Pros and cons of LPD

Hello people,

Can someone tell me pros and cons of this particular department?
Is it good department to work for? How many districts?
Schedule 4 on 4 off? Possibilities for OT?
How is the Union? How is the city, a lot of action?


Thanks all.

Thanks for all of the input!

I agree, futureleo.

It seems that the people who comment on this website only want to gripe and complain. Come guys, how about telling us some good things about the department. What are some things that LPD is doing right for its officers? Or at least better than other surrounding departments…

Pay?
Training?
Schedule?
Equipment?

Future Leo- You’ll have to excuse the lack of response simply because many of the readers on this site were simply turned off by many of your questions. Some are, quite frankly, jaded to say the least.

While LPD has been a great agency for me, some would disagree.

Pros: Competitive salary (highest paid). Shift differential that is based upon which “squad” you are assigned (3% or 5%). Uniforms and a majority of equipment are provided by the agency. Dry cleaning is also provided by the city. A take-home vehicle (after field training) if you live within 15 miles (straight line distance) of the main police station.

Cons: We have been the most scrutinized agency within in Florida for about the last year. We had several highly publicized issues to the point where simple little mistakes that were made several years ago trigger knee jerk reactions from the Mayor, City Commission, City Manager, Chief’s Office, Office of Professional Standards, Executive Staff, Senior Staff, Middle Management, the local newspaper/media, the State Attorney’s Office and any mouth breather with a pulse.

The other “cons” are the same cons you’d find anywhere else. We want more money for less work. We complain about something even if it’s nothing. We try to compare our benefits package to Tampa. We want to make as much, if not more, than Tampa. We have slugs who try harder to get out of work than just doing the job in first place. We have the Kool-Aid drinkers who worship certain idols within the agency so they can get their piece of the pie. Some would argue it’s a popularity contest for certain positions or assignments. We have certain “specialty units” or “assignments” that get more attention than others. There are “untouchables” who walk among/above us. There are “targeted” employees who have long careers ahead.

We contribute a little more than the average bear toward our pension. However, if you were to compare the work/benefit ratio our starting Officers bring home about the same if not just a little more than a Deputy. We can only hope that as the economy continues to shift to the better, so does our pension.

Districts: North and South. Sectors: NW, NE, SW, SE. Zones: 9

Schedule:
Alpha/Delta Squad: Day Shift 12hr
Bravo/Charlie Squad: Night 12hr (3% Shift Diff)

Power Squads
Sun-Wed: 1130-2200 (5%)
Sun-Wed: 1730-0400 (5%)
Wed-Sat: 1130-2200 (5%)
Wed-Sat: 1730-0400 (5%)

You’ll most likely end up on Power if you were to start within the next few months. There is talk of disbanding, but it’ll be believed when it its achieved.

Possibilities of OT- Lots of unfilled details because some don’t want to work anything more than they have to for fear of being targeted. Others are simply making so much money at work, why work more than you have to. Others are just spoiled and feel like a few hours here and a few hours there is not worth their time of dressing out in uniform.

The Union is PBA, another wonderful source of contention. Some love it. Some hate it. There are many who have withdrawn from the union because of many politically motivated problems. There are some who are jaded because the union didn't put up a fight their liking. Some have opinions of the President and/or the reps. For a little over $16.00 a check, you have an attorney if you get jammed up on the job. Your dues also provide an insurance policy. You can make your own choice.

The City is one of approximately 100,000 in population. We have our fair share of crime. We have have lots of shootings, stabbings, and other “action” as you call it. And don’t worry, as brand new rookie, you’ll get plenty of those reports. We’re down personnel so you’ll be taking calls for service for at least 15 minutes, then you’ll feel like you’re seasoned, most of us refer to it as entitled, and immediately put in for some specialized unit where you’ll hide for the rest of your career because it doesn't matter if we’re short manpower, we have to keep certain Kool-Aid drinking untouchables happy.

I’m sure there will be some hurtfeelioma as a result of this post. But I can tell you that I still like working here. But don’t think for a moment that any other agency on the planet does NOT have some of the same problems we do. Despite our issues, we are a professional organization, and we have many who strive for excellence. We have our weaker links and our problem children. We have our golden boys. We have our Super stars. We even have our down to earth, run of the mill, employees. You’ll quickly learn who to take after, and who to avoid.

Welcome aboard- Enjoy the ride.

Guest Services,

Awesome post. Very well articulated. That was very informative and did not feel like you were motivated by some “agenda” or desire to just complain.

THANK YOU

[Unregistered]

The pension fund is a disaster waiting to happen so make sure you save for retirement.