Seattle Police Department (credit, how much, home)

[collint]

Hello,
I'm currently finishing up my degree as Criminal Justice Major here in iowa. Once i'm done i'm looking to move out of iowa and get a job as an officer in another part of the country. One of the area's i've been looking at is the seattle area. I've read up on it a little bit, but was wanting to get a real persons perspective on it.
I was wondering what it's like to work for the Seattle police and what there reputation is like? I'm looking to move out to the west coast or to the south to get away from all of the snow out here. So if u could also tell me how much snow the area gets i would be grateful

[AzDreamer]

I wonder if there is an objective source for this kind of info. My feeling is the Seattle cops are a bunch of jerks, worse than anywhere else I have lived.

[MichaelinWA]

I'm no expert, but I understand that Seattle's PD is nationally accredited (I can't remember the name of the organization that does the accreditation). Most big-city departments are not.

Originally Posted by collint

Hello,
I'm currently finishing up my degree as Criminal Justice Major here in iowa. Once i'm done i'm looking to move out of iowa and get a job as an officer in another part of the country. One of the area's i've been looking at is the seattle area. I've read up on it a little bit, but was wanting to get a real persons perspective on it.
I was wondering what it's like to work for the Seattle police and what there reputation is like? I'm looking to move out to the west coast or to the south to get away from all of the snow out here. So if u could also tell me how much snow the area gets i would be grateful

[allforcats]

Almost no snow. You can check City-Data.com and all the Google statistics available for Seattle annual weather info. We get a couple or a few days (not consecutive days) of snow per year, and the snow melts in a day or two. No one shovels snow here because there's rarely enuogh.

Compared with "the south", you'll find much lower humidity here all year, and in the winter much more drizzle.

[rick49]

Hi Collint. I am a security director for one of the downtown seattle companies and have worked with Seattle Police on all manner of issues over the past 30 years. I have found the officers, with very few exceptions, to be non judgemental and fair arbitrators in their response and assessment of events. In other words, an extremely professional group.

It is a large department, a diverse group of officers, and from what I have observed, fairly rapid rank and promotional opportunities abound. The city is divided into four precincts (east, west, north, south) and each has its own character, and seems to be plenty of transfers between the precincts, so I don't think boredom would ever be an issue with SPD. The town itself is still a fairly decent environment overall, but certainly the police department sees it warts and all, and I believe are a large part of the reason it is still a decent town.

I know SPD is always hiring, and I would recommend you visit their web site, and certainly check with the Seattle Police Officers Guild as well. They should be able to provide you more details.

Beware naysayers, who have not seen Seattle Police in action day in and day out. I have. I play straight in life, am non judgemental, and treat everyone with dignity and respect. From what I have observed of SPD, they run the same sort of department. If that fits you, I would encourage you to explore our town and law enforcement opportunites further.

BTW, in the suburban departments around Seattle you should find essentially the same sort of professionalism, but you would probably experience less diversity among the population you serve, as well as more of some of the routine dimensions of law enforcement, like running traffic.

You also asked about snow. Most years there is very little, and downtown Seattle is rare for any lasting snow event due to its location - shadowed by the Olympic Mountains, at sea level, and warmth from the buidlings and streets usually (emphasis on that last word) keeps any snow from sticking. When it does, all bets are off. The population shakes in terror at the hint of a major, or minor, snow event. This is probably because of the hilly terrain around town, and the traffic congestion in a snow event can make getting home anytime short of several hours problematic.

Hope that helps. Best wishes to you!

[collint]

rick49 thank you for the info thats the type of stuff i'm looking for

[fy10fyr]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

I wonder if there is an objective source for this kind of info. My feeling is the Seattle cops are a bunch of jerks, worse than anywhere else I have lived.

The knee-jerk reaction in Seattle seems to be that the SPD is ALWAYS wrong. God help you if you ever use force in making an arrest, and especially if you ever fire your weapon.

SPD is a solid department, that is unfortunately led by people that are afraid to stand up for their officers when it isn't politically correct to do so.

I wouldn't want to work for a PD that was overseen by Greg Nickels and the Seattle City Council. Lot's of other good options out there.

Good luck.

[collint]

ok i'm gonna sound dumb but who is greg nickels

[toughguy]

...are racist!!

[collint]

Originally Posted by toughguy

...are racist!!

what makes u think there racist? u have any proof of it?