Choices, choices...

['Guest']

I have a new topic of conversation for which I would appreciate any advice.

As you may know from my previous thread (Titled, "Slightly Apprehensive"), I am currently involved in the application process for the Metropolitan Police Department of a major city.  <br>
In the spring of last year (2001) I sent a request for an application to my state's Highway Patrol headquarters.  I never received a response back from them until a couple days ago.  I received a letter stating that I am invited to begin the application process and have been given a date and a place to take the written test.

My question is, should I be involved in the application process for two seperate agencies at the same time?  The State Highway Patrol academy and testing is only held once per year.  If for some reason I do not make it through the application process for this major city and am not accepted into that academy, I would like to still have the Highway Patrol option open for this year.  However, I do not want to do anything that would have an adverse effect on my chances of joining either agency.

What should I do??

Thanks!
---Justin

[JimCMR]

Justin;  easy answer, if you are interested, take the test.  As long as you don't have a job offer from the local PD, you are a free agent.  One additional app, should not hurt anything.

JimCMR

[Charlie]

Justin--I don't see any problems with applying with the highway patrol even if you are processing for another agency at the same time. I think the only time this could be a problem would be if someone has applied to several agencies at the same time. That's a whole other issue that could, potentially, make one look "bad." Simply, I would advise that if you decide to apply to more than one agency, (which is not a problem and as Jim says, You're a "free agent"), select only a few you truly are interested in landing a job with. AVOID taking the blanket approach of applying to every agency under the sun. This is a common mistake a lot of people do.

Charlie

['Guest']

Justin- thats just the way it always seems to turn out-once you apply for one agency, another is right around the corner to apply for you've been advised to test for the Highway patrol, so do it(don't ever put your "eggs" in one basic,unless its a definite thing).I've advised others on this board to apply for at least 5 agencies in their area to start(as a covering of bases) and the only thing that could get "messy" is if both agencies are aware of oyur processing for both of them and they are mutually prepared to hire you.With the demand for more law enforcement officers, due to better retirement programs and  the ability to expand, the options are now in the applicants hands.I would like to know what "major metro agency" you applied for 'cause I'm  here in L.A. and with nearly 10 million people in L.A. county (our mean streets can compete and scare even the worst of east coast/midwest/southern tough guys), it sounds like training and inexperience on the officer being deployed. This has been happening nationwide, as the baby boomers are leaving and the "gen x" officers are hitting the streets (in L.A. the old Sgts' cadres often have supervisors with only 5 yrs experience, and the avg field officer is barely above 2yrs in the streets- a very "young" and inexperienced  force(s)) Don't buy into that hype of a particular area or city as being too dangerous, while another area or Dept. is "safe, as violence is sadly a part of being a police officer, and training is designed to prepare you for it.If I can influence to do one thing, it would be to apply because you want to be a "police officer", not just because it is a pay check!!! This is a career and, to some extent, a way of life.You can't just pick up the badge, then put it down like you can a fast food resturant job or secretaries position.Good luck...