Arlington PD

[mbarden]

Anyone know anything about Arlington PD. I know you have to have a degree to work there and the pay is considerably higher than most departments, but is the money worth it? I am trying to decide between applying to Arlington and Fort Worth. Fort Worth seems a little more prestigious (if that's the right term to use). Leaning towards Fort Worth but not sure yet.

[rx8racr]

private message sent.

APD hands down...although im partial...

[Guest]

If the Dept is not Civil Service stay away IMO. Civil Service is a must.

[Beam44]

Unless you currently a certified Texas LEO with 2 years under your belt then you need not worry about Ft. Worth. They are hiring right now but only looking at certified officers with at least 2 years in Texas. There are plent of other good departments in the area. I have gone done and stayed for a few weeks at a time and have found that the area is growing so fast that even some of the smaller areas are paying well. No matter where you end up at I wish you good luck.

[txleo-3]

Arlington should be a busy place in the next few years, with JerryLand going in

[Se7en]

Fort Worth.

[Forney22]

currently in arlington pd academy now and love it thus far, not sure why you would consider fort worth more prestigous than arlington since arlington is one of the only police departments to require a degree to apply and is not a small city in its own right, and that's the reason why they dont have you take a civil service exam. I guess I am biased also but arlington is hiring officers like crazy right now with all the development that will be happening to the city in the next few years and there can not be a more perfect time to jump on board. Good luck with your decision and getting hired on.

[ThaLastLetter]

Try and apply for both. but i believe arlington > fort worth. at arlington the pay is better, the city is growing at a tremendous pace, its accreditted by CALEA, the dept is hiring only the best and i know that for a fact, you will gain seniority quickly, its a real professional dept. plus how often do u hear negative criticism about APD and its officers

[Rush817]

Ft. Worth is a more aggressive agency. Arlington has been known to be a kinder, gentler dept. It all depends on what you want. I would do your homework and ride out with both agencies and see which one you like.

[Se7en]

Try and apply for both. but i believe arlington > fort worth. at arlington the pay is better, the city is growing at a tremendous pace, its accreditted by CALEA, the dept is hiring only the best and i know that for a fact, you will gain seniority quickly, its a real professional dept. plus how often do u hear negative criticism about APD and its officers

Fort worth is one of the fastest and safest big cities in the U.S. And personally I wouldn't use CALEA accredited as a recruiting tool, but different strokes for different folks.

[FAUTaylor28]

Just got hired last week by Arlington and I couldn't be more thrilled! The professionalism that I experienced throughout the entire process and when I rode out, made my decision an easy one. Plus the fact that a degree is required along with the fact that they will not just hire anyone (which I saw firsthand) says a lot about the caliber of people that Arlington employs within their deparment! I don't know much of anything about Ft. Worth, just giving my firsthand knowledge about Arlington. Hope you find your way!

[Zamkn]

Admitted Bias: I am in the academy with Arlington right now.

Having said that, this department is fantastic. Here is a quick list of why I like Arlington:

1. People are here to see the community and department succeed.
2. This area is growing at a rapid pace.
3. The pay is great and our city council sees the need to keep our department among the best paid in North Texas.
4. Our public administration sees the importance of public safety.
5. The personnel recruiting staff communicates professional and promptly.
6. A new station is opening up in the south sector (thus, creating a south district) soon in keeping with the growth occuring throughout the city.
7. LOTS of off duty jobs are available with the entertainment districts.
8. Glory Park.
9. Texas Stadium.
10. This is a great time to get hired on as you will notice seniority in just a few years.
11. A degree is required.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

[Thisguy1996]

I wouldn't use CALEA accredited as a recruiting tool

Amen to that!

But I would factor in Civil Service as a big plus.

[dfwblue]

Interesting biased info already provided here.

1. Ft. Worth has a wonderful reputation from within the local law enforcement community.
2. Civil Service is a good thing.
3. A degree is a wonderful thing, but it does not equate to good officers.
4. Civil Service is not given because a degree is not required. Civil Service is a set of rules in order to protect the employee (officers). Up north they have Unions. Here, we have Civil Service....not the exact same thing, but job protection none the less.
5. CALEA is crap. Not only that, it is expensive crap.
6. APD has plenty of negative criticism.
7. Every department thinks they hire the best.

With all that out of the way....apply to both if you don't already have a preference. You won't go broke working for Ft. Worth, so I wouldn't really make pay the deciding factor. Do a ride along with both and see which environment you think you would make a better fit.

[Se7en]

Interesting biased info already provided here.

1. Ft. Worth has a wonderful reputation from within the local law enforcement community.
2. Civil Service is a good thing.
3. A degree is a wonderful thing, but it does not equate to good officers.
4. Civil Service is not given because a degree is not required. Civil Service is a set of rules in order to protect the employee (officers). Up north they have Unions. Here, we have Civil Service....not the exact same thing, but job protection none the less.
5. CALEA is crap. Not only that, it is expensive crap.
6. APD has plenty of negative criticism.
7. Every department thinks they hire the best.

With all that out of the way....apply to both if you don't already have a preference. You won't go broke working for Ft. Worth, so I wouldn't really make pay the deciding factor. Do a ride along with both and see which environment you think you would make a better fit.

Very well put.