As many of you know, I'm a police officer. I love my job, I love helping people and I love the feeling that I'm giving back to my community.

For those that don't know, I actually got my college degree in Culinary Arts. Went to Johnson and Wales, completed the Advanced Standing program, and my wife and I (we were dating at the time) opened our own catering business right after graduation.... she graduated from JWU also.

Anyways, fast forward to now (4 years later). I'm a cop and she's working as a Catering Director one of the largest universities in South Carolina. She told me yesterday that the executive chef position at the school may be opening up and her district manager wants me to come work there..... the salary will be about $15K/year more than I make at the police department. Plus, I'd be home almost every night (as opposed to hardly ever) and see my family more (son is about to turn 2 and my wife is due with our daughter any day now).

I know this is a question that can only be answered by me and my wife, but what would you guys do? I love law enforcement.... but it would take 8, maybe 10 years to make the kind of money I could get at her school. I've got a family to support and in this crappy economy and the poor job market, I think I'd be insane to pass up the chef job at the school.

I feel like you guys (and girls) are family and I know a lot of you have far, far more life experience than I have (I'll be 25 in a few weeks). Any words of wisdom?

Park the patrol car and hang up the six shooters.

(I have a neighbor at JWU right now in the culinary arts program in Miami)

take the chef job and do some part-time PI work....

Hope it works out for you...

I guess it's a question of whether your affinity for and the fulfillment you get from your law enforcement role outweigh the benefits of more time with your family and the extra $$. I would say that unless the job sucks, go for it.

Obviously only you and your lady can make the call, but the benefits (more money, more time with the people you love) of the move would seem to outweigh what you would lose by leaving law enforcement (again, unless the new job absolutely and totally sucks).

Good luck bro.

I'd probably take the chef job...it's not like its something you have no interest in! You went to school for it, so at some point at least you really liked that sort of work. The money's better, it's a safer job, and you'll see the kids more.

Now, if you think you won't like it, then don't take it. Too many hours of one's life are spent at work for one to do work one doesn't like.

Think of what this will mean for you and your family . . . I bet your stress level would change dramatically . . .

I would miss being in law enforcement, but the time I would gain with my family would far outweigh anything I'd miss. I'd have every Friday and Saturday off, whereas now I only get that once every 6 weeks.

Still got a lot of thinking to do about it, but thanks for the input so far.

I'd bet you could get into a security consultation position with the school also... I thnk you could remain active in law enforcement one way or another..

pay raise = more cigars

Holy ****!

J&W is probably one of the most prestigious culinary arts universities outside of friggin' France!

Kudos to YOU, brother! (I was born and raised in North Kingstown, RI... just 30 min south of Providence).

That said... the 15k a year more sounds great, but what about medical/dental benefits and a retirement plan? I assume your PD has these... does the new gig? If yes, go with the new gig. Whatever you do, consider this from ALL angles, first.

It sounds like this might be something you have wanted to do for a while especially since you went to school for it. The added salary plus time with oyur family sounds like a no-brainer to me. Obviously something is drawing you towards law enforcement and like you said, it's only a decision you can make. If it were me though, I'd be whipping up some Beef Wellingtons and Baked Alaska faster than you can say "you have the right to remain silent".

true... how long have you been a cop? when does retirement kick in? may be worth delaying the move in the long run. The chef job or another could be available in the future...

MACS is totally right - definitely should look beyond the salary and figure out the difference in total compensation, including future benefits.

Of course, your personal safety and time to be with your family are difficult to value in $$. But from a purely financial perspective, there's a lot more to look at than your salary.

Can the uniform. Wadeing through trash for a living will jade you beyond repair.

Take the position and sve for your retirement and maybe work a few shifts fill in to keep your standards up. You can always return to the police force if you must.

And remember the only reason you are a cop is because you couldn't pass the firefighter exam!

^Could EASILY pass the FF exam... but try to get a damn job at any of the stations in CA... you either know someone or are related to someone.

I live near Philadelphia, we have had (4) cops killed in the last 6 months......

Take the chefs job........ every day you are on the street could be one day too many............ Until there are more strict gun control laws, you are fighting a losing battle.....

Just my opinion.........

Do what you like to do, and never work a day in your life.

I know a guy who took the chef gig at a local community college -- and he LOVED it. Great job, excellent benefits, and fantastic for "networking" into other opportunities.

His deal allowed him to do outside work that didn't conflict with college business. He and his wife did a few big private parties when he wanted extra money -- very lucrative stuff (he does a lot of high-end tailgating parties for USC alums, for example).

Eventually, he was able to buy some rental properties, flip 'em, etc. What's funny is that some of the college professors sort of look "down" on him, as if the guy cooking food in the faculty dining room is beneath them, class-wise. He's literally a millionaire and could buy and sell the lot of 'em.

I guess my point is: you've got some great skills that are very flexible. You can probably dial it up and earn more, or back off and spend time with the family. Or alternate, depending on where things stand.

Good luck to you and your family.

ScottHar

LOL @ probuilt..... most of my wife's family are firefighters, they say the same exact thing.

Law enforcement wins on the retirement issue, hands down. Mandatory 6.5% of my check is put into my retirement account, and my department matches it by 1.5. So 16.25% of every check is put for retirement. After 25 years, that's a nice chunk of change.

But, the job at the university does have 401(k) with employer matching dollar for dollar.

Health/vision/dental are exactly the same, except for cost. It'd cost a couple more dollars per month at the school, but everything else stays the same. Our insurance at the department is scheduled to go up 7% next year, as it seems to do every year.

My reason for getting into law enforcement here was twofold.... One, I've always wanted to do it and always had a desire to protect the innocent and rid the world of scum. Two, there were no restaurants or any foodservice establishments here that I wanted to work at. I never thought of the university until my wife got a job there. She's been there a year and a half (same time I've been in law enforcement) and freakin' loves it. Plus, our son (and our daughter, eventually) goes to the daycare on campus. They're nationally accredited and it's a big plus to have your kid being looked after right on the campus you're working at.

I'd love to fire up one of the Anejo's that teachermat sent me while I ponder this, but I woke up this morning feeling like I've been hit by a Mack truck. Fever all day and all sorts of un-Godly stuff coming from my nose. Yuck.

Anyways, thanks for the support. You guys really are a bunch of great azzhats..... I mean.... friends.

"Until there are more strict gun control laws, you are fighting a losing battle..." - gold18

You, sir, have NO idea what you're talking about. I'll say this slowly, so you'll understand it (or if you must, read it again and again, until it sinks in)

STRICT GUN LAWS FAVOR THE DAMN CRIMINALS... WHO DO NOT OBEY THE LAW.

Give everyone a gun and see how much crime goes down when the bad guys know you'll be fighting back.

knew that would hit a chord..... just couldn't resist.