Originally Posted by Doxparadise

Im just a college student whos gonna enter the academy when i get out of school. I cant wait to start. I was just wondering what type of cruiser you guys would like to have. Id personally go with the Dodge Charger. Im also looking for a job (obviously not an officer) or internship with a police department this summer for some experience if anyone knows of one. I live in lexington when im home from school. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

Originally Posted by ROBOCOP1982

I'll jump in here before the wolves come out of the walls. First of all, I see that you are eighteen years old, and unfortunatly you cannot be a sworn officer until you are 21. Otherwise, I would say to look down the cape for a summer job--there are a lot of opportunities. I was lucky, because I started as a summer officer at 18 before this new law came into effect. If you play your cards right and know your place in the feeding chain, you can end up with a full-time position when all is said and done.
Also, you can't just "enter the academy." It's a very long process with civil service, but if you plan everything accordingly...i mean everything...it can be done, dont listen to the people that say it's impossible to get a job in this state because it's not. So good luck, but at 18 the only thing you can do right now is keep yourself out of trouble.

Originally Posted by j809

The new Ford Focus Police Package , low profile with the 14 inch rims kicks ass. Tinted out and all leds low profile.

Originally Posted by Rock

Enlisting is a good idea if you want to go that route. The way I did it was to take every and ANY test that is availible. My resume is long. Don't just say "hey I want to be a Trooper so I'm only going to take that test". That's a mistake. Go through the process at every level (Local, State, and Federal...maybe even private sector) even if you don't think you would want the job. The best feeling is to have a department offer you a job and you having the oportunity to say "no thank you". Also, being as young as you are, you are in a great position to research many organizations and explore what type of experience you can gain. I wish you the best of luck. Never give up, don't listen to the negitivity, it can be done.

Originally Posted by Wannabe1

Are you on San Diego? If so, I thought their pay is pretty decent.

Originally Posted by j809

The new Ford Focus Police Package , low profile with the 14 inch rims kicks ass. Tinted out and all leds low profile.

Originally Posted by sdpdbeat122

Yes-SDPD and No pay. Actually we just got a 7.0 decrease in pay (contribution to retirement went up). The city is in financial shambles. We are looking at no raises for 4-5 years. Our base pay may be higher than some MA agencies but we don't work details and the price of a house is about 100k more here in southern cal. The only OT I will get is a Chargers or Padres game...maybe some extension of shift. Fresno PD makes more than us and we are the lowest paid now in the county (we were the highest when I came on. Although I didn't become a police officer for the money. Alot of our officers are jumping ship to places like Chula Vista and Santa Ana. Some agencies start at 91k in Orange County base pay for laterals. I am just not interested in one of the smaller departments because of the lack of ability to transfer to different units.


Other than the fact that we have the oldest air unit in the world and I usually pushing a cruiser with over 110k miles on it we are not a bad police department.

Originally Posted by j809

We just got a police package Dodge Magnum with only 300 miles to test out for a week. I test drove it today and all I can say is , WOW. The Hemi power is incredible, the suspension and handling is out of this world and the interior space is fantastic. I assume the Charger will be very similar. I will post some photos soon.

Originally Posted by andy0921

Was it comfotable and did it have more leg room with a cage then the crown vic?

Originally Posted by BPD110

Will the Chief let Part-Timers drive the test cruiser? If so my days off this week are Monday and Tuesday w/ all dayshifts open...

Originally Posted by j809

Here it is on my test run!!

Originally Posted by cjmajor

The only catch is the Crown Victoria is not going out of production. It is going to be produced for Law Enforcement agencies ONLY.

Originally Posted by andy0921

what would you guys rather drive if given a choice a crown vic or a charger?

Originally Posted by 40th MPOC#309

I'm willing to give it a try. Let's hope it doesn't have too many bugs to work out. At least it's American made-by a German conglomerate. SEIG HEIL!!!!

Originally Posted by topcop14

Don't care as long as it:
1. Starts
2. Heat / AC works
3. Does not have a strange funk going on, Like when someone leaves food under seat.
4. Brakes Work
5. Radio works
6. Head lights work

Originally Posted by Doxparadise

... Im also looking for a job (obviously not an officer) or internship with a police department this summer for some experience if anyone knows of one. I live in lexington when im home from school. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

Originally Posted by chief801

AMEN to that! I always liked taking the oldest car in the fleet, that way if you banged it up no on cared!