Arlington (TX) PD???

[MemphisPD]

So, from the outside looking in it looks great. But, I'm old enough to know that looks can be deceiving. I have been on in Memphis almost 5 years and have my CJ degree. I have kept my nose clean here and made a pretty good name for myself. So, I'm sick of the incompetence, the thugs everywhere, and the administration's inadequate solutions (in which the newest is lowering the hiring standards, dropping education requirements)

What's the moral like there?
How technological advanced are they? (we use PDA's for reports and arrest tickets and to run anything)
What r the shifts like, are they swing, what are the hours?
Whats the best/worst things about the department and city.

I'm ready to make this move I just want a peek before I jump. Thanks guys.

[ithrow95]

ronnie coleman is a cop there. hes mr olympia. they let him get away with his steroid and gh abuse so i cant imagine theyre too strict

[MemphisPD]

haha I thought he was a San Antonio officer. I hope he's my partner.

[NSAPoland]

First Ronnie Coleman is a RESERVE Officer here, he rarely serves.

Arlington is absolutely the most proffestional police department in the DFW area. Fantastic officers and no dumb ones, due to their BA requirement. No thugs in Arlington PD. I know one deputy chief and just talked to another one today that heads the IA division, he has very few complaints about officers. They say the educated ones moslty know how to deal with people. Moral is very high, I never hear complaints from any of the officers, only good things. The technology is ok, they are getting impalas now and have computers in all the cars. Reports are done over the phone from the police car. 3 Shifts 8 hours each, the basic setup. Arlington is a great city to be a cop. In south arlington you have your basic low crime neighborhood, suburbia. Its located between dallas and ft. worth, about 30 minutes to both. Also if you like to get after it East and North district are always hopping with activity. Shootings in progress and the "fun stuff". Plus you got a good entertainment area, Dallas Cowboys (soon to come) Texas Rangers, Six Flags at Arlington. Also University of Texas at Arlington is here. Arlington PD is recruiting hardcore right now, due to the Dallas Cowboy traffic coming in. About 6 out of 100 applicants get hired. 3 academies a year. about 100 cadets a year.


352,600 Population
8.5 Million visitors per year
100 Square Miles in Area
439,262 9-1-1 calls
206,166 PD calls for service some days over 1000 on Police side
(the rest were EMS or Fire)
589 Sworn Police Officers
175 Civilian Staff
3rd largest city in North Texas
54th largest city in US
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evening Shift
7-10 call takers on with 2 of those working power shifts (18:30-02:30 and 10:30-18:30)
4 dispatchers, 1 for each of 3 sides of town and 1 relief person
2 CIC operators (NCIC, information channel) recent dept study showed that there is a need for more personnel in CIC and PD Dispatch....however budget says differently!
3 Fire Dispatchers (one of which is relief in fire for breaks but is in call take while not relieving someone.)
2 EMS Dispatchers (not employed by the city-have contract w/ambulance service)
2-3 Supervisors

Old Stats, more of everything by now.



If you got anything ask away.

[MemphisPD]

Man, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. That sounds like what I am wanting exactly. I feel as if I have a good chance at the job due to my education, experience and references. I noticed the academy is 26 weeks, do they have a lateral program? I really don't want to do another academy, but if I had to I would. It's either this or go Federal for me. I am still on the fence. I hear so much about federal jobs both good and bad.

How is court paid out? We go and we can choose to take either 4 hours of pay or 6 hours of time regardless of how long we are there. Unless we take pay and we are there for over 4 hours, then we get that. I'm sure courts in Memphis are much busier than courts in Arlington (which is a good thing). We are 2nd in the nation in violent crime per the UCR so far this year. It leads to exciting nights at work, but I'm tired of having partners who can barely read. The grammar and writing is atrocious here. I could never be a sergeant (detectives here) and try to start an investigation with some of the reports that are written out in the field. It's a joke. I have several saved on my PDA from other officers and it would simply amaze you.

How is the system for moving from shift to shift and precinct to precinct. Ours is strictly objective and is based on time on and nothing else. It takes 8-10 years to get on days, 15-20 years to get on the K-9 unit. Some of the better precincts it takes 10 years to get on the midnight shift.

I really appreciate your input. If there is anything else that you can add that would be great. I'm so excited I can't think of any questions right now lol.

[NSAPoland]

NO lateral program for academy, you do academy and fto like everyone else. I dont know about the court thing. And the moving system i think is what you described, also for higher positions you need a masters and chief, a doctorate.

Another department you should look at is Plano, most sought after place to work in Texas, i belive. Best equipped, highest paid, excellent city...far better then arlington. Plus their cars are actually black and white :) ..I dont know google it, im applying for detention officer there, very competative.

[ithrow95]

heres a clip with ronnie. looks like a nice place
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgE3zd9rocA

[NOLAPIG]

APD obviously doesnt test their officers, reserve or full time, for anabolics. Can the department be that naive?

[ithrow95]

its not illegal when a doctor prescribes it for you

[NOLAPIG]

its not illegal when a doctor prescribes it for you


He really looks like an individual diagnosed with hypogonadism :rolleyes:

[MemphisPD]

So, how's their academy? The physical agility test looks extremely easy.

[NSAPoland]

Yea, their entrance is easy. If they required a BA and you had to be in shape AND they had to diversify.....no one would apply, there wouldn't be any candidates. But they run them hard in the academy. I hung out with one of the guys, and he was voted best in shape at the end, and he was **** tired everyday too so...

But once your in, your in. Just try your hardest in academy pt.