RE: Beaufort, SC PD

Here is their web site:

http://www.bftpolice.com/

Thanks.

I did check out the website already. Was hoping someone might have some personal insight or knowledge on the department and or city though. Thanks for your help though.

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

Sorry, being in Texas all I know is that SC is a nice state to visit. I have never heard too much about Beaufort, well never heard anything at all about them really. I was kind of hoping one of the others who look in might be closer and help answer better too.

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

No worries. It's all good. I've never been to Beaufort but, it seems nice. It's a small town on the coast. I do know that it's a military town though. Marine Corps Air Station and Parris Island are there. I guess not too many people now about it unless you were in the Marines and or visited there. Maybe I'll just have to take trip and check it out. Thanks Again.

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

I did some research on the town and county as well. It seems as though there might be some budgetary issues going on, meaning spending for cops etc., might cause come to a halt. I was wondering what sort of policing is it that you want to do? I don't know if you have asked yourself this question or not. If you want action, you should go to a major city. If you want little to no action, you go to a small town. I've known of cops who work the big cities lateral to places when you could hear people snoring, and vice versa. You might want to ponder this before you apply. :)

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

Your right.... I don't want to be in Mayberry working alogside Andy and Barney thats for sure :) I'm actually Federal (k-9) now and since 911 it has just turned into threat protection and security oriented. Before 911 and right after it was still doing regular police work (nothing like a big city though) ie traffic, arrests, handling calls etc. but, now its like we are children who the govt. wants to be seen and not heard from. So for me I figured starting off with the smaller agencies like Beaufort and then jumping into something bigger maybe. I do know that beaufort has about 50 officers and they have a tact team, marine unit, k-9, motors, bike, investigations etc. so it seems like they have enough to stay busy. As far as what type of policing they do on a daily basis, how many lockups they get, how many calls for service routine & emergency, etc I have no idea. I did not know.... about the budget concenrs though. From talking to them they sounded like they were doing ok becuase they were on a continious hiring basis and supposedly one of the highest paid in the state, take-homes and so on. I'll have to do some more research on that issue though. Don't want to go get there and find out they are laying off officers or letting them go and so forth. The wife wouldn't be too happy abot that one. Ha Ha :) Well I guess the search continues. I was hoping someone from Beaufort might be looking at the post and have some first hand knowledge. Maybe not though. Thanks once again for the info. Especially the possible budget stuff. Where did you see that by that way?? Take care.

Last edited @ 4/2/2008 2:18 PM

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

I KNOW LOS ANGELES COUNTY IS HAVING SOME BUDGETARY ISSUES. IN FACT, I HEARD TONITE FROM A RETIRED DEPUTY THAT THEY WERE ONLY GOING TO HAVE 4 ACADEMY CLASSES THIS YEAR....THIS IS NOT A GOOD SIGN.....HAVE YOU GONE ON ANY RIDE-ALONGS WITH THEM TO SEE HOW BUSY THEY ARE, CHECK OUT DEPARTMENT MORALE, HOW THE CHAIN OF COMMAND RELATES TO THE RANK AND FILE? YOU ARE MAKING A TIME INVESTMENT IN THIS DEPARTMENT, AND YOU SHOULD DO HOMEWORK ON THE PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR CAREER. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE BOUNCING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. I DID A GENERAL QUERY FOR BEAUFORT AND CAME UP WITH THE INTEL ON THE BUDGET STUFF. IF THE COUNTY IS HURTING ANY CITY WITHIN THAT COUNTY WILL FEEL THE EFFECTS AS WELL. HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE BIG CITIES AROUND BEAUFORT?

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WAS AN SC STATE TROOPER, HE LEFT THERE AND WENT TO WORK FOR DOT AS DIRECTOR OF HAZMAT TRAINING....SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE K-9 FOR YOUR WHOLE CAREER, PONDER WHAT YOUR TRUE LOVE IS....WHAT DO YOU ASPIRE TO? I AGREE WITH STEVE, EDUCATION AND TIME ON THE JOB WILL GIVE YOU CREDIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PROMOTE.

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

I actually will be doing a ride along when I go down for the interview, psych, and polygraph. I figured since they were trying to work with me as an out of state applicant and paying for the hotel etc. that I could just do it all in one trip hopefully. Scout out the city and get a feel for the PD. As far as long term career goals I just want out of my current Department. I figure that with 7 years experience and bachelors and masters degree in Criminal Justice once I get somewhere I like I will hopefully get promoted after a while. I guess thats my goal upward advancement through the ranks. Beaufort seemed good becuase it was a decent size city around 14000 and a 50 man dept. I guess I'm just looking to get out and do some police work without jumping right into the frying pan after being federal for so long.
Speaking of that what do you all think about someone who was excited 7 years ago when they got hired on the job and went out and really enjoyed it and had fun doing it but, then the whole department changed its' focus from doing patrol work to more of a threat protection role then that officer just lost interest in anything he had to do.....?? I always wanted to be a cop and finally got into it and I loved it right up untill they put us on posts and told us to stop doing traffic and discouraged us from going out and looking for stuff to get into, now I hate where I'am and what I do. Do you think I can get it back after I leave and start doing "real" police work again? I mean I know it's what I still want I just wonder If I'll get that "bug" back for the job like I once had. I hope it's just a temporary loss becuase of what I have been forced to do now and where I'am. Any Thoughts......??

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

You might regain that confidence you once had if you really believe Beaufort is the place for you....you have the credentials for upward mobility, but the troops will resent you if you don't put your time in on the streets. Some may not consider you a real cop because of your federal gig. So, to have "real" mobility in the job, do your time, don't be a ladder climber because of who you know and you will get the respect of your peers......

RE: Beaufort, SC PD

That is what I was hoping for..... Just to get that confidence back and the love of doing patrol work again. As far as the long term goals of upward mibility your right....... there is no way that I woud ever expect or even want to come on somewhere and move up without putting in my time and getting more experience under my belt. I kow firsthand how thats feels and what it does to a departments morale. Thanks for the advice and I do think your right about the confidence aspect and getting on somewhere else. Really appreciate all of your help and advice with this whole thing irishone.