Changing departments

[StewartT]

After getting a job with department X, I am now in a police academy. Dept. X is obviously paying for the academy fees. Although I'm not done with the academy I am thinking about applying to a different department...say dept. Y. I won't bore the readers here with the details of why I want to change departments. But, I absolutely did NOT plan to abandon ship when I came on board with dept. X.

Can those who know about such a thing comment on (a) is this at all common? (b) given that dept. X is a large dept, how big of a deal is this? I'm sure it's frowned upon but . . .

[lich]

First, the person who did not get the job because you took his/her spot would be [highly upset]. Sure, he/she will never find out, but I know I would be furious if I knew I lost my spot to someone who left the department during training.

Second, the department you want to work for is going to see a commitment issue with you since you're willing to look for another job while you're still training for the first.

These jobs cost a lot in terms of finding and training people, so your department stands to lose money and won't be happy with your decision. When they find out you're looking for another job, you might find yourself unemployed before the other department hires you.

If the choice was mine, I would go through the academy and get some time on the street before trying to go somewhere else unless there was something seriously wrong with my current department.

Oh, and it's not rare for people to stay in the field but work for different department throughout their careers. Some leave and come back, some decide to work elsewhere, it's not that big of a deal. You might even find it easier to get into another department once you've proven yourself.

I'd like to hear the opinion of some other members on this.

[GuestOne]

Try www.blueline.ca/forum/

[mikegee]

Jumping "Ship" is a reality these days-caveat-make sure that its for the right reasons( i.e. better work environment,better pay,"officer friendly" atmosphere and not 'cause you have buddies a Dept Y or your Girl friend lives in that city) Some small agencies take offense to that type of recruit! ( they are used to senior or veteran officers leaving for greener pastures) and if you think that Dept X's Chief or someone in command staff might not know someone in Dept "Y", DON'T FOOL yourself!!! KEEP your mouth shut and do what you have to do to pass the academy-my advice would be to pass probation at the Dept thats paying you and putting you through then leave after a yr or so, but if it looks like a "Bad" situation, then move on after you graduate.remember this- just cause you grad. from the Academy does not mean you're a "COP"- youneed that experience from completion of probation to get certified ( here in Calif. and Most Western U.S> States its called a P.O.S.T certificate).Don't put yourself in a situation, after coming this far, and lose a job.........

[Charlie]

StewartT--

In my opinion, this IS a big deal. Regardless of the department's size, the costs of soliciting applicants, putting them through the hiring process and THEN spending money on the person to attend an academy adds up to a significant expense! Why do you think most departments often go through the rigorious process of trying to select the best candidates? It's an investment and they hope they'll get a few years of service from the newer officers before they may leave for "greener pastures."

In the situation you describe, I think in most cases it would be extremely poor judgment to up and leave halfway through your academy in order to APPLY with another department. Why? For a number of reasons. For example, this would likely suggest that you lack committment and sincerity which can be damaging to your credibility. Other departments may NOT want to hire you fearing your lack of committment.

IF someone is in this situation, consider the following for thought:

-- SERIOUSLY consider the obligations and committments you've already made to the department that is investing in you to attend and successfully complete the academy.

-- Ask yourself what do YOU really want and expect in an LE career? WHICH department(s) do you REALLY have an interest in working for?

-- IF you have other motivations outside the department you've made a committment to, then you should give serious consideration in dropping out of the academy now.

-- Consider finishing the academy and giving the department a few years of service FIRST, (UNLESS a significant situation arises that would perhaps warrant going to another department), before going to another department.

Bottom line in my book: Generally, I think it would be a potentially serious mistake to make a move under the circumstances you describe in most cases. You'd likely screw yourself for awhile before you might have a chance to get on womewhere else!

And as someone else has already noted: you can lay odds that it is probable most departments often mutually know people in other departments. Word gets around fast! You can bet your butt they WILL talk to each other!

Just my 2-cents for consideration...
--
Charlie

[mikegee]

..And to ride Charlies' coat tails a little,I've met alot of officers who "jump around"-they screw up their seniority(not important to you now,but later on...) ,friendships they make on the job,they're retirement ( no#1 important along w/ salary), and are generally not well received by those with steady service to the Dept. I think Charlie gave you more than his "2 cents" (try at least $20 worth of good advice!) and both "Lich and Charlie were a lot more severe on you than I, but I hope you understand what type of "razors edge" your sliding down. Joining a Dept is like becoming part of a family-despite the negatives,families stick together and loyalty to the "Family"/the Team/ the Dept is something that seperates all the current,retired, and soon 2 bes from the rest of the professions out there! They gave you every reason to stay, and I'll only repeat what I posted earlier-leave only if its A BAD situation and a danger to your opportunity to stay employed-other than that you are a "success story" to the posters on this site.Don't throw that away with a "casual attitude" about being hired ( I'm watching now as 4 new recruits to my Dept are "sweating" over possible termination due to failure to adapt!). Usually, a larger Dept has more opportunity to promote and have diverse assignments-stick to it for now.......