Becoming a Cop in Temecula... (San Diego, Sacramento: real estate, house, transfer to)

[Fatty Jay]

I'm currently still active duty in the Marine Corps. I will be getting out in about a year and my wife and I want to move to Cali. We're looking into Temecula/Murrieta to live.

I was wondering if anyone is already a cop in one of those cities, or any city in the San Diego area. Also, what about CHP? Just like many kids, I always thought it'd be cool to be a cop, so I was thinking it might be the time... I would also like to help people. If anyone has read my earlier threads, I mentioned becoming a REALTOR, Appraiser, and Home Inspector. That is also one of my dreams, but I learned that I should probably have a real job first, as it's hard getting into real estate. I think I want to be a cop, and maybe do real estate as a part time business.

Does anyone know how it is being a cop in Temecula or Murrieta? How is it? Would highway patrol be a good idea living in Temecula? Would it be a long drive to the station? I just started researching so I don't know much about becoming a cop in Cali...


Edit: Also...Do cops in California make enough to pay the bills?? We're looking to buy a small 3/2 house in Temecula or Murrieta...

[Fatty Jay]

Well, I haven't gotten any responses but I have a few more questions..

Are Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer the same thing? It seems like Riverside County only has a Sheriff's Dept. Also, if I were to become a Deputy Sheriff in Temecula, would I ever be able to transfer to San Diego to be a Police Officer??

[davidt1]

A sheriff deputy and a police officer are both sworn police officers. Yes, they are the same. The only difference is their jurisdiction. A police officer has jurisdiction in the city he or she serves. A sheriff deputy has jurisdiction in the county. Yes, as a police officer you can transfer to another police department if that department accepts lateral transfers.

You might be give extra points for being a veteran. I think it is better to work for a large organization such as the CHP or Sheriff Dept. You have more opportunities to advance and more assignment choices. Cops make more than most people with 4-year college degrees do. There are people in the LAPD and LASD, for example, making, with overtime, over 100K a year.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by davidt1

A sheriff deputy and a police officer are both sworn police officers. Yes, they are the same. The only difference is their jurisdiction. A police officer has jurisdiction in the city he or she serves. A sheriff deputy has jurisdiction in the county. Yes, as a police officer you can transfer to another police department if that department accepts lateral transfers.

You might be give extra points for being a veteran. I think it is better to work for a large organization such as the CHP or Sheriff Dept. You have more opportunities to advance and more assignment choices. Cops make more than most people with 4-year college degrees do. There are people in the LAPD and LASD, for example, making, with overtime, over 100K a year.

I don't think SDPD makes anywhere near half as what LAPD officers make.

[xdrcx]

In southern Riverside County, RSO contracts with the city of Temecula and patrols the unincorporated areas of Riverside County in that area. There are a couple small police departments in that area as well. These include Hemet and Murrieta (Murrieta Hot Springs is unincorporated and patrolled by RSO). These areas are the closest affordable housing to San Diego and thus the competition for jobs in these agencies is tough. Many officers leaving SDPD have taken most of the openings.

It is very possible to live in Sand Diego County on an SDPD or SDSO salary comfortably with a second income. It is easy to lateral from County to County, but why not start your career where you want to stay and build your career with that department rather than starting all over again when you want to move? Starting pay is about $46,000 during the academy for SDPD,and climbs to about $53,000 after probation (12 months after academy graduation). The LAPD website states it starts at $54000-$58000 depending on education. Slightly higher, not quite double. I won't even begin to discuss the problems with LAPD that make it not worth the trouble.

Be very sure being a Cop is what you want and not what you "think" you want to do. You will see, even with subsequent posts on this thread, that it is not a popular job. People will actually hate you and try to kill you simply for the uniform you wear and car you drive (edit: I just remembered you are USMC and probably know how this feels). You have to like people and have patience and not let that constant threat effect the way you treat people.

PD's and SO's are both sworn and have equal powers that cover them in the entire state on or off duty. CHP is limited, but also equal in power. Their policies limit their range. The CHP academy (6 month live-in) is in Sacramento and you have to go wherever they want to send you in the state for your first year in patrol. Most end up in LA and Oakland. In Riverside SO, OCSD and LASO you will do at least a year in the jails. San Diego had two classifications, Detentions Deputy and Patrol/Court Services Deputy. Depending on which station you choose in San Diego SO, you will do at least one year in the courts before going to patrol.

Hope this helps.

[Fatty Jay]

I thought I already replied to thank, but I guess not... Thx for the replies, they've been pretty helpful.

[jimbozzie]

The good thing about CHP is the Retirement... After 30 years you get 90% of your paycheck... and if your making 123k+ like most are after their 10th year... well.... you do the math.... Especially if you open a side business like you say you want to... Which I find very similiar to me own life(Im in the same situation you are in.. I just cant figure out which agency LASD/CHP I want to go to)...

[dhboore]

The CHP office in Temecula has a sign up that they are now hiring.

[PHItoLAX]

Be advised that a some sheriff's departments (LASD and San Bernardino for example) will require you to spend time as a sworn officer in a correctional facility before you get transferred out to patrol. If that's not something you'd be interested in, then look into PD's.

[Fighter 1]

Originally Posted by PHItoLAX

Be advised that a some sheriff's departments (LASD and San Bernardino for example) will require you to spend time as a sworn officer in a correctional facility before you get transferred out to patrol. If that's not something you'd be interested in, then look into PD's.

One more thing to consider **** when you are sworn in yoiu will sware to uphold the California Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, now catching the bad guy's is fine but check it out if you don't believe ,but it is a violation of one constitutional rights to free travel when you give some one a ticket ( look at vehicle code 40513 or 853.9 c.p.c. both state that the defendant has a right to request a verified complaint on the "Notice to Appear", Now you ASK WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT ! WELL YOU, THE POLICE DEPT. OR THE COURTS CAN'T GIVE THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT SO ALL YOUR WORK IS A WASTE OF TIME THE COURTS DISMISS EVERY TIME IT IS BROUGHT UP IN THER COURT. AND THAT ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THE FRAUD THAT YOU WILL BE TAUGHT AS A POLICE OFFICER .