NYPD

[Guest WolfEMT]

This is a bit of an unusual post for me, and I certainly hope that I have it in the right place on the board. I currently work for the ATF in the NY Regional Crime Gun Center, where I am basically a very minute part of the investigation process. I'm graduating Pace in 2 weeks with a BS in Criminal Justice and I have a general idea of what I want to do with my life (police work), but I do not have a specific idea. I have a few options in front of me: one is to become a NYC officer, one is to become a PAPD officer, and one is to become a NJ State Trooper. I took the NYPD exam in February, but I have not received my score as of yet. I'm taking the NJSP exam in June and a friend of mine who is a detective for PAPD said that they are probably going to have an exam at the end of the year. I'm pretty much confused beyond belief about what I want to do with the rest of my life.

NYC is the greatest city in the world and I would love to be one of it's Finest. What I'm confused about is the salary and the actual environment of the department. I've heard that it's strictly a "20 and out" department and that there are a lot of politics that goes into being an officer. I don't know if all that is true and I was wondering if there were any MOS on the board who could tell me a little bit about the department and what it's like to be an officer. Out of the three departments that I mentioned, NJSP is the best paid, but it's academy is the hardest to get through. It's been likened to the military, specifically the Marine Corps. PAPD sounds like a cool gig and all, but to me, and I might be wrong, it has a lot to do with security at the bridges, tunnels, and airports and not a lot to do with chasing down a perp or the more traditional aspects of police work. Again, I might be wrong. If there are people here who were in my spot right now, with 3 different options which would lead to 3 different destinations, what would be the one you would choose? I would appreciate any feedback that anyone can provide.

[JBE 328]

Go East Young Man!!! Start out with NYPD or PAPD, and then head over to Nassau or Suffolk. The pay is phenomenal.

[COMMANDCHIEF 4]

Out of all the departments you have listed it's most realistic your going to even get a shot to get on NYPD. The NJSP is going to be most difficult, good luck with that one. But try some other agencies around.

[Guest WolfEMT]

Thank you for all of your insight, it means a lot since I'm pretty confused right now.