State or local police pros and cons?

Question

I am a Freshman in college majoring in Criminal Justice. I can't decide whether to be a state trooper or a local cop. What would you choose and why? I plan on doing an internship to help me decide. What are the pros and cons of both state police officer? What are the pros and cons of being a local police officer?

Answer 1

Well being a State Trooper carries a lot of prestige. LIKE as an example US Marines. BUT on the down side you can be bounced ANYWHERE in the state during the course of your career. Local you have a job where you serve your community. Be it City or Town. You get to know the people and interact with them. On the downside it is and or CAN be political. So if you piss off the wrong person they can make it hard on you. I myself would still go with the Local, be it City or Town. You have a set beat so to speak. You get to know who the thug are and can keep a closer eye on them. Good Luck either way, and ALWAYS Stay safe.

Answer 2

Depending on where you work state-wise some are strictly a Highway Patrol with little actual investigation work done. Some like Michigan are true State Police and do it all.
The Highway Patrol around here was sometimes called "taillight detectives" in derision of their primarily traffic enforcement function.
The local cops which I was, handle everthing from homicides, fatal traffic accidents, thefts, on down. You get a more rounded career in some of the local agencies. You may work vice, narcotics, robbery detective, etc. in addition to patrol.
It's your call, but I enjoyed being a local cop for my career.

Answer 3

State Patrol

+Greater Status
-more dangerous job
+pay is I think more
-you could be sent anywhere in the US (where they feel you would best be needed)
-you never would get very close (as in friends) with who you served with and who you serve

Local Police
- and +status (it depends on respect of you as a person not the job you do)
-it can at times be a dangerous job, but the dangerous times aren't as likely to happen often
+pay is average, but the benefits are great
+you would work in your town, with people you know
+local police are like a tight knit family (great comradarie)

Local Policeman wins.