If the pay is not great, how are the benefits & policies

Thank you to all the posters who have contributed to this board, I found most of it informative and I found the acronyms in the other thread to be rather funny.

I'm interested in applying to FDLE. I know all about the pay issue (thanks to this board), but I'm also interested in some of the other small things I might expect working for FDLE.

1. Is the health insurance very good?
2. How much do you pay towards your health insurance?
2. How much vacation time/holiday time per year would a new FDLE employee receive?
3. Is it difficult to use your vacation/holiday time? Or do you find most time off requests are granted?
4. Can I wear a goatee or a beard as an FDLE employee?
5. Cars? Does everyone receive a take-home car, or did that get nixed in the recent budget cuts? If so, are the cars decent or falling apart? Is there any personal use of take-home cars? Are most marked or are most unmarked?
6. Can I carry an AR-15 or a shotgun in the trunk of my car?
7. Do you feel your agency backs you up and looks out for you?
8. Are there any other good benefits or good policies that encourage you to stay with FDLE?

Any answers would be appreciated, thanks.

1. Is the health insurance very good? (Decent, several plans to choose from that vary depending on what part of the state you are assigned)

2. How much do you pay towards your health insurance? (Single is free/Family is about 200/month. BTW, Retirement [3%/year] is paid fully by the state, no employee contribution with a 5 year DROP at the end)

2. How much vacation time/holiday time per year would a new FDLE employee receive? (Vacation 4-8 hours /pay period depending on longevity; sick 4 hours /pay period ).

3. Is it difficult to use your vacation/holiday time? Or do you find most time off requests are granted? (Time off is rarely a problem. With our flexible work schedule we almost never have to burn it because you can just flex it or make it up at the end of you 28 day cycle)

4. Can I wear a goatee or a beard as an FDLE employee? (Yes, neatly trimmed)

5. Cars? Does everyone receive a take-home car, or did that get nixed in the recent budget cuts? If so, are the cars decent or falling apart? (Every sworn member has a take home car. They are for the most part pretty decent. Seniority will get you newer and/or a new car and then its how you take care of it.)

Is there any personal use of take-home cars? (Not officially, but ...nobody's watching as long as you are not bar hopping or acting stupid)

Are most marked or are most unmarked? (All unmarked and a variety from Crown Vics to SUV's, pickups and other non descript UC vehicles)

6. Can I carry an AR-15 or a shotgun in the trunk of my car? (Yes, Most agents are issued both.)

7. Do you feel your agency backs you up and looks out for you? (You do what your supposed to, they will support you and back you in a jam. Loyalty is a two way street. Many cops forget that and then can't believe that since they have been a slug and badmouthed the agency/supervisor for 10 years and then when they get into a jam, nobody is there.)

8. Are there any other good benefits or good policies that encourage you to stay with FDLE? (The state pays what the state pays, and the benefits are set. Nevertheless, FDLE Agents generally, except for a hot case or special assignment, don't work weekends or holidays; daily schedules are extremely flexible and since we are not a primary response agency, get to filter our cases to ensure we don't waste resources on matters that do not garner statewide jurisdiction. Five primary focus areas.

Violent Crime- Homicide especially cold cases and serial genre
Economic Crime- $100,000 minimums and again multi victim/multi jurisdiction
Major Drugs- Trafficking and major money laundering
Domestic Security- Intelligence and investigations on issues of concern to the state of Florida
Public Integrity- Statutorily mandated to investigate matters by order of the Governor.

I love it here. My suggestion for new cops is go get street experience and then come here in a few years if you like investigative work. My suggestion for old cops, if you like investigations, then come here and do it our way. If you don't like that go back home.

Still FDLE

That was a great post and very informative....

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. One more plus for this board.

What about region placement? I know the order of the agency takes priority, but will they attempt to keep you in you geographical area if there are openings?

What happens if you cant sell your house, the real estate market isnt exactly seller friendly...

I know that FHP gaurantees geographical placement because it is a major problem with many aspiring applicants...

What about region placement? Obviously Miami Region openings are a priority to fill. If you are willing to go there, you'll get hired much faster.

Nevertheless, you know where your going before you get hired and once you're there, you stay as long as long as you want. There is a 3 year minimum on your first assignment before you can request a transfer to another office.

They will work with you on time to sell your home within reason. It gets back to the previous post. If you are a good employee, pulling your own weight, you'll get much more consideration than the whiner/complainer.

That sounds fair...

I live in S FLorida... do any new agents go to feild offices? (broward/palm beach), or does everyone start at the regional office in Miami?

thanks for earlier post

You could be assigned to a Regional Operations Center (ROC) or Field Office depending on the need.

In Miami, since they are so geographically close to each other, you might even be moved around to both, but you would not have to move. It's not your car, gas or tires.

Great....

What about fire arms? Issued or can I qual with my H&K's?

[flasam]

Glock, Glock or hmmm....Glock

The department recently transiitoned to all Glocks in an effort to standardize training, ammo, holsters, etc.

You are issued a duty and off-duty weapon of your choice (small, medium or large frame), (.40 or 9mm).

STILL FDLE,

Thank you for taking the time to answer the posters questions.

As a possible applicant to FDLE, your replies to the questions are informative and greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the firearm info... As much as I would hate not to be able to use the weapon's that I have become accustomed too over the last 7 years, (H&K -USP45 and P2000sk), I look forward to the possibility of obtaining employment within your agency…. thanks for the info again...

Good luck. Law enforcement has been a great career (26 years next month) and FDLE is a great state agency to work for.

Still FDLE I appreciate your honesty on this board. A quick question for you. I've worked for a big agency in S. Florida for five years and I have three years of college. I'm an FTO on the road and have TONS of training in narcotics and gangs but I've never been a detective. I was told when I inquired with HR that even though I'm FL LEO with five years, not having the paper degree would be a problem and most likely not hired.

Cut to a couple of weeks ago I'm shooting at a local range and helping out a guy with his firearm. He tells me he just got hired with FDLE and wanted to learn about shooting. I asked what experience he had and he said "just a Masters in Criminal Justice". Not a cop. Mid-twenties. Only a masters...and he got hired.

Is this the hiring trend? I was always under the impression guys went to FDLE after years of police work. Some captains and majors, guys from homicide etc. But hiring a guy right out of college seems like a mistake.

Tell me I'm wrong and I still have a chance.

FDLE's Special Agent hiring practices have been a moving target for years. It has vacillated back and forth from education and experience to just experience being the driving force. The changes are based upon departmental needs and philosophical desires of the management du jour.

The current Commissioner (Gerald Bailey) has decided that under his watch, education is the primary factor and experience can be gained in the police academy, special agent academy or on the job. He has stated, we can train someone to "be a detective." Like it or not, he also is faced with filling a large number of open positions with capable people while at the same time fulfilling a minority hiring/promotion mandate from higher up.

I can tell you that those of us who have prior law enforcement experience in a local setting have a vastly different opinion regarding the importance of "experience." You probably can teach someone interview techniques and report writing. What you cannot teach in the FDLE setting is the "cop street smarts." Those skills that will allow you to skillfully interview or keep you safe during those confrontations that inevitably come during a law enforcement officer's career (even at FDLE).

Those police survival skills only come with realistic experience gained on patrol, on the street, in a uniform, at night, being a cop. Experience gained from being stared at while your eating, learning to read the bad guys next move, making everyday arrests and traffic stops and learning by reacting to a stressful, possibly violent person. No amount of classroom or practical paint ball drills will get you that.

Nevertheless, we have a leader, he has set the direction for "today" and those of us who are loyal will carry the flag and make the best of a not so perfect situation. We have been through this before over the years and hopefully management will change their philosophy before the department again suffers an experience void as in the past. If not, mistakes will increase and productivity decrease resulting in another management change as in the past.

This question concerns the PAT Test. The requirements seem to be set criteria. Is there any consideration for age? Are these requirements the same whether you are 25 or 45? Any answers would be helpful.

The physical agility test for FDLE seems to have changed as often as the job requirements. Currently, there are no age allowances in the requirements. These requirements are slated to be changed again in January of 2008, but I doubt they will be age adjusted.

After all of the litigation centered on fairness and ADA requirements, a reasonably healthy and active adult should be able to pass these tests with few problems.

To Still FDLE, I never thought I would post on this sight but I feel obligated to thank you for the intelligent, informative replies you have made. I am just starting the app process (15 yrs LEO, BA degree) and have found your info very helpful. If you really are an Agent and not an HR plant (kidding), I hope co-workers like you are around if I do get hired. After reading other agencies forums, including my own agency, I have found most filled with juvenile bickering, name calling and completely embarrassing nonsense. Although I am currently in a different part of the state, I am hoping, if hired, to get a northeast/Jacksonville area assignment. Besides being slightly lofty is it completely unrealistic? I am assuming the assignment is at the need of the Department. Thanks again.

Still FDLE, you have been extremely helpfull and represent your agency very well.... Thanks for all the detail....
Heres another question for you....

What types of questions may I find on the basic skills test/written exam/interview?

thanks again....

To Another Guest- Good luck in your quest for JROC. I believe they have openings and I would suggest you proactively call the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for wherever you want to work and talk with him/her about current and future openings. Introduce yourself and your qualifications. For the most part, each Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) gets to pick their regional hires. If they know you, they can BOLO for you.

Just remember, FDLE is a police department. Just like all rest, we have our share of shining stars and wet candles. You won't find too many of the shining stars here in this forum. I used to come here just to read and get a kick out of all the madness that people post. You can also gather some intel on your co-workers. If your a sharp investigator, you listen to what's being said at the water cooler, then you can read between the lines and ID the wet candles.

As for the the written test, its just general aptitude that will be a breeze for most who can read and comprehend, then answer a few logical questions. It's not the LSAT. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that even with a college diploma these days people can read and write. Though they are few, some actually fail this test, and at least we are not having to send new hires for remedial literacy classes.

Good luck to you both.

Thank you again... stay safe....

I've noticed a lot of talk about new hires going to the Miami area. While the job interests me, I'm not real interested in moving to Miami. How are the prospects for openings in Orlando currently? Is there any preference for state LEO's working for other state agencies to stay in their current assigned areas? Thank you for your help.

Can someone tell me or where to look for what is expexted on the PAT test. I am 53 years old , major crimes investigator, recently retired, and think of coming to FDLE. Also where are the tests administered ? Thanks..

I just completed them this last weekend

1 1/2 mile run minimum approx 15:20
puch ups minimum 19
sit ups within a minute min 27
verticle jump minimum 16 "

They were done in Tallahassee...

Thank you for the information. Did they put you up for the night or is it on your dime? Any other tips would be greatly apprecaited.. Have you taken the oral interview yet?

Better hope you don't have any disciplinary actions in your jacket if you are applying. The head of FDLE wants only squeaky clean people. He must of never been a real cop if he didn't have at least a couple of pieces of paper in his jacket. Probably a political appointee with no experience. Also you will be put into a casino for 3 years before you can actually do any real police work.

Guest234,

Could you elaborate on the duties within the racino's? I would imagine it is shift work. Are you conducting any investigations or just on call? What specifically would an SA be doing while on shift?

Any additional information you could share would be appreciated.