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I don't know squat about policing other than general knowledge, but this thread has been sitting here for a long time with no contribution from Houston insiders.

From where I sit, Houston PD does not look like the best place to work. Houston has fairly high rates of violent crime and gang activity. The police are more likely to run into some really bad actors. That can't be good for their long-term mental health, even if they don't get hurt.

There are also many accusations of police brutality and shooting people who didn't need to be shot. I don't know how well substantiated these charges are. Maybe they just come with the turf in a big city.

The Houston PD is also politicized, or has been on and off. Google Lee Brown, Houston police, botched raid, crime lab, and similar terms.

A career with one of the smaller towns, constable precincts, or sheriff's departments in the surrounding counties might be more sedate, if lower-paid. I know some Galveston police and deputies who have had long careers here and seem to be satisfied with their jobs.

Some of the medium-sized agencies will pay you during academy training. The small towns can't afford to do that, and the bigger agencies want experience.

- Jim