May need a name change...

[Lawson]

The thing is, I like the bootwork of security. Im not much of a management type or any of that. There are security posts Ive had that I enjoy more than law enforcement, but unfortunately, at this point money is a big issue.

I've decided to go with a company that has armed patrol for section 8 housing. The pay is $ -4.00 from what I make now, with zilch for benefits, but BHR is driving me absolutely insane with their lack of regard for safety/security and just day to day hobmagob.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[CorpSec]

The thing is, I like the bootwork of security. Im not much of a management type or any of that. There are security posts Ive had that I enjoy more than law enforcement, but unfortunately, at this point money is a big issue.

I've decided to go with a company that has armed patrol for section 8 housing. The pay is $ -4.00 from what I make now, with zilch for benefits, but BHR is driving me absolutely insane with their lack of regard for safety/security and just day to day hobmagob.

Thanks for everyone's input.

You say that money is a big issue but you are planning on taking a $4.00 an hour decrease and giving up all your bennies like vacation,paid medical and sick time to work in some ghetto with no bennies?

I would advise you to sleep on that one for a week or so. I understand that work might suck right now,but what your planning on doing sounds a little hasty and illogical from where I sit.

[Lawson]

I know what I typed seemed odd, just now re-reading it. Basically Im going to go nuts if I'm here at BHR much longer. It's just on a downward spiral with no one pulling on the brakes.

When I say money is an issue, I was referring that Im probably going to leave security for full time law enforcement because of the money. So I can still get the "bootwork" but make a liveable and comfortable wage... as much as I enjoy the security field.

Im taking the pay hit because I dont know how much longer I can mentally take the crap from this job. It's one thing to have to worry about your wellbeing and safety at work, but then I have to worry what my check is going to look like EVERY payday. It's also probably going to be a short-term solution, just something to do that I enjoy until State Patrol comes through.

Im moving in with a friend (which has been in the works for a while) who works for the same company, so we can carpool to and from the sites, and the job is basically more in tune to what I think security will be. At this point Im willing to take the slight punch in the pocket to not go crazy.

[Black Caesar]

I know what I typed seemed odd, just now re-reading it. Basically Im going to go nuts if I'm here at BHR much longer. It's just on a downward spiral with no one pulling on the brakes.

When I say money is an issue, I was referring that Im probably going to leave security for full time law enforcement because of the money. So I can still get the "bootwork" but make a liveable and comfortable wage... as much as I enjoy the security field.

I can dig that, it's why I'm in my job now, mostly similar work (sometimes i have to put on my cop hat though, something I never had to do in private security), much better pay, and i don't have to climb any corporate ladders. I'm a grunt and proud of it lol.

Im taking the pay hit because I dont know how much longer I can mentally take the crap from this job. It's one thing to have to worry about your wellbeing and safety at work, but then I have to worry what my check is going to look like EVERY payday. It's also probably going to be a short-term solution, just something to do that I enjoy until State Patrol comes through.

Im moving in with a friend (which has been in the works for a while) who works for the same company, so we can carpool to and from the sites, and the job is basically more in tune to what I think security will be. At this point Im willing to take the slight punch in the pocket to not go crazy.

Lawson sir, I salute you! .

While your course of action might not be path I'd choose (because even if I hated my job, I have to think of my family, I need my benifits lol), I can see that it takes courage to do it. Most people wouldn't, they'd stay put, be miserable, and through their bitching and moaning make everyone around them miserable too.

Take the example of my buddy Chris. Chris was a cop for a small country town (not far from the small country town I used to work at), loved his job, but needed to make more money. He spent much of his off time in Dallas (an hour's drive from his house) working off duty security jobs just to make ends meet, all because his small town really couldn't afford to pay him more than the $10 an hour he was making.

So, he applied for and got the job as a Transit Police Officer. More money? Sure, at the time DART was paying more than Dallas PD (Dallas PD has since caught up) and have great benifits.

Thing is, when you work for an institutional police department (examples: Transit, Campus/School, Airport, Hospital, Railroad ect ect) you have to "serve two masters" ,ie your general duty to everyone as a peace officer, vs your specific duty as a member of the particular institution. This is not always easy, and it wasn't easy for Chris, because as a street cop, all he ever had to do was enforce the law, as a transit cop it was more complicated. The institution doesn't give a crap about LE, they wan't you to keep things running smoothly (and for you to use your LE authority to futher that goal).

He once complained to me that DART had him sitting in his squad car guarding a construction site because of a copper delivery, which was (in his words) "not my idea of policing" lol. On a side note, DART hires contract security to do that kind of thing now.

So he had the same dilema you had, Lawson. Stay at the job that had great pay and benifits but that he positiviley could not stand, or go back to the kind of work he enjoyed but had to struggle with financially.

He went back to his small town, got rehired, again works his butt off doing off duty security work to make ends meet, and is sooooo much happier than he was. Like i said, I couldn't do it (luckily I love my job, I think I was born to be an institutional police officer lol), but I can totally respect his decision.

I wish some of my co-workers, the ones who bitch and moan all day long about how "the college doesn't care about Law Enforcment" but who still take the paycheck at the end of every month, would do the same and go somehwere else and be happy (and leave those of us who actually like being campus cops alone LOL).

[Mr. Chaple]

Have you considered going into business for yourself?

[LPAjh9558]

I know what I typed seemed odd, just now re-reading it. Basically Im going to go nuts if I'm here at BHR much longer. It's just on a downward spiral with no one pulling on the brakes.

When I say money is an issue, I was referring that Im probably going to leave security for full time law enforcement because of the money. So I can still get the "bootwork" but make a liveable and comfortable wage... as much as I enjoy the security field.

Im taking the pay hit because I dont know how much longer I can mentally take the crap from this job. It's one thing to have to worry about your wellbeing and safety at work, but then I have to worry what my check is going to look like EVERY payday. It's also probably going to be a short-term solution, just something to do that I enjoy until State Patrol comes through.

Im moving in with a friend (which has been in the works for a while) who works for the same company, so we can carpool to and from the sites, and the job is basically more in tune to what I think security will be. At this point Im willing to take the slight punch in the pocket to not go crazy.

Sounds like you've pretty much made the decision, that's good That company really must have been giving you hell, LITERALLY! Sometimes the money that you make at a job just isn't worth all the headaches that follow behind. I've tried to live with the attitude that the money situation will take care of itself...and for the most part I've found that it has

Carpooling will help alot, especially if there are any long drives in the future. But in any case it will help with using gas

Glad things are starting to lighten up for you. I was going to let ya know that you probably know it's time to move on when and if you start looking anything like your avatar Best of luck to you!

[SpecialAgentKC]

BHR: You may consider an intermediate station with a limited commission such as a Community Service Officer. Lakewood PD and Des Moines PD are recruiting...or possibly public sector security positions (UW, UWT, Harborview, etc.).... These could be good gigs in and of themeselves, or a stepping stone while you wait out State Patrol. Regardless...good luck! --K.

[Lawson]

BHR: You may consider an intermediate station with a limited commission such as a Community Service Officer. Lakewood PD and Des Moines PD are recruiting...or possibly public sector security positions (UW, UWT, Harborview, etc.).... These could be good gigs in and of themeselves, or a stepping stone while you wait out State Patrol. Regardless...good luck! --K.

I've put in for every single UW position that comes out, 3 I've been turned down for, I'm still "being considered" for PSO and SGT at Harborview...

Thanks for pointing out Des Moines, I just filled out an application with them, hopefully that one comes through.

[SpecialAgentKC]

I've put in for every single UW position that comes out, 3 I've been turned down for, I'm still "being considered" for PSO and SGT at Harborview...

Thanks for pointing out Des Moines, I just filled out an application with them, hopefully that one comes through.

No problem. UWPD has also expanded the Campus Security positions ON campus in light of recent events...Segway Patrol:

CAMPUS SECURITY OFFICER Req #: 41720Department: HS ACADEMIC SERVICES & FACILITIESJob Location: Health Sciences CenterPosting Date: 02/22/2008 Closing Info: Closes On 03/07/2008Salary: $2671 to $3560 p/month

Also, USMS is hiring:

The United States Marshals Service is recruiting ON CALL (0-16 hours per week) District Security Officers to assist the USMS by guarding and processing federal prisoners in the cellblock, courtroom and during transport; or guarding federal, seized, or forfeited property. $28.00...you can also contract though a company. I was hired with SecureTrans for this at $24.00 as an occasional side job....

I also moonlight occasionally with Highline Public Schools. They have a temp armed position that might get you by for a while...since you are now a reserve LEO, you'd be eligible at +/- $23.00. www.hsd401.org The initial screening date is past, so, you may want to call HR and see if they'll still accept....

Take care. --K.

[UtahProtectionForce]

BHR - your post kinda reminds me off my dilema..

In a sense.. I have one company wanting me to come back, i hated working for them, it was like a living hell that would never go away... The one company has benefits but pays about 1.00 lower. The new company i am with now I AM MUCH HAPPIER although its only been about 1 week, and yet the other company is STILL trying to get me to come back, although i dont think i could i would be very unhappy thier. my old boss has tried to talk me into returning by stating "oh that company is the worst company to work for, and etc.....", although it seems to me im getting 1.00 more per hour, and they seem much more organized.... I too had problems with my previous company not being seroius about safety,training.... and cause conflicts with to office by reminding them what state law requires, because many times they would "forget" to have training or just sign off on required training hours of contiuning education that ya need every 6 months.. its only 4 hrs.. and can be in class or at the range... but yet they wouldnt listen to me.. so i butt heads alot with middle management, i was miserable. So I turned away from them, and got hired with the new company which is smaller only about 40-50 employees vs the old company which had 400+ employees, i was told by my old boss oh your jsut a number to them, well at this point i think its better to be a number, and when you go home, work stays at work, whereas with old company alot of times, i would get phone calls from the office asking about how certian accounts functioned. although i only trained/worked at the accounts maybe 1 time in the year... and etc. although i may be burning a bridge with a friend )company owner( , i think i would rather go home happy, instead of burnt out.

I support you !

[Lawson]

Supervisor called this morning while I was sleeping, so I listened to a message she left, she seems to think I'm just going to stop showing up for shifts, after I specifically told her that wouldn't happen. She has pulled hours from me and was rather snippy and trite on the phone, I'm still awaiting a call back from her, it's going to take a lot for me to not burn this potential reference.

[OccamsRazor]

Damn Brian, I wish I'd known earlier, I turned down 4 really well-paying EP things in the last two weeks due to my son's schedule.

You have my digits.

[Lawson]

Damn Brian, I wish I'd known earlier, I turned down 4 really well-paying EP things in the last two weeks due to my son's schedule.

You have my digits.

Dang. Hook me up if you get another one in the near future.

[OccamsRazor]

Dang. Hook me up if you get another one in the near future.

K.

Text me so I can be sure I still have your current number.

[Lawson]

I've put in for every single UW position that comes out, 3 I've been turned down for, I'm still "being considered" for PSO and SGT at Harborview...

Thanks for pointing out Des Moines, I just filled out an application with them, hopefully that one comes through.

Just got a call from Harborview this afternoon for an interview Things may be looking up.