Bob Walsh
Stockton, CA
Male, 60
I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.
When I first started, back in the stone age, there was a maximum start age. I think it was 35. That was dropped. I have heard a max start age may have again been reinstated, but I have no hard info on that. There is no mandatory retirement age and I have seen a few cops working well into their 60s and a few even into their 70s (which I think is pushing it quite a bit). Since the system now operates on a seniority bid system the old timers, who tend to be fairly senior, tend to bid into jobs that they like and that they can perform adequately.
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Depends. If you want to go to a "desirable" prison, like Folsom or Susanville, it can be difficult. If you want to go to one of the desert prisons, not so much. The trick is how badly do they need you at the old prison and how badly do they want you at the new prison. They have kept people from transferring out of prisons due to a compelling staff need at the old prison. Then there has to be space available at the new prison and they have to be willing to take you. Desirable prisons have a lot of people who want to go there. Less desirable prisons, not so much.
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Least enjoyable aspect of the job was people on occasion trying to kill me. Most enjoyable was general job satisfaction coming from doing a job that I was good at and that had social relevance and importance. Pay started at about $1,000 per month, but that was 35 years ago.
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Not exactly my field of expertise, I have never been a street cop. My guess is that within the city limits it is a no-no and would be considered a weapon.
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No, but...personal relations with ex-felons who are still under the jurisdiction of the department have to be reported and are generally suspect and not permitted. In addition, hanging around with groups of known felons can be considered to be incompatible with the job of a peace officer.
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I have never worked in a police station in my life so it is difficult to respond meaningfully to your question. I can tell you that most "hard shoes" (as opposed to athletic shoes) have a metal support in the arch which triggers metal detectors.
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