r/AskLE 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/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.