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If you aleady have 16 years in, why would you get out before retirement? Stay in until you at least have 20 years and a pension. If you get out now the job market just sucks and you may not get anywhere near as good of job in the civilian sector.

Texas, you made a promise to your family & I respect that.  A man's word is his bond- anything else & you're not a man.  I'm about your age with about the same amount of time in service.  You know as well as I do that even with 20 in, there won't be much in your retirement nest egg (unless you did deferred comp. to boot) and definitely not enough to feed a large family.  I'm sure you're not suffering burn out (that's a decade past) & have discussed everything with your better half & this is the best decision you both came up with.  Have you talked to other bretheren that did the whole ride?  The ones I have discussed things with sure do seem to miss "the job" and still seem to be struggling financially.  Whatever you & the family decide, I wish you well brother.

Greg,

Is there any "specialty" assignments in your agency that might work? I saw you're in the Dallas area, what about other nearby agencies? You have a great deal invested in both your career AND your family. You have some tough choices ahead.

You might be able to translate your background into some corporate security (Yeah I know...) gig that pays decently. Other options might be in things like insurance claims investigating and stuff... maybe a court baliff type gig? they have nights & weekends off and love former cops...

Best of luck & keep the list advised...

Mike

We are close in years of service and age. I left a department after 12 years and started all over with a smaller dept. For quite a while, all  I thought about was "man, 8 more years and I would have had the full ride, (pension). At my age, 42, it is hard to start another 20 just to have a secure future.

If you can last another 4 years and take the pension freeze it and run. See if you can get a internal job or at least try to use senority to up-grade to a day shift to make the last 4 years a little easier for the family.

Best if luck to you.

I don' t have as much time on the job as you (8 years), but I know a little something about translating police work into the civilian sector.  Before I list them, I have to agree with our colleagues here - 16 years is a long time to just throw it all away; especially considering how bad the economy is right now.  That being said, here it goes:

1.  Crime Analyst or Intelligence Analyst (local, state, military as a civilian, or federal)

2.  Background Investigator (local, state, military as a civilian, corporate, Federal, USIS--United States Investigative Service <--private)

3  Fraud investigator for any major corporation of any kind, public or private (banks, credit unions, and hospitals for examples). 

4  Probation/ Parole (some offices have crazy hours and some just work 40 hours weeks - they love cops/ ex-cops)

5  Blackwater (as an instructor who stays stateside) or other like - agencies (Dyncorp, Tripple Canopy, Wackenhut, and believe it or not, even Lockheed Martin) love cops as well.  In fact, at my last department, most of our firearms and driving instruction was done at Blackwater because they loved us so much.

6.  Claims Investigator for insurance companies (USAA, State Farm, Geico, et cetera).

I really hope you and your family will be able to reconsider and I'm sure that in the end you'll be able to do what's best for your situation.  I agree with LULSGT though - you may want to have your wife look at these postings.  There are options, but the economy is ridiculous right now (even with all your experience) and most of the jobs I've listed above require quite a bit of networking to get in to depending on the region you live in.  I'm unfamiliar with Dallas, but bottom line:  it would be a terrible waste to throw away 16 years out of a 20 years retirement.  Just think how quickly the past 4 years has gone by - that's how long it'll be before you really regret it.  And regardless of how much you love your family, this is going to mess with you.  Trust me - I've been there once. You can't get it out of your blood (ever) and nothing in the civilian sector can compare in terms of what the job is about.  I've been there and let me tell you, though the PD was tough on the family, leaving it has led to far worse obstacles for my family both financially and otherwise.   It's a tough situation -  Good luck with whatever you decide!

I suspect that if you throw 16 yrs down the drain towards a retirement you will really regret it and the family situation may become worse. Try to convince her for just 4 more. That way you at least have a small pension when you turn 55 or whatever the age is. As much as I was disgusted with the US Navy at the time I still regret tossing away 7 years and wish I had stayed and become a double dipper.

I don't have the years of experience that you have as a cop.  But I can tell you a huge number of guys (copsand non-cops)  suffer from job dissatisfaction when they hit our age range.  Some call it a mid life crisis, but I believe that is overplayed and a misunderstanding of men.  You don't seem to want to do the things that are steriotypical of a "mid life crisis".  It seems that you love your wife and kids and are devoted to them, but have hit the point that there is no joy in work anymore, and you are asking the question, "what about me".  I had a very similar experiece when I left my job as a public defender (lots of $$$ and job secutity) when I was about your age.  Check out my profile-I'm one of the good guys now.  Pick up a copy of the book "Do what you are".  It has a series of tests that guage personality and intrests and then charts out what careers people with your personality, skills and intrests have been successful in.  It may be a great help.  As others have pointed out, the job market for middle aged males sucks. you would think employers would want to pay well for experience.  But they know they can hire 2 20 year olds and train them to do what they want for the same money, which puts you at a huge disadvantage.  I agree with others who have said if possible stick it out for your 20 year pension, as that will help a great deal in supporting your family.  But, if that 4 years will cost you your family, then get out now.  Money can be replaced- wife and kids can't.  I'll say a prayer for you, and if I can help you out in any way, please PM me.

Stay safe- Mike

tuckertx says ...

I am a 16 year cop. I have a large family that is getting more and more demanding of my time. Nights and weekends dont work anymore. I have promised my wife and kids that I would get out but I dont have the first clue what to do. I believe I can walk away from full time, but I am 38 and I am comfortable and confident in my job. I dont know what 16 years of police work translates into in the private sector. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

My mom always said the best time to look for a job is when you already have one.  If you feel you must get out start looking now.  Decide that you won't take any job unless it is better than the one you have now.  This way you can pick an choose.  Start reading the paper and networking with those you come in contact with (other officers, lawyers, ect.) and don't pull the pin until it benifits you.  I've got over twenty years at my cop job and am about eighteen months away from being able to retire and collect a pension.  I don't know if I'll go that soon but when I do I'll follow the advice I just gave you.  My wife and I raised two kids and I don't feel that they suffered by my job.  Yea I missed a few things but I think that occurs with all jobs.