PD Openings in Ponca City

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yukonjack

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I would think the restriction to being over 45 to be employed would be because of physical fitness issues when at the end of the 20-year career that would put one at 65 years old or much older if hired at 50.
It would be tough doing a foot chase through a neighborhood and having to subdue someone that wants to fight if you could catch them.
Mother nature gifts those younger with more stamina and physical strength.
Not to say there aren't folks at that age that could outperform a 30 year old but they are the rare exception.

It might be surprising to you but many departments in other States have no upper age limit. If you meet the physical fitness standards you have just as good of a chance as anyone else in getting the job. Two examples, San Francisco Police Dept. & Alaska State Troopers.
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dennishoddy

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It might be surprising to you but many departments in other States have no upper age limit. If you meet the physical fitness standards you have just as good of a chance as anyone else in getting the job. Two examples, San Francisco Police Dept. & Alaska State Troopers.View attachment 282531View attachment 282532
Yes, as long as you retain the physical fitness.
 

Snattlerake

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I just saw the pay.

$45K ? Oh Hell no.

Same old small town BS pay.

Being a Police Officer is a calling. God Bless those who serve and have served. I wouldn’t last a shift these days. Almost went with OKCPD in 1979 instead of USPS when I got out of USMC. I wonder what would have been sometimes but no regrets.
If I hadn't gone a different direction like you, we could have been partners
 

dennishoddy

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I would agree with that. The reality is most police departments in Oklahoma have no continuing physical fitness requirements after they are hired. Lots of obese cops out there that couldn’t chase a donut rolling across the street.
Unfortunately, I see that.
What I have seen is two, I'll call them acquaintances as we have had lunch and shot matches together that are OHP.
They religiously go to the gym daily to work out and show it in their physique because they want to win if they are involved in something personal. You don't want to be a loser in that sort of situation, so I put that right up there with great marksmanship to protect yourself first and protect others second.
That's the dedication I'd like to see if your tasked with Law Enforcement.
I guess the recent Supreme Court ruling that says LEO are not required to protect and defend says it all though.
 

Frederick

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Unfortunately, I see that.
What I have seen is two, I'll call them acquaintances as we have had lunch and shot matches together that are OHP.
They religiously go to the gym daily to work out and show it in their physique because they want to win if they are involved in something personal. You don't want to be a loser in that sort of situation, so I put that right up there with great marksmanship to protect yourself first and protect others second.
That's the dedication I'd like to see if your tasked with Law Enforcement.
I guess the recent Supreme Court ruling that says LEO are not required to protect and defend says it all though.

I believe in equal hiring standards.

If you can pass the entry exam, you should be able to get the job. If a dude in his 40s or 50s keeps up physical training, he can keep up with the 30 year olds. the problem is that once most dudes hit 40 they let go seems like.

On the other hand, you get what you pay for. You want police that take care of themselves, that are professional and fit. but you don't want to pay them professional wages. anything less than 60k to be a cop is an insult. But even if you CAN get a job as someone over 45 as a cop, doesn't mean you should. Sure, with good physical fitness you can manage into your 50s but human males peak at ~33 and every year after that is a gradual decline...It's one thing to risk your own life, but when you're a police officer you're a public servant and the lives of yourself and other officers are at risk. obviously if you've been in the career for a long period of time you can move onto a supervisor type position where it isn't such a big deal. Kinda how i feel about women honestly. they have their place in law enforcement, but they should be partnered with a guy who can handle himself.

that's my personal view but it might change if i had personal experience with the career or insight from an LEO professional.
 

Snattlerake

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Unfortunately, I see that.
What I have seen is two, I'll call them acquaintances as we have had lunch and shot matches together that are OHP.
They religiously go to the gym daily to work out and show it in their physique because they want to win if they are involved in something personal. You don't want to be a loser in that sort of situation, so I put that right up there with great marksmanship to protect yourself first and protect others second.
That's the dedication I'd like to see if your tasked with Law Enforcement.
I guess the recent Supreme Court ruling that says LEO are not required to protect and defend says it all though.
Dave Dvorak was a state trooper as I remember in Major County? He had arms bigger than my thighs. He didn't need a trigger on any gun he just squeezed the boooolits out.
 

Honey Badger

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I live in Ponca City, and I teach at the high school. I’m telling you why fellas the Ponca City Police Department has his hands full around here. For the most part these guys are top shelf. They work hard and they earn every penny they make. I wouldn’t do their job for all the tea in China. God bless these men.
 

bigfug

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why would someone want to start a law enforcement job past 45 ? curiosity.

the way i understand it you have to serve for 20 years to get the pension, and being an older law enforcement officer i imagine is pretty tough. i mean, you can't join the military past 38 iirc.

Not uncommon for prior military. Some like to do 25-30 there, or even a late military applicant. Hiring process can take months to a couple of years for some departments by the time you get your commission. You are fully vested in the police pension after 10 years, so essentially you're getting a second retirement. People who have already completed one career but not yet 65 need a job as well, and don't want to work at Lowe's etc. We have officers that are late 50's and 60's and in better shape and more bad ass than some of the younger guys. All about mindset, experience, etc.

The pay is not out of line. OCPD is 3rd highest paying dept in the state and recruit pay is $49k. They are hard up so there is a hiring bonus now of $5500. Past few academies have only been about half full.
 

Pstmstr

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I would think the restriction to being over 45 to be employed would be because of physical fitness issues when at the end of the 20-year career that would put one at 65 years old or much older if hired at 50.
It would be tough doing a foot chase through a neighborhood and having to subdue someone that wants to fight if you could catch them.
Mother nature gifts those younger with more stamina and physical strength.
Not to say there aren't folks at that age that could outperform a 30 year old but they are the rare exception.
A lot of hefty out of shape officers in OKC. Seems to be no ongoing physical fitness requirement these days.
 

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