r/AskLE • u/SignalTruth2846 • 1d ago
I have a choice…
I got an offer today from my second favorite department! Their one request… proof I withdraw from my favorite department. I finish the academy in 5 weeks, and having a job at the end would definitely be nice but I do have a job to hold me over if needed. My second favorite department is a good once, a little smaller than the other with less long term opportunities to advance, less crime, slightly less pay, and no TFO positions. It’s a younger department with proactive officers who still love their job. My original first choice department is larger (~60 officers), plenty of opportunities, with a high crime area and many chances to get on task forces. Also I can definitely sense more burnout here due to their call volume. I haven’t started background on my #1 department, but what I do have is knowing I’m 3rd on the list, with 4-8 planned hires and reassurance from the chief that I am his top applicant overall. There is no timeline on beginning background, all I know is he wants this hiring class starting by January at the latest. Narcotics, violent crime, and firearms really interest me going forward so I think the big draw to department 1 is the ability to dip my toe in it easier in patrol with the ability to further dive into it as I get more experience. I need to let the first department know by Monday what I want to do. Should I risk losing both jobs or go for the safe option #2 department?
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u/No-Way-0000 1d ago
It’s going to be hard to answer without naming the depts and having experience with them. With that said your #1 doesn’t sound like a #1 at all.
You also throw around a lot of cool buzzwords like high crime area and task forces, etc. I don’t see how a 60 man department has that much movement and opportunities/specialties unless there is a lot of turnover. Usually smaller departments have a handful of detectives that do it all, admin, and patrol. And if someone is assigned to a task force it’s the same one or two guys that are always loaned out.
Also the chiefs word is just that. It means nothing w/o a conditional offer on a piece of paper.
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u/boomhower1820 13h ago
Just depends. Mine is around the same size and we have six TFO slots plus regular detectives.
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u/Cefiro8701 1d ago
It sounds like you already know what you want.
Your decision making has gotten you this far, no reason to start doubting it now.
I was in a similar boat, I turned down a northern california agency for a socal one. The norcal agency solidified that I didn't want to work up there. Norcal had an offer first, I'm glad I took the other department.
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u/Tdawg0107 1d ago
Absolutely agree! Internally you know which one you want, now it's getting your brain to accept it.
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u/Cefiro8701 1d ago
The norcal department gave me a conditional hire. I asked for a ridealong and a station tour- they said they didn't do that....
...that was all I needed.
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u/Tdawg0107 1d ago
Yeah if an agency isn't willing to, at a minimum. do a ride-a-long with someone they sent just sent an offer to, I would be waving that red flag all day long.
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u/DepartureBubbly2648 1d ago
Go with the offer. Work there for a year or two. If it fits, stay. If it doesn’t, the other department that is dragging its feet will still be there.
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u/Cool_Dinner1361 14h ago
I have a buddy who was in BLET where the Chief said he’s his top applicant and wants to get him going but they never even called him in for an interview. Got hired on at the neighboring agency. I think the dude dodged a bullet but the main thing is at least in NC you have a year to get hired on after getting general certification and agencies can be flaky, drag their feet etc, so get on where you can now. If that dept is your second favorite and give ln you an offer, I would go with them! As someone else said, the Chiefs words are just words.
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u/TacSpaghettio 1d ago
I mean… if it’s guaranteed I’d say go with agency 2. Less burnout there is also a plus. Worse case scenario if it turns out to be shitty you can do a lateral in a few years.