My husband wants to join the SFPD! (San Francisco, Oakland: crime rate, home) - San Francisco - Oakland - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

jajividen · 01-18-2009, 10:32 AM

We currently live in MI and want a change of pace and scenery. My husband is 33 and we have 3 children aged 7, 5 and 2. He is currently not a police officer. Is this a totally crazy idea?? Where would be the best places to live in the surronding area and is it possible to live on a police officers salary??I would more than likely get a job as well, I have a B.A. in Public Relations. Where are good places to raise our family? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Lulu101 · 01-18-2009, 11:24 AM

Forget it, you could not possibly afford to live in the area on that salary.

redwoodlvr · 01-18-2009, 12:26 PM

My dad was a cop. It's rough in San Francisco. Being in law enforcement is no joke and he will change and it will impact your family -- it's the nature of the work. Just a heads up to really think about it.

Does he have any interest in being a fire fighter? Might be tough with a young family, but I recommend this over SFPD. But who am I to say?! And you don't know me. LOL. If he wants to do it, he's probably going to do it anyway. Think you probably have to ask him and check in with yourself - make sure it will work with your family.

I have no opinion on the areas....I'm sure you'll get other responses.

Good luck!

JSD45 · 01-18-2009, 12:57 PM

Please stay in Michigan. Your husband will not make enough money for the two of you, let a lone kids. The SFPD is one of the most morally bankrupt in the U.S, as in the leadership sucks. The cops might be fine, but the leadership is awful.

Michigan might be cold, but it's a better place to raise kids than the morally bankrupt bay area.

CMKM-Miller · 01-18-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajividen

We currently live in MI and want a change of pace and scenery. My husband is 33 and we have 3 children aged 7, 5 and 2. He is currently not a police officer. Is this a totally crazy idea?? Where would be the best places to live in the surronding area and is it possible to live on a police officers salary??I would more than likely get a job as well, I have a B.A. in Public Relations. Where are good places to raise our family? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

A police officer in San Francisco? That's almost an oxymoron. You couldn't pay me a million dollars a year for that job. Your husband will be public enemy #1 in that city. The public will despise him and he will be near powerless to do the job he should be doing. Gavin Newsome, the mayor, Heather Fong, the police chief, and Kamela Harris, the DA are all embarassments to their professions.

The crime rate in the city only appears to be low because reports aren't taken. They can't solve any homicides, let alone the DA won't prosecute with any vigor. But hey, if that's what he wants, I won't stop him.

jajividen · 01-18-2009, 04:08 PM

Thanks to all who have answered so far...I really appreciate it...these are the types of things you can't learn unless you actually live there and experience it...We are thinking of other places but SF was on the top of the list and being a cop is something that we do NOT agree on!!

naomisday · 01-18-2009, 05:44 PM

Jajividen,

With 3 kids and a husband...I would say consider moving to another part of the
country...

In the Bay Area, you do have to make a lot of money...especially with a family......

ffknight918 · 01-19-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwoodlvr

My dad was a cop. It's rough in San Francisco. Being in law enforcement is no joke and he will change and it will impact your family -- it's the nature of the work. Just a heads up to really think about it.

Does he have any interest in being a fire fighter? Might be tough with a young family, but I recommend this over SFPD. But who am I to say?! And you don't know me. LOL. If he wants to do it, he's probably going to do it anyway. Think you probably have to ask him and check in with yourself - make sure it will work with your family.

I have no opinion on the areas....I'm sure you'll get other responses.

Good luck!

Problem with being a firefighter is that it's almost impossible. They just took applications in November for the first time in years. 14,000 people applied. I flew in from Milwaukee to stand in line to just hand in my application. I'm already a firefighter here which will help me out with SFFD, but still stand a very small chance since SFFD has some stupid rules that will take locals over me if they want even if I do better on the test.

sunbelt · 01-20-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajividen

Thanks to all who have answered so far...I really appreciate it...these are the types of things you can't learn unless you actually live there and experience it...We are thinking of other places but SF was on the top of the list and being a cop is something that we do NOT agree on!!

On the other hand, you could come and join the force and with your integrety, high standards, you would rise threw the ranks from detective to commisioner and then city console and then mayor and bring about sweeping changes to make SF one of the most law-abideing and safest places to live, receiving awards and articles in newspapers and magazines and guest appearances on morning talk shows, writing a book, etc.

City Boy · 01-20-2009, 11:29 AM

Don't SFPD cops with experience start at 65-70K? I know in Oakland they start them at 80K if they have experience and give them alot of overtime and a 20k Home buying incentive signing bonus. If you get a job too it can be done there are alot of people who live in the bay area who make alot less than that, with the same amount of kids and sometimes more.