Applying at multiple agencies

[Prov1x]

......................................

[StudChris]

Assuming you're already certified, no, take the job. If Department A was putting you through the academy, you would be burning a lot of bridges by leaving them that soon.

[NHNSP_ADMIN]

Yes you would need to stay where you are. You wont want to burn a bridge. Hang in there try and remember that the grass isnt always greener...

[mikeymedic]

6 months isn't long enough to get your POST certification. You transfer and bam your year to date for POST starts all over again. Up to you though, I got a better job offer for double the pay and half the hours just the other week, I turned it down because I am loyal to the department that gave me my first chance in LE.

[leesrt]

I never apply at more than one agency at a time. I do research and apply with the best agency first. If it doesn't work out you can move on to the next. If you get a DQ you need to find out what it is and how to fix it because the other agencies will pick up on it too. Thats the advantage of applying at one at a time.

Never burn a bridge in Law Enforcement no matter how much you hated the other place. It will haunt you and if you go to any other reputable agency they will contact the places you worked before.

[Prov1x]

I failed to mention I would already be certified, which would be the reason for applying so many places.

[Prov1x]

..................................

[Hound]

Depends on where you work

Most areas prob not. But where the academy is a regional one and the retirement between most agencies isn't affected by transferring, people do this all of the time. There is even rookie snatching in the academy. All of the agencies have a payback if you leave by choice before your first year is finished because its common enough for people to switch agencies.

Three of my classmates from another department moved to another agency within 4 months of graduating the academy. That department is known to lose people at a high rate.

[MidnightBlue]

What about DURING the academy? Say you get sponsored byt the SO that runs the academy and get an offer mid-academy from the PD that you've always wanted to work for. Would it be bad to take the job?

Sorry for replying, but it was to ask a similar question and I thought it made more sense to pose it here rather than begin an entirely new thread.

[just joe]

Depends. Is the sponsoring agency paying your way? Did they guarantee you a full time job when you graduate? Can they revoke their sponsorship, which will require you to leave the academy?

[KapsFB]

Nothing wrong (IMO) with applying to multiple agencies. Look into them all closely (pay, benefits, retirement, opportunities, structure, the whole deal). You will be asked if you have apps out to others by most agencies anyway so it should come as no surprise you may have other options.

Some agencies may have you sign an agreement to stay with them for a certain term once they hire and train you. Leaving prior to that term could be costly. Check the fine print.

Someone said the grass isn't always greener. True that. You also have to consider the "bird in the hand" approach. If someone's going to give you a firm offer, that may be better than a "maybe" from someone else. Depends on your personal status and what each actual and/or potential offer has to give. What's worse than applying to multiples is jumping from one to another willy nilly.

Back in the Stone Age when I was looking, I had about 6/7 apps out and grabbed the first solid offer. Haven't had any serious regrets since.

[2wheeldep]

I was in the last week of the academy when another agency approached me and offered me more money, better hours and a sign on bonus. I still felt I had to say no. I felt the agency that gave me my chance deserved at least a year of service from me. It worked out really good for me.

[just joe]

Good for you. That shows a lot of character.

[Prov1x]

......................................