State Police vs City Police

[slice_king]

Hey There,
This is my first post on here, I read these forums all the time and all the information that is shared here is great. What I had a question on was the major differences in employment with State Police and City Police. Im a 21 yr old veteran living in southern Indiana, i have almost 2 years college and am looking to get into LE. I feel like i would prefer employment with a bigger city, but am new to all this and was just wanting to know what you guys in both types of departments think? Also, is 21 too young? I know thats how old you have to be everywhere, but do most depts prefer older candidates? Thanks guys

[off149]

It's late and I'm tired, but here goes. You are obviously old enough by law, and as long as you are a mature person, and have the background to prove it, it shouldn't be a problem.
Bigger departments typically offer much more opportunity in the way of special departments (i.e. drug, robbery, traffic task forces). They tend to pay a little less and have less benefits, but most are still competetive. Look at the big department this way. You get the opportunity to deal with more serious crime and you get a much higher call volume. Both of those equal more experience, which is priceless.
Smaller departments are basically just the opposite. Many serve wealthy communities and subsequently pay more, have better equipment (cars with all the bells and whistles), and they CAN be a less stressful environment in which to work. However, being a small town officer (pop. around 25,000/ 39 officers) myself, I would discourage it. Small towns/departments do tend to be boring, and everyone with the slightest complaint goes straight to the chief or city counsel, whomever they happen to know. And believe me, eveyone knows one or the other, or they know someone who does. Typical small town stuff.
Bottom line, most smaller departments jump at the chance to snatch up a big city cop. There isn't much a smaller town could throw at them that they couldn't handle in their sleep. IMHO- get experience in a large city/department and go smaller later in your career if you tire of doing real police work. I don't sound bitter, do I?

[slice_king]

Thanks, thats what im looking for, i appreciate it

[ChiTownDet]

I believe Indianapolis PD is being "absorbed" into the County Sheriff's Dept. and it would end up being a "Metro Police Dept." Kind of the best of both worlds, but I don't think a lot of Indy P/O's are too happy about this move..Would pay to check into it, though.

[SW Indiana]

Slice King, I am also from southern Indiana and I chose the state police as my agency of preference. I am 27 and this is my first shot at trying to get on with a police department. I've received a conditional offer of employment and I go for my PAT and medical/psych review on Tuesday, December 5th.

Many people have asked me why I chose to start with the state rather than getting on with a smaller, local PD. Well, the reasons are similar to what off149 mentioned.

I didn't want to work for a smaller PD because of the crap the officers have to put up with. By this I mean the "I know the chief, mayor, etc, etc." The call volume is very low and makes for mostly boring shifts and in general, you are confined to a small patrol area. And unless the town/city is an upscale one or has the money, the pay is low. The starting pay in the city where I live is the mid to upper 20's. The county is much the same.

As for not choosing to move to a larger city such as Evansville, Indy or Bloomington, I did not want to leave this area for good, so to speak. Even though the state police will more than likely require me to leave, that will be short lived in. In most cases, I can be back here in 2 years or less.

As for the state police, you have a much larger patrol area, frequency of calls is larger and the pay is decent. First year probationary troopers start at $37,600 or so with current top out around $48k. There is rumor that the top pay for troopers will be increased to around $60k this upcoming legislative session. Show your stuff and get promoted to the ranks and you can easily be making over $60k at the current pay scale. Much more than that if the raises go through.

You also get a take home car with liberal off duty uses. Of course, you will still have to deal with politics, but not like working in a small town. State boys could care less if you know the mayor or chief.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.