Expert: Jason Grabill - 12/27/2004

Question
Hi Mr. Grabill,

First off, I apologize for such a long message but I hope you will be able to provide an experienced opinion. :)

My name is Nathan, I'm 23 and about to graduate from college.  I'm currently in the application process for the Johnson County sheriff's dept and the police dept in Olathe Kansas.

I applied to 3 local police dept in October and hadn't heard from any of them.  I met a deputy with the sheriff's dept and he recommended that I apply with them.  They began the application process rather quickly and it was really exciting and looks promising.  They just finished my background checks and I'm supposed to go in for my polygraph test in mid Jan.

My problem is, I just recently was contacted by the police dept and they want to begin the application process at the end of Jan.  I have talked with another officer and he said that I would be more valuable to a federal agency - ATF or FBI, if I had street experience with the PD or Highway patrol, which is where I think I would like to end up.  From what I understand, I won't be receiving very much street experience with the sheriff's dept.  On the other hand, the master deputy that I have been in contact with throughout my app process said that I would have more opportunities with them.

Would you happen to have an opinion on my dilemma?  A new Sheriff was just elected and I have been told that it's possible that I would be maintaining the detention center for an extended period of time.  I'm afraid I will lower my chances of continuing my career if I go down the wrong path.  

If I am offered a job with the sheriff's dept and I accept, it would hurt my record severely if I was to quit and go to the PD if they offer me a position.  At the same time, if I pass up the offer with the sheriff and not start their training, I may not get offered a job with the PD.

I really appreciate any guidance that you may be able to give and hope you have a wonderful day.

Nathan


Answer
Nathan:

  Sorry it took me a day or two to get back with you, hope you had a good holiday!  OK, here goes.

  I would find out what the story is with the Sheriffs Dept;  do they patrol, or just run the jail and serve papers?  Or, like some outfits, they do both.   Many Sheriff's dept's make you start out in the jail, work there for some time, and then go to patrol.  In others, jail and civil process service is all they do.   If that isn't what you want to do, then simply don't go with them.  You don't want to be doing a job that you don't like.

  Put in for the PD, since you know for a fact they will be doing patrol type work.  The Sheriffs dept is always a backup plan, in my opinion.  People do this all the time, they put in for multiple agencies, and go with the one that best suits their needs.  

  One last thing, if the Sheriffs dept does do patrol work, but you have to spend "x" number of months/years at the jail, look at the benefits between the Sheriff and the PD.  I'd go with the one that gives better benefits (take home cruiser, lower medical benefit payments, better retirement).  That way, you can tell the other agency you went for the job that had the best benefits.

Good luck!

Jason