No one is happy!

one agent is from kpd and ahppy to be FROM! FDLE should recruit, if possible, from KPD. the brass are corrupt but the loyal ten year hitchers are generally good boots on the ground. things may not be the best at fdle but it is HEAVEN compared to kpd. just because the officers did not investigate kpd before being hired probably means that they will not make that mistake twice and acquired the necessary investigatory skills for survival. lesson learned, maybe.

I think things are fine at FDLE. Sure, there are problems, as there are anywhere. But, in all FDLE is a pretty good job. I think the majority of the *****ers wouldn't be happy if you tripled their salaries and cut their hours in half. Some people just aren't happy unless they *****. Every agency has them.

Guest,

Good hear someone making a positive comment about FDLE.

As a prospective applicant, it would be nice to hear some of the PRO's about FDLE other than the typical gripes.

I'd have to say this is the best job I've had in 20 years of law enforcement.

There are many great aspects to this job. One is the variety of crimes that you can work. I have worked just about everything you can think of in my 19 year career; homicide, drugs, fraud, computer crime, sex crimes, human trafficking, art theft, missing persons, money laundering, and so on.

Working governor's details, I have met celebrities, presidents, athletes and other famous people that I probably would have never had the opportunity to meet.

I have always had a nice vehicle to drive and for the most part the equipment that I am issued is top notch. The department is in the process of buying any agent that wants one a baby Glock for a dept issued back-up. I average about $20,000 in overtime a year.

I work whatever hours that I choose and don't feel like I'm under the thumb of my supervisor. As a matter of fact, I'm detached to a unit with a local agency and sometimes go weeks without even talking to my supervisor.

I have traveled all over the country and twice out of the country on FDLE business (cases, conferences and training). I have become proficient in several areas and systems that have opened up the opportunity for some lucrative post retirement jobs.

Those are the things that I can think of but I'm sure that there are more. As I said in my first post, there are some negative aspects to the job that I doubt differ from the problems with any government agency. There was a time that I *****ed and moaned about things and took everything to heart but I got over that. I realized that I only made things bad for myself and others around me when I did that. I don't own FDLE and I'm sure that if I were the one making the descisions that there would be many that would complain about what I did. You just have to learn to enjoy life and make the best of any situation.

I guess it's true what they say, it's all what you make of it. Hope that helps.

I've been with FDLE for a lot less time than Ghost, but I agree with you. There is no perfect agency, but FDLE you do enjoy working various cases with little micromanaging. I know from coming from a local PD being an Agent it seems that you get a lot of respect from other Agencies. Now if we can just get the legislature to stop cutting our budget.

Thank you for the positive posts.

I am going to be applying to FDLE and see how the coin lands.

I can handle the pay issue as I am financially sound but like others I would like to progress financially. Hopefully the Florida legislature will see the light and increase the salaries.

I do have a question, Guest you mentioned you made approx. $20K in OT, is OT difficult to get or can an SA work off duty details or jobs?

I reside in South Florida so making a couple of extra duckets would be nice.

How is the retirement and benefits?

Lastly, I hear a lot about how the Miami area is difficult to staff, would you happen to know who many positions are currently open out of the Miami Regional Operations Center? AND what exactly does a Racino Unit do or more specifically what is the duties involved for an SA assigned to such a Racino Unit?

Of course all the questions are non-issue if I don't get through the competitive hiring process, still I am hoping for the best.

Thank you for any info you can share.

Your welcome. As far as the pay goes, I think it’s pretty good. I am just a lowly agent and I made about $80,000 last year. For North Florida I think that’s a respectable salary. In South Florida you could add $6,000 to that (I think) with the CAD. Overtime is very easy to get so long as it’s reimbursed. I work dope so it’s is pretty much unlimited. There are a few off-duty jobs, mainly escorting jewelry dealers from store to store. I know that there are other opportunities in South Florida but I haven’t worked down there in many years so I’m not familiar with them.

The state retirement system is pretty good. 3% per year and the final figure is an average of your highest 5 years of service. There is also DROP which is a great thing.

I know that they always have openings in Miami, although a lot of them are unfilled positions that they never fill. They use those to get extra money for themselves. They just had several taken away from them that will be reallocated to other offices that have needed the positions for years. The Racino Squad monitors the gaming operations and conducts any investigations that involve them. My understanding is that there are agents assigned shifts and that there is always an agent or two in the casino around the clock. Maybe someone from Miami can give you more info on that.

Good luck.

To the FDLE agent who travels all over has met many famous people...
1. Where do you work and are there any openings?
2. What exactly is in that kool aid?

All joking aside, the reality is that all state law enforcement is in a serious
budget crisis. No overtime, no training that costs money, travel is a crap shoot, etc.

Is anyone concerned that the MN. bridge tradegy may affect our future for pay raises?

Sorry folks, gotta call em as I ceim.

I am the agent that you are talking to. I work for FDLE in North Florida. What are you questioning? Yes, we are having budget problems just like every other public service agency in the state is right now, city, county and state. Even federal agencies are broke right now with all of our tax dollars going to Iraq and the so called "War on Terror". The Governor's idea of saving the average Floridian a little money has caused upheaval with all government agencies, FDLE is not alone in this. We have been through this before and I'm sure we will go through it again. Can you believe it, we survived. And as I said, if you work O/T that is reimbursed from other sources, at least in my office, you can pretty much work all you want. I have put in 50-60 hours so far since July 1 and have been to one great school and traveled out of state once and to South Florida once, on cases of course. Travel has been limited for vacations, I mean, conferences, statewide meetings and the like, which I agree with completely.

Hang in there. It will get better. Oh yes, we will have a few opening in my office soon. Keep an eye out.

To Guest FDLE Worker in North Florida,

You may not be aware of it, but ALL overtime in Miami has been canceled, Even reimbursable Overtime being paid by Federal or Municipal agencies. The disparity between Operation Centers being allowed overtime needs to be addressed by the Union, because from your posting, the North Operation Centers aren't even aware of it. We can't work Ovetime and we have limited off duty jobs because FHP and the other State agencies need those just to survive. I'm glad you're doing well with 20K overtime up North, but in Miami you'll be lucky to make a few thousand in OT the entire year.

To Miami Guest,

What would the approximate take home pay be for a new agent assigned to Miami Regional Operations Center ? Ball park figure given standard deductions.

Also, regarding pay issues are cost of living adjustments a yearly thing or are the salary increase issues one and the same as the COLA ? ie. is there still some sort of yearly raise even if it is just cost of living allowance?

Is there any other info you an share as it relates to Racino work? ie. how long would one have to work in a "racino" before they could move onto other investigative duties?

Thank you for any information.

To Guest and Miami Guest...The truth about FDLE is that while it is an agency made up of some fine professionals, it started losing its experience and expertise several years ago with Commissioner Tim Moore. Commissioner Tunnell tried to turn things around with a real cop attitude, until a good ole boy attitude got him in political hot water. Commissioner Bailey is little more than a Tim Moore clone. FDLE can't pay to recruit experienced cops, so they recruit secretaries internally and train them to become certified law enforcement, or Law Enforcement from other agencies with degrees, but limited experience...Who else can you afford for $50K with no step plan and no career path. Again, it is an agency made up of several fine individuals, but as an agency, it is smoke and mirrors....a lot of fluff that looks like a police agency stuffed with civilians in cop's clothes. I am not sour grapes, I gave much of my life to FDLE. The real cops stick together trying to make a difference...But, the system is what the system is....Good luck with your career decisions. If I had to do it over, I would have gone to a large police department long ago...

By the way, I would seriously doubt the Guest comments about working unlimited overtime in North Florida. Miami used to be the only region where you could get away with that...As for reimburseable overtime....HIDTA, DEA Task Force and Drug Control Council all have caps....it is impossible for a $50K agent to make $30K in overtime with FDLE....And, if a senior agent is making $60K to $65K a year I still find it difficult to believe they made $10K in overtime and "if" they did, they are alone...Trust me....Every Agent at FDLE will NEVER be able to make that OT....Anyone that says otherwise simply doesn't understand the system....

A 10 Year Agent with all of the bonuses and pay incentives that have been awarded won't make more than $60K. Honesty is the best policy....Again, good luck to you.

FDLE will make you happy as long as you know what you are getting into. If you are looking for a police career, you need to go to a police department....

Real Deal,

I was a so called "real cop" for 10 years at a PD, and I do still consider myself a real cop. I work cases and am in the street every day, although it's not patrol. There are ups and downs like any dept, but where else do you get the freedom and flexibility to work cases? and not hump bs burglaries and hump cr's. OT is an issue and I agree it needs to be fixed. I also whole heartedly agree with the SAT program being crap. We do not need assistants and clerks as Agents. Let them pay their dues like most Agents. You can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. I've been down the *****in and griping route at my old dept and would rather not go down it again.

North Florida Guest here. Sorry you doubt what I say "Real Deal" but it is true. I have been on going on 18 years, not 10, and I really have averaged about $20,000 in O/T for the past 5 years or so. My final salary last year was just a hair over $78,000 last year and last year was a little lower in O/T than the previous couple of years.

You are correct, "every" FDLE SA will not be able to make that in O/T because you actually have to work the hours to earn it. By the way, there is no longer the $10,000 cap on OCDETF and the cap is $10,000 on VCDCC, per case. Can't tell you about HIDTA, not in on that one.

I was an SAT many years ago and while I do know that there have been some screw ups that came from that program, there have been some stars also. I feel that in my region, I am as good or better an agent than any of the "real cops". But we could argue about that all day, we should just agree to disagree on that one.

Again, FDLE, like any other job is what you make of it. You can *****, complain and call everyone else liars, or you can do you job, work hard and have a little fun from time to time. The ones doing the bad mouthing of the agency are usually the ones who sit at their desk, constantly *****ing about how unfair everything is and never putting anyone in jail. Try to ease up a little and appreciate what you have instead of complaining about what you think you don't have and you might feel a little better.

North Florida Guest,

Would you happen to know anything about the Miami Operations Center as it relates to morale, variety of cases etc...

Also, would you happen to know what newly hired agents are generally assigned to in the Miami Office?

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, all I could tell you about Miami is that if you doubled my salary I still wouldn't want to work there.

I am glad that you have done so well. I know a few SAT's that have done great things. Please do not take offense to my comments about the direction of the Agency. FDLE lost the COP vision a long time ago. The COP vision is held by the few, and you appear to be one of them. You are the exception not the rule with the SAT program. As for the pay, with 20 years on and living in south Florida, of course I believe you pull down $80K. But, it is unrealistic to allow a new Agent to believe that money is out there for them. The HIDTA and DEA Task Force assignments are few and far between. The DCC cases can be generated only if you work drugs and there is an annual cap on that as well. A worker bee can get into these assignments when all the stars align. I am not sour on FDLE, just honest about it.

why is it you would not want to work in Miami, is it the work itself, or just that it is "South Florida"? ie. cost of living...

IS IT TRUE FDLE MARK PEREZ WILL BE THE NEW FHP COLONEL?

No. To much class.

Ya mean that FHP has too much class? I agree.

No offense, we have remained respectful on this sight please let's not start.

NO, MP is not leaving.

You "FDLE Agents" are too funny. You gripe about only earning a few thousand dollars a year in overtime and go on to say that "80k a year is a respectable salary in North Florida" Yeah, I would say so.

The sense of entitlement most of you have is truly amazing. You are so out of touch with reality it's almost comical.

HEY ANYONE WANT A JOB AT FHP :D

Sorry, if you read my post thoroughly you would realize I am not complaining, just calling it like it is...As long as you know what FDLE is about, you will be happy....Look at the SAC's and ASAC's around the state...Give a good look at their experience...Then look at the SAS's and Inspectors...Give a good look at their experience. If you work for a supervisor that allows you to do what you want and work your cases, you are in luck....I have had the good fortune to do just that....But, there are too many that do not know what they are doing because they lack the experience, FDLE lacks the $$$ and vision to go after the $$$ to hire the qualified people that we used to hire. Don't get me wrong, we have hired quality people. But, quality is not qualified. My words were not meant to offend...But, I have traveled around this state...Our reputation is not what it used to be...Ask yourself, who in your region is qualified as a expert in Major Drugs, Racketeering, Money Laundering, Terrorism, Child Sex Crimes, Serial Rape, Serial Homicide, etc...We are losing that expertise and replacing it with kids that have never worked cases...If I sound like I am complaining then it is only because I care...And, I am being honest with any applicant that would consider an FDLE career...If you know what you are doing, chances are you will work for someone that does not...If you know that coming in, you are better off...Remember, under Tim Moore we lost the focus on experience and pay....that hasn't changed. We also became "jack of all trades and masters of none"....Think about the goofy programs we have jumped into for political expediency....Safe Kids I, Safe Kids II, chasing DCF runaways, Operation Southern Sweep working traffic interdiciton...Look at the budget cuts, selling our aircraft because they are not mission critical...If we, as a premier law enforcement agency running surveillances ALL of the TIME for major cases don't use or recognize the value of air craft, then who will....I simply see decisions being made by non-police officers in an agency that I thought was a police agency....It makes more sense to realize that we stopped being a police agency and became leo's at a civilian department a long time ago....It helps me sleep better at night. Remember, I am not disgruntled, just realistic...If you really are who you say you are, you have seen around the state that I am correct....

By the way Mr. N. Florida Agent with 18 years...as you relay your boast to potential new agents, it would seem appropriate to tell them that the truth in today's FDLE is that they start around $50K, they receive a 2 to 3 percent raise if and only if the legislature approve it and they receive the newly created agent retention plan when and only when the legislature allows it to creep into the budget....Given those facts, if they hang around for 18 years, they will be at your $80K...The problem is that given inflation, $80K will be worth about $35K by the time they reach it....I am not trying to pick a fight with you...Just be realistic and try not to boast....I am glad you have done so well, but I am certain that you are amongst less than 5 percent of the agency receiving 20K in OT....That does not happen around the state and I bet it doesn't happen much in your region...

Supervisors in TROC, except for one, have a lot of local sworn experience.

SAIC- 25 Years including SO in Manatee County
ASAC- 25 Years including SO in Leon County
ASAC- 30 Years including time with Pensacola PD
SAS- 35 Years including time with Ft. Lauderdale PD
SAS- 25 Years including time Pompano Beach PD
SAS- 20 Years but previous experience was SAT and Lab Tech

Having a lot of sworn experience in upper management and actually knowing how to use it are two different things. To be honest when I started in law enforcement 18 years ago, I did not even know what FDLE stood for until I went to the academy. Being raised in Miami Dade, I can tell you know that no one knew that the agency ever existed since all of the local municipalities handle their own criminal investigations or receive assistance from Metro. Most locals see FDLE as trying to be a mini FBI. I think what Real Deal was referring too is the fact that without street experience, how can you really expect some kid straight out of college to be able to investigate serious crimes. Your best investigators draw from the road experience that they gained on the streets.

F D L E .... Forget About Doing Law Enforcement

You probably do not work for FDLE or are too lazy to work a case. Stop *****ing and leave if it sucks that bad!

Easy big fella....if you can't laugh and have fun with yourself and the place you work, you're wound up way to tight....besides people have been saying that about us forever, just chill out. I believe in this agency and the good we do, what I don't believe and will never buy into is that we are the "premier" agency in the state...we aren't better and we should not think we are. We don't ever need to get the attitude of the FBI....the Fumbling Bumbling Idiots/Forever Bothering Italians....lol....thank you I'll be here all week....gotta a few more...

FHP - Free & Half Price
ABT - Always Bothering Teenagers
DEA - Drunk Every Afternoon/Don't Expect Anything

Don't forget these timeless classics:

FBI - Famous But Incompetent

FHP - Florida's Hispanic Police

ABT - Anything But Training

DOT - Do Another Truck

Good ones, had forgotten those.....

FDLE= Forever Doing Little Errands

I have to say guys, your agency and the inquiring minds on here are like a breath of fresh air. You all speak to each other with respect and can carry on conversations on this site.
I am a PO in Miami Dade County and I am so disgruntled at the way the officers communicate on here...even in the spouse "support" forum.
Props to you guys for being professional. Take a peak at the southern municipalities and see for yourself. It's brutal.
Whatever FDLE is doing in their hiring process, they are doing something right. You all seem pretty content.

Having a lot of sworn experience in upper management and actually knowing how to use it are two different things. To be honest when I started in law enforcement 18 years ago, I did not even know what FDLE stood for until I went to the academy. Being raised in Miami Dade, I can tell you know that no one knew that the agency ever existed since all of the local municipalities handle their own criminal investigations or receive assistance from Metro. Most locals see FDLE as trying to be a mini FBI. I think what Real Deal was referring too is the fact that without street experience, how can you really expect some kid straight out of college to be able to investigate serious crimes. Your best investigators draw from the road experience that they gained on the streets.

I agree. I wanted to apply for FDLE right out of college, but I wouldn't have been comfortable without street knowledge first. So here I sit in Miami Dade....My eyes open wider every shift I work. It's a necessity.

I agree with you South Fl PO. I worked for a city PD for 7 years and have been with FDLE for about 2 years. The organization is very professional and you're treated like an adult. Like any agency there are pros and cons. But all in all it was a great move for me. There is not much day to day *****ing as you would find at a PD or at least my old dept. Good luck and stay safe.

Who is he ? and does he have to approve your hiring at FDLE?.

I have to say guys, your agency and the inquiring minds on here are like a breath of fresh air. You all speak to each other with respect and can carry on conversations on this site.
I am a PO in Miami Dade County and I am so disgruntled at the way the officers communicate on here...even in the spouse "support" forum.
Props to you guys for being professional. Take a peak at the southern municipalities and see for yourself. It's brutal.
Whatever FDLE is doing in their hiring process, they are doing something right. You all seem pretty content.

Amen, it's embarassing the way some supposed cops post on their respective sites. The incessant complaining, mud-slinging, cursing- it's just abominable. To think the general public & media have access to this stuff- oy vey- it makes me sick & truly shows our worst side, an immature one at that.

Altho I'm a South Florida LEO w/more than 25 years on the job, I jump aroud on other leoaffairs sites in other locales outside of FLA & they don't have anything going on like FLA agencies do. It really does embarrass us.