Would my pay be enough in Denver? (Longmont, Erie: to rent, how much)

[Letalisk]

Hello everyone! Trying not to sound too copy-pasted from another city thread of mine, but I'm a Utahn considering pursuing a law enforcement career in a couple different cities and Denver is one of them. I'm just looking for some feedback about the area in relation to how much I'd be making.

First, what I'm looking for. I would prefer to rent(and probably eventually own) a house somewhere in or around Denver. I'm very flexible on this and actually kind of prefer the suburbs. That's not to imply I've lived a whole lot of urban life being from Utah. Anyway, a commute to downtown Denver(by car or other means) of 30 minutes or less is something I have no problem with and can tolerate a 45 minute commute.

Now, for the salary. After the academy, I'd be making $52.1k and after 3 years I'd be making $77.7k(before taxes, of course). My wife would be working too, but I'm trying to figure out how far I could take us on my own. No kids yet. Would I be able to accomplish my goals based on this salary? I know that such a salary would actually go a ways here in SLC(at least as far as what I consider living comfortably) and that Denver is a little bit more expensive, but I figured I'd get information straight from you guys.

Bonus question: What's the relationship between the Denver PD and the residents like? I have seen a couple things here and elsewhere that makes me think it's a bit stressed, but I'd be interesting in additional input.

Thanks for your help!

[sammy87]

Originally Posted by Letalisk

Hello everyone! Trying not to sound too copy-pasted from another city thread of mine, but I'm a Utahn considering pursuing a law enforcement career in a couple different cities and Denver is one of them. I'm just looking for some feedback about the area in relation to how much I'd be making.

First, what I'm looking for. I would prefer to rent(and probably eventually own) a house somewhere in or around Denver. I'm very flexible on this and actually kind of prefer the suburbs. That's not to imply I've lived a whole lot of urban life being from Utah. Anyway, a commute to downtown Denver(by car or other means) of 30 minutes or less is something I have no problem with and can tolerate a 45 minute commute.

Now, for the salary. After the academy, I'd be making $52.1k and after 3 years I'd be making $77.7k(before taxes, of course). My wife would be working too, but I'm trying to figure out how far I could take us on my own. No kids yet. Would I be able to accomplish my goals based on this salary? I know that such a salary would actually go a ways here in SLC(at least as far as what I consider living comfortably) and that Denver is a little bit more expensive, but I figured I'd get information straight from you guys.

Bonus question: What's the relationship between the Denver PD and the residents like? I have seen a couple things here and elsewhere that makes me think it's a bit stressed, but I'd be interesting in additional input.

Thanks for your help!

Pay should be fine for a lot of areas, especially after you bump up to 77k. There are plenty of people here that make less and get by.

As far as the relationship between the population and police go. As far as I can tell as long as you don't shoot someone's dog or elk, you should be fine.

[davebarnes]

Same - Cost of Living with one huge exception
Different - housing prices. Denver is 28% more than SLC on average.

Same - Denver has a fairly high Mormon population
Different - Mormons do not dominate greater Denver politics

Same - both cities are near the mountains.
Different - Less air pollution in Denver. Especially in the Winter.

The Denver PD has a huge outreach program in progress. New police chief shaking things up.

Don't even think about shooting a dog.

[davidv]

Here are a few things to consider:

Policemen often make more money by working overtime. This can bump up their pay considerably.

There are 6 different districts in DPD where you could be stationed. The likelihood of being stationed downtown is not very high. You would probably want to live nearer to where you are stationed.

Denver Police have a history of violence and corruption. There is not a year that goes by without a DPD officer being accused of brutality and/or misconduct. Accordingly, there are many who live in Denver who are very wary of the Denver Police. The department routinely is sued and loses most of these cases. I fear for the safety of my 17 year old son if he were to be stopped by the police. I am afraid he would do something stupid like try to run away and the officers who catch him end up beating the stuffing out of him. It happens more than we think, and now that there are video cameras everywhere it is being taken more seriously.

[mic111]

I also think the Denver police have a pretty bad reputation. The little we see on video is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of their abuse of citizens. The outlying suburban/rural ones are always shooting pet dogs. Thank goodness for people with camera phones so we can get both practices to stop.

[Mystery123]

Originally Posted by sammy87

Pay should be fine for a lot of areas, especially after you bump up to 77k. There are plenty of people here that make less and get by.

As far as the relationship between the population and police go. As far as I can tell as long as you don't shoot someone's dog or elk, you should be fine.

Yes agree on pay.

And even more on the dog or elk or person.
I lived in Dallas and these kind of things happened but they don't get as publicized as in Denver.
Last cop who shot the dog in Longmont (? or Erie) was in the news for months.

Also, there were few incidents where drunk and unarmed where shot and killed as well as some bar beating so public relationship is not as good as DPD or us would like but it may be same in most big cities.