Page 18 - APD

WHAT TYPE OF AGENCY

is right for me?

Modern police departments are a reflection of their environments. For example, departments in cities with gangs,
serious drug problems, and high rates of auto thefts have special units dedicated to those types of activities. Departments
in rural environments where loose livestock is a problem have large trailers, horses, and officers trained to manage those
problems. Departments with lakes or large bodies of water in their jurisdictions also have the tools, vehicles, and units
trained to work in those environments. By the same token, departments that operate in cities without those needs rely on
well-rounded patrol officers to deal with the day-to-day issues.

Larger agencies typically have more resources than their smaller counterparts. The specialized units within the
larger agencies generally provide more opportunities for lateral movement. Those specialized units also allow you to
specialize in certain areas of police work. However, larger agencies often have higher call loads in patrol, and the officers
tend to be a little more reactive than proactive. The higher call loads require officers to manage their time more carefully
because they may only have enough time to collect the necessary information to complete the report before responding to
the next call. To the reporting party, this kind of service can make them feel like they are just one more call on the officer’s
list.

Those agencies also allow you to work with more people which means more opportunities for friendships, but as
a result of the larger numbers, larger agencies can also feel like less of a family atmosphere than smaller agencies. The
larger size also ensures you never have to work alone and usually have a supervisor on your shift. Due to the multiple
levels of management required to manage large departments, patrol officers at large agencies are less likely to know their
executives on a personal level. This also means officers have less input when it comes to the direction of the agency. With
that being said, employment at some of the large agencies can carry a certain amount of prestige such as the LAPD, NYPD,
or Texas DPS and The Texas Rangers.

The largest agencies are usually located in urban environments. They tend to be more traditional and changing the
culture or practices can be slow. An example of this is shift bidding. Larger agencies generally have a system of bidding
based on seniority. This system results in new officers having to work nights for many years before getting an opportunity
to work dayshift. It also creates a situation where new officers are often working with new officers and older more
experienced officers are working other senior officers. It’s a great system for the senior officers but this also makes it
challenging for new officers to learn from their less experienced co-workers. Onboarding takes more time at the larger
agencies as well due to number applicants they process.

Officers at smaller departments have historically had to do more with less because they lacked the resources for
equipment and training that are available to larger departments. Some smaller agencies still require officers to provide
most of their own equipment. This is not the case with smaller departments within the metroplex and definitely not the
case at the Argyle Police Department. Smaller towns and cities also enjoy lower crime rates, but the lower call volume
can be both a blessing and a curse. Lower crime rates mean more peace of mind for the residents and that is definitely a
blessing. However, it’s also a curse because lower call volumes can create boredom for some officers.

Working for a small department has some advantages too. Being an officer at a smaller department can give you
a much wider exposure to job functions because everyone wears multiple hats. For example, a patrol officer in a small
department may perform the initial investigation, crime scene processing, follow up on the case like a detective, and even
work on the case until it reaches the DA’s office. By the way, there’s no greater feeling than seeing something through
from start to finish. The lower call volume also allows officers to spend more time on calls which leads to a higher level
of police service and eventually improved public relations.

Another perk of a small agency is their family like atmospheres. Officers work closely with the command staff while also
gaining a firsthand view of how the department operates at all levels. Smaller departments also tend to be more agile than
the large departments. Less people mean it’s easier to make cultural and operational or procedural changes. Onboarding
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is quicker at the smaller departments too because they generally process less applicants. Page | 17