and send you to the academy, although I really have no idea how competitive it is (although, based on this area, I would guess it is pretty competitive). Fairfield is another good agency that I tested with many years ago, and it was hard as all get out to get hired then (9+ years ago). A friend of a friend tested with them more recently, and although he was in the top 5 of the cert list, the chief went all the way to the number 25 candidate before he hired, because that guy was the first CERTIFIED candidate in the list. Their pay is really well, but the hiring, from what I've seen, is generally 1-2 at best (I think the most they ever hired was like 9 back in 2000). Moral of all this rambling; be prepared to spend alot of time and money to try and get in. Personally, I'd go with BCSO or HCSO and start out in the jail, then hopefully you could get certified and move on to bigger and better things down the road. I'm in Federal LE and glad; I don't have to compete with the general public for local FLE jobs (I only apply to jobs open to current federal employees). Good luck in your search.

Keep on rollin',
RKC

[Red42]

Thanks for the great info!

Yes I have grown up here in Butler County. It will probably shoot for Hamilton, of BCSO. From what I hear, HCSO is a good agency and all but I've heard that it is really tough to get into patrol. I heard it works like this, the CO's who get promoted to patrol are the ones who go in and work hard, and do a great job on things. The catch is, if you are TOO much of a good CO, then all the corrections brass will want to keep you and not allow you to move up to patrol. I heard this all second hand so it may not be true, but it certainly sounds like a tough situation.

PS I didn't know we had federal LE right here in BC may I ask what agency?

[roadkingcop28]

Red,
That's about right for HCSO. I've also heard from individuals who work and/or worked there that it can be an incredibly political office. In NYPD terms, if you don't have a good "hook" you can forget about moving into better assignments.

Sure you can ask. And I work in Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky; I live in Butler Co. I'm with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs PD.

Keep on rollin',
RKC

[DA846]

I worked in the Hamilton County area for six years. If you don't want to work at an SO, there are many great communities to look at. Montgomery, Blue Ash, Maderia, Indian Hill, Fairfax. These cities are pretty finacially secure, so that equates to good equipment, budgets for training, and good salaries. You would be at or above 50K a year after three years, with lots of details should you want more.

[Jumper]

I worked in the Hamilton County area for six years. If you don't want to work at an SO, there are many great communities to look at. Montgomery, Blue Ash, Maderia, Indian Hill, Fairfax. These cities are pretty finacially secure, so that equates to good equipment, budgets for training, and good salaries. You would be at or above 50K a year after three years, with lots of details should you want more.


Blue Ash is giving their examination, I beleive, end of this month, maybe in early Feb. Can't remember. They're a great unit.

[Red42]

Anybody have any experience with West Chester PD? I was thinking about trying to get an internship there.

[roadkingcop28]

Red,
I applied with them several years ago when they were still a township PD (Union Township, to be exact). Good agency back then; I made the eligibility list but never got offered a job. From what I've heard now, they are even better than before: good pay, equipment, good morale, etc. They appear to be a popular destination for currently certified officers (i.e. Cincinnati PD). Take the internship if you get it; it could definently help with possibly getting a position down the road.

Keep on rollin',
RKC

[CincyCop]

Anybody have any experience with West Chester PD? I was thinking about trying to get an internship there.

Great department and growing (hiring). I interviewed with them prior to getting on with Cincinnati but did not get hired.

[scooterlee]

If your looking for money, I'd stick to the Hamilton County depts. It seems that once you go north of the 275 loop, the money starts to decline. I have several friends who work at West Chester, and they enjoy it, they are just bored! Chasing Auto Accidents and alarm drops gets old.

Good luck!

[grumpyjoe]

I have worked for the HCSO for 16 years now. Like most of us, started in the jail and had a great time there. In the Court Services Division for the past 11 years and like it even better. Mon thru Fri 0700 to 1500. Off weekends and holidays. And still work off duty details. I learned alot in the jail. How to handle people, talk to "code 9s" and self defence. You can make it to the road or Court Services as long as you do your job and try not to call in sick. It is political in this dept. Just like every where else. Cant get around that part. Just do your job and go see the Sheriff every year on your ann. and tell him where you want to go in HIS dept. If you can keep your name around him in a positive way you will go places.

As far as other dept. There are some good ones as well as bad. Im not going to start a list of them but you can pretty much tell just by looking at the cops working there.

The above will also work in the BCSO. The brass in corrections will not keep you if the Sherriff wants you on the road. The Sheriff always gets what he wants. Atleast thats how it works down here.

[Red42]

Great advice. Thanks alot! So is it a common thing for corrections officers to go see the sheriff on their ann. or is that just a suggestion? I've never heard of that but it sounds like a great idea.

[grumpyjoe]

Its common for the guys who made it out to the road or to C/S.