What would you do??

[Dustin H]

Here is the thing. I'm 27 years old, and I have been in the hiring process for a few months now. Law Enforcement IS what I am going to do for the rest of my life. BUT... I can't get into the department I want until the beginning of 08. So.... I am currently bartending because I quit my last job to persue the LE process. The thing is, I have a degree, and I hate wasting my education as a bartender, not that there is anything wrong with it, I just didn't spend all that money to do something I could have done without it.
Now, the main guy told me to apply for Police Communications position until I can become a police officer. I did that, took the exam a couple weeks ago and still haven't heard anything. HERE IS THE PROBLEM. I have been offered a really good job in the same field I was in before, and it starts out about $20k more than the police communications job. So, should I take it for the next 9-10 months and save up and pay some bills, or hold out for the police communications and if I get it use the experience to make me a better officer? I'm confused and would love some advice. I don't know if it's fair to the employer to have them spend time and money on me when I KNOW I will be leaving in less than a year to join the police department. What would you do??

[theheights109]

i worked communications before i was on officer, and it was one of the best things i could have done. what department are you trying to get on with? PM me if you want to.

[Chiller]

I would take the higher paying job if it was me.

You also DO NOT know you will be hired by AA County anyways unless they have already hired you? I realize you are HOPING they hire you but you never know for sure.

[Dustin H]

I have been through the testing etc. but because of personal issues I couldnt' make the May academy so I'm waiting til January.

[Chiller]

I have been through the testing etc. but because of personal issues I couldnt' make the May academy so I'm waiting til January.

OK I see now...congrats.

Either choice you make will be the right one. Start with the $$$ job and see if you get hired for the dispatch job then decide.


most important question is: Where do you bartend so I can come have some beers since your in AA County?

[Dustin H]

I bartend at a bar called Pesce Grande on West St. in Annapolis. It's hard getting away from it, cash is awesome, and $$$$$ In three days last week I made over $1k. But I'm tired of the late nights and all the drunks/smokers.
Second, the money job would be good to pay off the bills, but I feel as though it wouldn't be too fair since I will definitely be leaving to become an officer within a year. Plus, I think the experience with communications might really be helpful when I get out of the academy. I should know the test results this week, so we will see.

[Taylor1430]

I bartend at a bar called Pesce Grande on West St. in Annapolis. It's hard getting away from it, cash is awesome, and $$$$$ In three days last week I made over $1k. But I'm tired of the late nights and all the drunks/smokers.
Second, the money job would be good to pay off the bills, but I feel as though it wouldn't be too fair since I will definitely be leaving to become an officer within a year. Plus, I think the experience with communications might really be helpful when I get out of the academy. I should know the test results this week, so we will see.

Ahh...very familiar with that place As chiller said, both options would be OK. Communications is not a bad way to get started but I DO NOT recommend people using it as a 'back-door' to get on the street. Some people have used that as a way to 'sneak in' to getting hired in patrol. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with those that go from communications to patrol...but a lot of time, energy, and effort goes into training those in communications. To go through that and then transfer in less than a year is IMO a waste of their resources and you are taking up valuable space that could be used to hire somebody long term.

[JT in MD]

I bartend at a bar called Pesce Grande on West St. in Annapolis. It's hard getting away from it, cash is awesome, and $$$$$ In three days last week I made over $1k. But I'm tired of the late nights and all the drunks/smokers.
Second, the money job would be good to pay off the bills, but I feel as though it wouldn't be too fair since I will definitely be leaving to become an officer within a year. Plus, I think the experience with communications might really be helpful when I get out of the academy. I should know the test results this week, so we will see.

HA, you're tired of late nights and drunks and you want to be a cop???

[Chiller]

HAHAHAH...I know that place

They change the atmosphere in there I guess because it used to be a not very nice place to go to.

[Dustin H]

Ahh...very familiar with that place As chiller said, both options would be OK. Communications is not a bad way to get started but I DO NOT recommend people using it as a 'back-door' to get on the street. Some people have used that as a way to 'sneak in' to getting hired in patrol. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with those that go from communications to patrol...but a lot of time, energy, and effort goes into training those in communications. To go through that and then transfer in less than a year is IMO a waste of their resources and you are taking up valuable space that could be used to hire somebody long term.

I feel the same way, but this is actually the advice of the Special Investigator for personel since I can't do the academy until 08. He said to stay close to the department, and get a lot of things taken care of in the meantime ie. training and more background.

[Dustin H]

HA, you're tired of late nights and drunks and you want to be a cop???

LOL Wel at least I won't have to try to figure out what the hell the drunk *** wrote on the credit card slip so I can get paid Late nights are different bartending, I don't have to put up with them when I'm an officer just so I can get my tip