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Michigan officers looking to relocate

6/17/2009 11:04 AM
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2

Michigan officers looking to relocate

My wife and I are both officers in Michigan. Due to the economy, she will probably be getting laid off in the next year. We are thinking of relocating to another state because almost every city and county in Michigan either has a hiring freeze or is talking about layoffs. We are thinking about relocating now instead of waiting for the hammer to fall. I have 12 years experience all patrol (FTO, K9, tactical team). She has 8 years experience mostly patrol. We work for a department of about 85 (used to be 108).

We would like to move to a larger department in a warm state. Our department has eliminated all specialty units due to the reduced number of personnel. The only thing left is patrol and detective. I would like some input on good departments that are hiring preferably one that accepts lateral transfers (I know some start laterals at higher pay and only require a short academy or in-house training). We make about $65,000 now with holidays and limited overtime and would like to be somewhere in the ballpark at top pay. If you work for a department that meets these criteria or know of one that does, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

REPLY 1  -  4  of  4
6/17/2009 5:11 PM #1
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 380

RE: Michigan officers looking to relocate

Most departments in Texas are hiring. San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and Austin are good departments with very good pay. I don't know if they accept laterals from out of state yet. DPS and Parks and Wildlife (Game Wardens) are also both hiring. Both will require you to go through their full academy though.

TCLEOSE is the certifying agency for officers in Texas. They have information on getting your license converted here:
http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/Public%20Notice/eligwarning.htm

My warning about them is to carefully check how many hours your academy was. They are very strict on it having at least as many hours as Texas required at that time.

In addition to having a better economy than most of the country right now, Texas is also fairly warm. It is only hitting the low 100's in Austin so far, but we do expect to top it. I can ride my motorcycle year round, and my winter coat is a windbreaker. Short sleeve shirts are the uniform for most agencies year round also.

But if you get lonely for the cold and snow, Amarillo is always available too.
6/17/2009 5:55 PM #2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2

RE: Michigan officers looking to relocate

Steve
Thanks. I will look into it. I absolutely hate winter, so if we relocate we would be happy to never see snow again. No more dodging skidding cars on the freeway like a little police frogger while working accidents : )
6/21/2009 9:51 PM #3
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 215

RE: Michigan officers looking to relocate

Norfolk, VA is hiring and Virginia Beach, VA allows latterals (not sure if they're hiring at the moment though). Pay is a bit less then you'lre looking for, around 30K starting. But the cost of living is also a bit lower then Michigan as I understand it. Besides, WE got nice beaches here, and you don't have to chop through a foot of ice to go fishing....
9/23/2009 4:36 PM #4

321

Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1

Re: Michigan officers looking to relocate

Not sure if you found anything yet but my department will open up the application process for patrol officer this weekend (09/26/09), the deadline is Monday, October 19th at 1600.

My PD's website is: http://www.ci.medford.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=7

Medford, Oregon is on I-5, 30 miles from the California border. It's gotta be warmer than Michigan and it is a great place to live and work! Not sure how many we are hiring but we are always looking.

Stay safe,

321.
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