[volsbear]

How do you really know you want one? Are you even SURE?


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[4949shooter]

For the extra money?

Yeah, I'm sure.

[collim1]

The alternative is to be in my boat and be supervised by guys you trained 5 years ago. I passed on several promotional exams and stand by that decision still, but I am working for guys with less experience than myself. If you're not careful you'll be working for a zit faced 23 year old with big ol butt kissing lips.

The problem with some depts is if you pass on a promotion it can get locked in for several years before anything opens up.

We had a mass exodus 8 years ago of people retiring all at once, guys who passed on the promotion exam were stuck for a long time.

I am not a fan of my current administration and getting promoted puts me one rung closer to the fire. Besides I enjoy patrol.

[blueiron]

If you are reluctant, do it. PDs everywhere need reluctant leaders, not raging self-loving egos that believe they deserve it.

If you get promoted, then throw all doubt to the wind and lead from the front. Even if you make the wrong decision, remember this: there is nothing worse than paralysis by analysis.

[collim1]

Originally Posted by blueiron

Even if you make the wrong decision, remember this: there is nothing worse than paralysis by analysis.

I like that.

[GRIMLET]

Paralysis by analysis

I like that !!!


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[4949shooter]

Originally Posted by blueiron

If you are reluctant, do it. PDs everywhere need reluctant leaders, not raging self-loving egos that believe they deserve it.

If you get promoted, then throw all doubt to the wind and lead from the front. Even if you make the wrong decision, remember this: there is nothing worse than paralysis by analysis.

It's one thing to make the wrong decision. We can clean up the mess later.

But at least MAKE a decision. Some "leaders" can't do it.

[volsbear]

Originally Posted by 4949shooter

For the extra money?

Yeah, I'm sure.

It's not a financial windfall, that's for sure. I'd lose a lot of what I like about life. I'd essentially ride a desk at 38 years of age.


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[3Speedyfish3]

I was promoted 3 months before I was eligible for retirement (23 and out). I lost my considerable seniority as a patrolman and my weekends off. I am very happy with my decision. I'm able to supervise and teach the new guys and make the first-line decisions I know need to be made. It is not for everyone, but it fit for me. Of course, sergeant is my ceiling. I'm still a cop after all!

Randall

[Ducowti]

Originally Posted by 4949shooter

It's one thing to make the wrong decision. We can clean up the mess later.

But at least MAKE a decision. Some "leaders" can't do it.

I've got that Sgt. I often have to make up his mind. Sometimes for fun I get in his wheelhouse just to see him squirm a bit.


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[lawman800]

I have gone through that a few times and while I was pretty reluctant, I shuddered at the thought that some other guy who is going to be worse will get the job and I will suffer for it and kick myself every day when I go to work.

[Wil Ufgood]

Didn't want to, but with 22 in, had to think about my pension. Regret it everyday.

[Cochese]

I reluctantly put in for a first line supervisor position here. They came to their senses and promoted three others instead. lol

[4949shooter]

Originally Posted by volsbear

It's not a financial windfall, that's for sure. I'd lose a lot of what I like about life. I'd essentially ride a desk at 38 years of age.


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There must be a reason they are offering it to you? You are probably well thought of by your superiors. You may be able to make things better for your underlings, if you think of it this way. I am not trying to talk you into it though, especially if the money isn't there.

[4949shooter]

Originally Posted by Ducowti

I've got that Sgt. I often have to make up his mind. Sometimes for fun I get in his wheelhouse just to see him squirm a bit.


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We have these types also. They shouldn't even be cops, let alone supervisors.

[volsbear]

Originally Posted by 4949shooter

There must be a reason they are offering it to you? You are probably well thought of by your superiors. You may be able to make things better for your underlings, if you think of it this way. I am not trying to talk you into it though, especially if the money isn't there.

It hasn't been offered. I'd have to apply but as I understand it I'd have a good chance.

I calculated that including increased child care costs and deducting taxes, I'm looking at a stunning $2800 raise if I go after it.


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[Cochese]

I woukd promote when possible. New challenges, more money, and an opportunity to fix things depending on how gangster you are.

Go for it.

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[PBR Sailor]

I don't play golf with the brass, so I wouldn't be eligible for promotion.

[4949shooter]

Originally Posted by volsbear

It hasn't been offered. I'd have to apply but as I understand it I'd have a good chance.

I calculated that including increased child care costs and deducting taxes, I'm looking at a stunning $2800 raise if I go after it.


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It's better than nothing, especially if your promotion could lead to something else.

Just food for thought.

[nikerret]

My theory is to always go through the process. The worst thing that can happen is they offer you the position. Nothing says you have to take it. Use the time during the process to decide what you really want.

[Agent6-3/8]

As others have said, promoting is a good idea if for no other reason than to keep the department morons form out ranking you. Secondly, every department needs more cops and fewer administrators in leadership positions.

Seems like many times the good cops that like the road don't want to promote and leave. The slugs and incompetent that are around for the pay check promote to get off the road and end up in leadership positions. We then come to CT and post about how jack up a departments are.


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[blueiron]

Originally Posted by nikerret

My theory is to always go through the process. The worst thing that can happen is they offer you the position. Nothing says you have to take it. Use the time during the process to decide what you really want.

That's a commonly held perception, but be careful if you do it.

In 1997, after doing a bunch of schools, projects, being a trainer, made Officer of the year, etc., I was assigned to the academy and after that billet, everyone that got assigned to that posting was promoted in the next cycle.

I declined to submit a memo for consideration and for one week before the suspense date [promotional announcements had to be posted for 30 days] , I got called in by every person in my chain of command and the training staff to imply, suggest, direct, implore, cajole, warn, and then threaten me with career suicide if I didn't apply for the job. I refused. The chief was livid with rage that I refused the job.

One officer, about a year after the above, opted to apply and go through the process, then decided against it for family reasons and she caught hell too.

Blowback can result and it can cause you all kinds of problems.

[Trigger Finger]

I also got tired of seeing idiots get promoted and screw things up due to low experience. I always thought that job satisfaction was better than a pay raise, more responsibilities and more and different paperwork.

I was in a special surveillance unit that was very hard to get into and was happy. Great guys and great times. Then they wanted me to put into a supervisor spot within the unit and I would not have to leave. I did and got the spot and never looked back. Things just got better!!!

They say on my old department, which was very large, that the best spot on the entire department was a detective supervisor in a specialized unit. Very good pay, lots of overtime (that's where you REALLY notice the extra pay is in the time and a half overtime pay). Good Lt and Capt to work for and great guys. It was a pleasure to supervise them!!!

[GunFighter45ACP]

That's how I like to think about it. There will always be pros/cons of the current gig vs. the future one, idiots will always find a way to get promoted, & as for the $$, let's face it, if it were about the $$, none of us would be doing what we're doing in the 1st place. If you currently have job satisfaction doing what you're doing & a promotion would change that, then IMO, I would pass on the promotion. Just be sure you're able to communicate that if the higher ups give you a hard time about not seeking the promotion. As disappointed & as pressuring on you as they could be, the higher ups still like to hear every once in a while that the rank & file actually like doing what they're doing. Now, if you have career aspirations that might be easier achieved by having a promotion, then (IMO) that could be worth the 'up' & leaving 'happy' behind for the short term, or until the next move you can make comes along.

[Officer X]

I was involved in training and the FTO program and really thought I could do some good as a sergeant, I also worked with some guys who I never wanted to work for. The 12% pay differential between ranks in our PD helped too.

I enjoyed being a patrol sergeant although I felt like a babysitter at times. As a sergeant you realize you're not brass, but you're not really 'one of the guys' anymore.

I didn't think much of the Lt. exam and was surprised when I came out on top. It got me moved out of patrol to a position I didn't really want but I'm trying to make the best of it and do some good. I look at it as it won't last forever and again, the raise was nice.

Take every test you can, think about the people you wouldn't want to be taking orders from. Go in every day and try to do something positive to help someone and have fun while doing it.