St. Louis Metro

[Berlioz]

Hey guys, anybody work for St.Louis metro? Im thinking about applying, anybody know about the selection process and how long it takes, work environment, and any other good/bad about the department? Thanks.

[WILawman]

Good info by Pumpkin

There is a 7 year residency requirement--after you have been on the dept for that long you can move out of the city.

The schools suck. Let me say that again. The schools suck. They were in serious danger of losing their accreditation last year and the situation has not really improved this year (they threw money at the problem, but it doesn't seem to have done anything except cover up the underlying problems).

Crime is terribly underreported. With the underreported stats, St Louis was the second most dangerous city in the US. There is a huge gang, drug, and violence problem.

Mass transit isn't very good. Traffic, roads, and drivers are terrible. DWI penalties are lax.

Pollution is terrible.

The economy in Missouri isn't coming back like the rest of the country. Prices persist in going up, more people are getting laid off, and jobs are leaving.

St Louis is the most racist major city I have ever lived in. Some is in the open. A lot of it isn't.

St Louis has a very dead downtown (entertainment). However, they are working on that (lofts, bars, shops and restaurants from the in-the-works theater section to the Mississippi River).

St Louis has a very large, aggressive, politically active homeless population.

St. Louis has beautiful professional sports venues (Blues, Rams, and Cardinals). The Cards are moving into their new stadium this spring.

There are 5 casinos in the immediate area--3 more in the works (1 will replace a currently existing casino).

Attractions in Forest Park (zoo, planetarium, science center, art museum, history museum) are free. Parking for them is not, but you can get there by bus or light rail.

The botanical gardens are first-rate. Monsanto and some of the other plant sciences corporations have spent millions on it.

Anhauser Busch has tours with free samples at the end. :D :D :D

St Louis has major Mardi Gras and St Patrick's Day celebrations, including parades.

There are several good blues and jazz venues in the metro area.

St Louis is a rap center.

The symphony is about a 3rd or 4th tier quality.

There are lots of colleges and univerisities in the metro area. UMSL, SLU, Wash U, Concordia, Webster, Eden, Covenant, Columbia College, etc. It is relatively easy to get into graduate school.

There is a City Museum (free), the Arch, and Westward Expansion Museum downtown.

A lot of LE live clustered in a few parts of the city (enclaves in certain neighborhoods).

Missouri has lots of LE training opportunities. POST is actually quite reasonable about most things.

I never worked for the dept you are looking at, so cannot answer the rest of your question.

IMHO, if you are looking for a major city, pretty much anywhere else would be better, especially if you have or plan on having kids.

[Berlioz]

Interesting. I was looking at meeting the service contract req. than lateraling out. It seems like a rather easy dept to get into. Thanks for the info.

[locke1419]

St.Louis County is alot better if you are interested in this area. I also dont recommend the City police force for alot of different reasons but the biggest is the kid thing as well.

[Berlioz]

Any way you can elaborate? I dont think I could get on the county police force, due to my lack of experience. What is wrong with the city? For somebody who is seriously thinking about applying, any major issues you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[STLCPD]

You don't need experience to get hired by the county police. Plus unlike the city you can live anywhere in Missouri or Illinois!

[Berlioz]

I also dont have the required college yet. Im currently working on my AA, but its still a good year or so until Im done. Will the county reject if Im not totally finished with school by the hire date?

[STLCPD]

are you former military. If so then County will hire you without a college degree!