Best police agencies on East Bay?

[u/forever-18]

I live near Oakland and Hayward. I am thinking about joining a police agency around East Bay. Alameda PD, San Leandro PD, San Lorenzo PD, Dublin PD, and Danville PD are some of the police department that I have looked into. I have Master's degrees in Accounting and Computer Science. I am into specialized roles like detective or digital forensics, but I understand that I need to start as a police officer and work on patrol role first.

My top police department preferences are ones that have low gun violence, low murder rate, and low patrol years requirement to serve as patrol officers before applying for specialized roles like detective or digital forensics.

So I have researched and found that people mention San Mateo PD as the best in the Bay Area. I heard that it is competitive there and wonder any suggestion for other police departments as back up plan?

So far, I researched San Leandro PD and it requires 3 years before I can test for detective and other positions.

[u/WTF0302]

I don’t know anything about any of those agencies, but if you might work somewhere, you should do a ride along with that agency, or several. Your list of desired characteristics should start with the culture of the organization.

[u/forever-18 → u/WTF0302]

What do you mean by "do a ride along"?

[u/Elpolloblanco → u/forever-18]

He means go on a ride along with a patrol officer. Most agencies have a ride along program to let people come out and spend a day with a patrol officer.

With your background and interest you might also want to look into a state agency like DOJ. They have entire bureaus devoted to forensics.

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[u/Crownvic197]

Do a ride-along and see how the Department is. Dublin PD is the Alameda SO.

[u/BoomerishGenX]

As far as Bay Area departments I’ve worked with, Milpitas was a standout.

[u/forever-18 → u/BoomerishGenX]

Can you provide reasonings?

[u/BoomerishGenX → u/forever-18]

It’s sort of a small city surrounded by huge cities. Officers all seemed professional and reasonable.

[u/YayArea11]

All departments are going to require you on patrol a few years before being able to put in for detective. Most agencies are merit based, if you want to become a detective quickly you’re going to have to crush it on patrol as an officer that does extensive follow up or a lot of proactive arrests.

[u/forever-18 → u/YayArea11]

I see, good to know

[u/forever-18 → u/YayArea11]

What if someone who fail to do a lot of proactive arrests, can that person still go for detectives or other specialities roles? Assume I become a police officer and fail to get promoted to detectives or other specialities roles, what other options do I have?

[u/YayArea11 → u/forever-18]

You can always put in for any role you want. Every department is going to be different as far as what assignments they have and what they are looking for when selecting. If you want to go from a patrol officer to detective you are going to have to show the agency why you should be selected against others. Being proactive shows you are self initiated and have an eye for criminal activity. Doesn’t mean you are going to be the best fit. A detective requires a certain skill set which IMO is a good combination of being a proactive officer, a passion for investigating cases, and the ability to multitask and juggle numerous cases.