Careers with CPD (Chicago: crime, house, school)

[hank0604]

If anyone is an officer, or knows someone who is, I would be glad to hear some comments about joining the police department.

It seems like one of the better paying jobs out there for people without a Bachelor's degree, and they pay tuition reimbursement for officers to pursue a degree. Two years ago when I quit school, I would have never imagined myself becoming an officer, but now it's becoming more and more attractive an option (in my opinion, any government job is a good job with this economy).

How often do they bring in new cadet classes? How dangerous is it really?

Thanks guys.

[lincolnparker]

It is rather dangerous in Chicago to be a cop. However, the pay is good. I believe the starting pay is in the 50s for first year. plus great benefits, but you do hear every week that some officer got shot

Originally Posted by hank0604

If anyone is an officer, or knows someone who is, I would be glad to hear some comments about joining the police department.

It seems like one of the better paying jobs out there for people without a Bachelor's degree, and they pay tuition reimbursement for officers to pursue a degree. Two years ago when I quit school, I would have never imagined myself becoming an officer, but now it's becoming more and more attractive an option (in my opinion, any government job is a good job with this economy).

How often do they bring in new cadet classes? How dangerous is it really?

Thanks guys.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by lincolnparker

It is rather dangerous in Chicago to be a cop. However, the pay is good. I believe the starting pay is in the 50s for first year. plus great benefits, but you do hear every week that some officer got shot

Every week, huh?

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Every week, huh?

That seems a little too often to me also. Granted, I'm from a small town and the only city that I've lived in, Austin, TX, doesn't have much crime to speak of, but it's hard to imagine that officers get shot that often.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by hank0604

That seems a little too often to me also. Granted, I'm from a small town and the only city that I've lived in, Austin, TX, doesn't have much crime to speak of, but it's hard to imagine that officers get shot that often.

It seems too often because it doesn't happen that often. I'm not minimizing the fact that being a cop can be dangerous, but it's just not true that cops get shot in Chicago every week.

[chet everett]

City has decent web site for this stuff:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/2007_08ClassificatonPayPlan_1.pdf (broken link) (cops are on page 119)

City of Chicago - Public Safety Service

Unfortunately they get FAR MORE people taking the test then there is room to hire, so they have a HUGE waiting list of people. Eventually the list of people that passed the test gets too old and they offer another test. It is usually kind of "big news" but for those without connections it is easy for your test results to, ah, get lost....

[cap1717]

One of my childhood neighbors, Charles Greinke, became a Chicago policeman. I don't know how that is for him and his family, although I do still keep in touch with his mother. He is, at least, still alive!

[cobolt]

I have both an uncle and an aunt on both sides of my family (in otherwords, not married to eachother)who served the CPD. My uncle retired a while back and my aunt is about 3 years from retirement. The biggest complaint I have heard from them is just the stuff you're exposed to. I think it grates on the psyche after a while and when you spend day in and day out dealing with the bottom of the scum barrel, it tends to affect your attitude and outlook on life. I've seen them both become a bit more jaded and cynical, but they've raised kids and paid off a house on that income.....so.

[mattywo85]

I'm sure cops get shot from time to time but every week, that's doubtful!

[cobolt]

My uncle and aunt don't have any "shot at" stories, but they do have others. Domestic violence, muggings, car jackings, burglaries, you know.....