Career in law enforcement?

[BluePastU]

What different careers are there in law enforcement? I was originally planning on doing something in the medical field but Im not sure if I could make the cut. I mean, my brother who went thru it all who I believe is smarter than me is stressing out over getting into med school right now. I guess it's worth it in the end tho when you're making a quarter of a mil as starting salary....of course after you're few years of residency where you get bitched into working 60hrs a week.

Anyways, I am going to be attending Colgate University (NY) this....hell, I leave in 6 days. I hear they have a pretty good law program up there. A high percentage of kids go on to law school afterwards as well, which I may plan on attending. I don't want to be an attorney however, just dont think I would be good at it since im not a very good public speaker. Was thinking about being a police officer and doing SWAT as well since im pretty fit and wouldn't mind the danger that comes with it. However, how much does this position pay? After all those years of schooling, I don't really want to be stuck to a job that is paying less then 6 digits. Are there positions out there in law enforcement that do pay this highly?

I know I may be coming thru as a bit selfish, greedy or shallow from this, but who doesn't want to be "successful"? Especially if I do make it to law school, I would expect for something good to come of all that schooling...for my time and effort, Hell, im gonna need a good start to pay off all my loans alone!

Thanks for any info guys/gals....

 

[DeVus1]

#1 Police Officers dont really make a whole lot of money, especially not "six digits."

#2 You have very good communication skills, as you deal with a multitude of people and situations

#3 If you want to make six digits, take the bar exam and become a lawyer.

#4 Police Officers work long hours, especially if you have a lot of court time. No nine to five job here.

 

[mswaim]

You are going to find six figure salaries hard to come by in the law enforcement profession until you work your way into the higher ranks in a city large enough to afford/require such a salary to intice/retain the best employees possible.

The real money in law enforcement/security these days is being paid by contractors, privately held companies, corporations and military sub-contractors.

Consider this; the base pay for a corporal in the US military is about $20,000 +/- a few dollars. A privately employed, contracted military "specialist" (mercenary) will earn somewhere between $150,000 - $200,000 while on the ground in Iraq.

Also consider that General Franks with 36 years experience draws a base salary of $154,000.

Corporate Security Directors in this country with a college degree and memberships in the right groups can and do (this one I know well) earn salaries in the same range as the mercenaries listed above, however they also have profit sharing, stock options, full medical packages, company supplied transportation, generous expense accounts, etc.

Most of these people come from the law enforcement community, either Secret Service, FBI, CIA, DOD, DEA, DOJ, Police/Sheriff, etc.

I guess the bottom line is; if you work hard and prepare yourself, you can provide a very comfortable life for yourself in the law enforcement profession. Life is full of choices and there is no better country in the world in which to have the freedom to make them.

 

[jshen]

Govt Lawyers

Don't expect 6 figures here either, especially if your connected to law enforcement/prosecution

 

[FordSVTFan]

Originally posted by BluePastU
What different careers are there in law enforcement? I was originally planning on doing something in the medical field but Im not sure if I could make the cut. I mean, my brother who went thru it all who I believe is smarter than me is stressing out over getting into med school right now. I guess it's worth it in the end tho when you're making a quarter of a mil as starting salary....of course after you're few years of residency where you get bitched into working 60hrs a week.

In Law Enforcement you have many facets. There is local, county, state and Federal. I am a Federal Law Enforcement officer and was previously a county law enforcement officer. I have four college degrees, including a medical degree. I practiced medicine for 7 years. So, let me correct a few of your notions; residency is 80 hours a week for slave wages and is a minimum of three years to upwards of 5 plus fellowship if needed. Starting salaries in any field other than surgery will be $45-60K, not a quarter of a million. Surgeon starting pay for general surgery will be about $80K.

Anyways, I am going to be attending Colgate University (NY) this....hell, I leave in 6 days. I hear they have a pretty good law program up there. A high percentage of kids go on to law school afterwards as well, which I may plan on attending. I don't want to be an attorney however, just dont think I would be good at it since im not a very good public speaker. Was thinking about being a police officer and doing SWAT as well since im pretty fit and wouldn't mind the danger that comes with it. However, how much does this position pay? After all those years of schooling, I don't really want to be stuck to a job that is paying less then 6 digits. Are there positions out there in law enforcement that do pay this highly?

Average top pay for a patrolman in this area is about $50K, no extra for tactical. With rank comes more pay. Overtime adds more cash and of course road work.

On the Federal Level an 1811 agent at the full journeyman level of GS13 in my agency makes $82K plus LEAP pay so that totals about $103K plus an additional amount for locality pay (avg 10%) so that bumps it to $113K/yr. But it is a difficult line of work averaging 55 hrs/wk plus strange hours, etc.

I know I may be coming thru as a bit selfish, greedy or shallow from this, but who doesn't want to be "successful"?

You do come off as greedy and shallow! Success has nothing to do with how much money you make!!!

Especially if I do make it to law school, I would expect for something good to come of all that schooling...for my time and effort, Hell, im gonna need a good start to pay off all my loans alone!

Thanks for any info guys/gals....

Well to be honest I think you need to consider something other than law enforcement. Maybe politics as there shallow, greedy and vapid are all assets.

 

[Camaroguy22]

Re: Re: Career in law enforcement?

Originally posted by FordSVTFan


On the Federal Level an 1811 agent at the full journeyman level of GS13 in my agency makes $82K plus LEAP pay so that totals about $103K plus an additional amount for locality pay (avg 10%) so that bumps it to $113K/yr. But it is a difficult line of work averaging 55 hrs/wk plus strange hours, etc.

What federal agency do you work for? And how many years service?

 

[DEFYANT]

FYI, Suffolk County and Nassau County NY patrolman make over 100K at top pay. Thats after 5 yrs on the job. But you have to have (I think) 4 years of collage to apply. If you test you better score 100 or better w/ military credit points.

BTW, I am a cop w/ the local sheriffs office. I am not rich, but I do well. Most important is I am home alot with the family. I work 4 days off 2 permanant shift, w/ lots of time off. Take home car, good bennies. Hell, I work right here! Court sux sometimes but hey, it's OT. Once in awhile you get a late call or an arrest before you get off duty but not always. I've done physical labor, punched a clock and busted my ass for several years. I would not go back for nuthin!! What other job offers so much diversity? Patol, CID, NARC, Crime Lab, Det. SWAT, or you can go up the chain of command.

Originally posted by Isolated
#1 Police Officers dont really make a whole lot of money, especially not "six digits."

#2 You have very good communication skills, as you deal with a multitude of people and situations

#3 If you want to make six digits, take the bar exam and become a lawyer.

FYI, alot of states attorneys were cops who became lawyers

#4 Police Officers work long hours, especially if you have a lot of court time. No nine to five job here.

This is generally true. You wont become rich on this job. But you'll have a good time and met a lot different people. You are basiclly your own boss. You can make a difference!

 

[FordSVTFan]

Re: Re: Re: Career in law enforcement?

Originally posted by Camaroguy22
What federal agency do you work for? And how many years service?

I work for DHS! Total Federal Service is 4 years now.

 

[Blown03 HD]

Base pay for for a first year officer in Santa Clara California is 80, two years in with overtime is a eary 120,000

 

[Blown03 HD]

Base pay for for a first year officer in Santa Clara California is 80, two years in with overtime is a easy 120,000

 

[sbro712]

Yeah, but your 80K in SOCAL doesn't buy nearly as much as my 60K in Texas.

 

[COBRA90GT]

Yeah good point, it's all about the cost of living & real estate...

 

[Blown03 HD]

Very true, median price for a house in Santa Clara $550,000

 

[Iamchris]

I was also considering a career in law enforcement. I worked several months as an MP, when they took me from my normal job of Aircraft Structural Maintenance.
I didn't get the full experience, but I did enjoy it alot.
I have a very disciplined personality and I am reasonable and easy to get along with. I am in great physical condition, and very smart. I have both military experience and military police experience. I have even looked into schooling.

Sadly however, the reason I wont take the next step is petty.
I don't want to shave again! I can't stand shaving along my jaw line, it is painful for me and extremely irritating. I shaved for years in the military and I wont do it again.
Yes, I realize how rediculous it is, but I can't see myself being happy while doing this for the next 30 years.
Maybe I could get a shaving waiver, or am I off base in thinking all police officers need to shave?
If you can get a waiver as a police officer, would it unofficially hold you back from gaining rank, i.e. people would think you are a slouch?

(My facial hair is very thick around my jaw line and shaving causes me to get small red bumps as the hair tries to resurface. I usually just trim my facial hair with a buzz clipper, then shave with a flat razor on my cheeks and neck, leaving it short and neatly groomed.)

 

[sbro712]

No waiver in my PD. The only officers that don't have to shave are our narcotics investigators.

 

[SOLISIMO]

Isolated, I dont know where your from but my first year I made 45k down here in south fla. I very well off right now and to top it off i get a free car and gas that i dont pay for. I know tons of cops down here that are in six figure salaries being just road deputies, and hundreds making between 80k and 90k. So i guess its really where your from but down here we are very well off. Oh your comment on court, yes we do go to court, actually I'm there for 10 minutes and I get paid for three hours of overtime.

 

[Lawman]

Originally posted by sbro712
Yeah, but your 80K in SOCAL doesn't buy nearly as much as my 60K in Texas.

I was waiting for someone to bring up the "cost of living" factor. I've been a LEO for five years now, and my best year so far was $48K. (last year.) When I started, my base salary was: $22,000(Academy), $25K (1st year off probation/F.T.O. program, 3rd year $28,925, 4th year $29,825, 5th year $33,500 base. To get to $48K, I had to work tons of O.T./ 2 details/week Avg. 65-70 hrs/week. ---But I love this job!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Blk 02]

I know your leaning away from the medical field but have you ever considered nursing? This is what I'm in school for right now. You could get your 2 yr degree and there is no pay difference a 2yr or 4yr degree. There will always be jobs available. You could do some travel nursing (very cool) although you aren't likely to become a millionaire but you'll be able to live extremely comfortably. This field has a lot of options as well, you can go back to school to become a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist either one can make close to 100k a year +or - some. Of coarse not for everyone

 

[FordSVTFan]

Originally posted by Blk 02
I know your leaning away from the medical field but have you ever considered nursing? This is what I'm in school for right now. You could get your 2 yr degree and there is no pay difference a 2yr or 4yr degree.

I dont know who told you that, but there is a decent difference is pay and job opportunities between someone with an associates degree and the R.N. cert and someone with a B.S.N. and and a cert.

Starting bonuses are different, starting pay is different and you cant NOT become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist without a 4 year degree first.

 

[silverbullet00g]

FordSVTfan are you an 1801 or 1811 with DHS... I am a armed CASS with the FAA(wink)

I was a Marine making 22,000 when I got out I went to a small dept spent 2 years.... made 26,000 moved to a bigger dept. and made much better money with good bennies: 36,000 + OT (court or a lock up 10 minutes before getting off), comp time, gratis time (make up time when the city closes but the PD didn't) with COLA raises, a take home car (5,000 perk) then you get into schedules I worked 4 on 3 off rotating days, eves, mids... Some days sucked but I could use 2 days comp and 2 days gratis be off for 10 and go do fun stuff. In 2001 I grossed 65,000. I went federal This year I will be 6 figures but I travel alot and I really miss the street. My .02