Job hunting and need a few recommendations...

[avalon42]

I'm a college student and work part-time at my university police dept as a non-sworn student worker. I am going to apply for the agency that I am with right now, but open to multiple options for a better chance of getting hired/sponsored to go through the academy...

Reason why I am putting my education on a temporary hiatus: my girlfriend and I are turning serious, and I need to get a full-time job with benefits to be a good provider and help her with her bills (and start knocking down some of those college loans! :eek:)

Places where I'm thinking of applying:

Riverside County Sheriffs
Oceanside PD
San Diego PD (heard they are hurting really, really bad to fill their vacancies)
Escondido PD

Basically, I'm looking for an expedited hiring process (3-6 months, not a year).

Any input most appreciated.

[geek4life]

Get your degree first.

[CalPolyGrad]

Get your degree first.

I agree. You should focus on school.

[avalon42]

geek4life, thank you for your input. I know I need to finish college, but I think home life takes priority in this case. I know it might look like a negative not having my Bachelors, but I did get my Associates degree.

I have a total of 90 college units, only need 30 more (all major coursework) for a Bachelors in CJA.

Namely, I am asking for input on those depts that I asked about.

[CalPolyGrad]

From looking online at each department, I don't think any of those departments have an expedited process for police recruit. Why did you pick RSO when all the other departments are near san diego? At least if you get hired by oceanside, escondido, or SD. You can still finish your degree on your days off?

[avalon42]

From looking online at each department, I don't think any of those departments have an expedited process for police recruit. Why did you pick RSO when all the other departments are near san diego? At least if you get hired by oceanside, escondido, or SD. You can still finish your degree on your days off?

I have heard that San Diego PD has stepped up their process to make up for the mass lateraling that they are experiencing.

I picked RSO because the furthest substation they have is Murrieta/Temecula (which REALLY CLOSE to the Riverside/San Diego county line).

I can finish my degree if I work 4/10, 3/12, thats not a problem. It will take me longer, but I can do it.

I am asking for input from LEOs because people employed in agencies "talk". I haven't heard much on those agencies and was looking if anyone heard anything from them.

If anyone is uncomfortable posting, by all means, PM please.

[sotzo]

Finish school.... life is alot easier when you dont have to go back later to get the BA... depending on your other life experiences you may still be able to get a job with those agencies, but I'd rather be applying with my BA than without... you can always work and go to school....

[CHUCKnmnV]

Get your degree! You'll get more money and have better chances of promoting. I wish I took advantage before I married. Hey, if your lady is that serious, she'll understand that school is important.

[syphon157]

You are so close to you BA/BS. Just do 2 more semesters and get it done. You will thank yourself later!

[UScanuck]

I'm curious as to what kind of bills you're helping her out with. And, how did she get herself into a position where she needs help with them? If they are credit card bills, you need to reexamine your relationship with her. Helping her pay off bills that SHE racked up isn't really helping her, is it? It only reinforces the idea that hey...I can spend and if I can't afford it, my bf here will help.

I've seen friends go through this and it NEVER ends up pretty. And please don't say it won't happen to you because thats what they said.

[IE Copper]

I'm sure there is a different website for that type of advise. He would have went to it if he wanted that advise.

[avalon42]

I'm curious as to what kind of bills you're helping her out with. And, how did she get herself into a position where she needs help with them? If they are credit card bills, you need to reexamine your relationship with her. Helping her pay off bills that SHE racked up isn't really helping her, is it? It only reinforces the idea that hey...I can spend and if I can't afford it, my bf here will help.

I've seen friends go through this and it NEVER ends up pretty. And please don't say it won't happen to you because thats what they said.

I know you mean well, so I'll approach it from that perspective...

...she can't make her mortgage payments and has slowly been sinking in credit. I've been investing my time studying/going to school for about a year trying to finish a Bachelors degree. I haven't been able to help her out for that time and it really took its toll. When I was contributing, she was doing ok. She has made a lot of sacrifices for me, I have for her. But it comes down to me taking responsibility as head of the household.

I've started to look at the UCs/CSUs police job opportunities because I heard they get some of their educational units free.

[1oldsarge]

Riverside S/O has many openings, but I don't know how long the process is. The process should be faster with a smaller agency.

[IE Copper]

Don't go to a UC/CSU just because of the educational assistance, more so for you because you are so close to finishing. You need to find a place that will work for you for the next 30 years.

[avalon42]

Don't go to a UC/CSU just because of the educational assistance, more so for you because you are so close to finishing. You need to find a place that will work for you for the next 30 years.

I just applied to my agency! I was hesitant at first, but when I mentioned I was interested, there was so much support! :D

The educational assistance is pretty sweet. I plan to go all the way to my Masters. Medical and dental are covered for life. Don't have to contribute for retirement, it's all state-level and taken care of. I did the pay+benefits comparison and it can't be beat.

Wish me luck guys, I even got to mention it to the Chief today. He was pretty happy.

I am going to apply to San Diego PD, thinking about Riverside and San Diego SOs as well.

[Kieth M.]

No matter which agency you end up with, make sure they have no prohibitions regarding probationary employees going to school on your off-days, just like many will not allow you to have a part-time job while you are on probation.

[avalon42]

No matter which agency you end up with, make sure they have no prohibitions regarding probationary employees going to school on your off-days, just like many will not allow you to have a part-time job while you are on probation.

Yea, I thought about that. Probation is 1 year. It's all good. I'm gonna make it...thanks for the encouragement!