Thinking of becoming a police officer....
I have had the thought a few times in the past, and being close to graduation I am considering it again. My friends say I would make a good one. For all of you officers out there, what do you have to do to become a police officer?
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quote:Originally posted by DieHard4
what do you have to do to become a police officer?
Get a lobotomy. Don0 -
I had to be laid off from a "real" job, and running out of unemployment insurance. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by DieHard4
I have had the thought a few times in the past, and being close to graduation I am considering it again. My friends say I would make a good one. For all of you officers out there, what do you have to do to become a police officer?
Decide first if you would like to work for a large department or a medium to small one. Large agencies will send you to their police academy. You have to go through the hiring process (interview, background, polygraph, PT test, final interview) and get selected. They will pay you while you go to their academy. Some medium size departments will do the same.
For smaller departments, you may have to get hired, then they'll send you to a regional police academy. In Texas, most smaller agencies require you to already be certified before they will hire. This means you may have to put yourself through a regional academy. Around here, the going rate is around $1200 to $1500. When I was in the academy a few years back, we had to do 600 hours. It has gone up a few hours since then. Good luck.0 -
My advice, go work for the Sheriff. It's been my limmited experience that Deputies get treated better than Officers. At least in my neck of the woods. Be honest, humble, and sincere when interviewed for the job. Your new bosses won't like it if you think you know all it or even act like it. Most importatnly if you get the job don't let it change you (don't get badge heavy). I've seen it happen to a lot of young guys. They get tired, depressed, and quit way to soon. Also keep in mind to treat people the way you would want to be treated. You can't save the world one misdemeanor at a time. So try to be understanding when people make little mistakes and never let your temper control your writing hand when charging somebody. Take five to cool off.
Ok I've rambled enough. Good luck to you in all your endeavors and stay safe.0 -
Where do you live? The details of getting hired vary widely all over the country as do how long the academies are and if you have to put yourself through or the dept will do it. Personally, I would not pay for the academy, there are WAY too many depts around the country begging for cops that will put you through the academy. There are even depts now offering hiring bonuses, moving expenses, and interest free loans to put down on a house. Some CA depts will give you 25K for a house down payment and if you stay with them for 20 years you never have to pay it back. If you don't mind moving, I would really recommend you go out west to AZ or NV. Las Vegas Metro is always hiring and they pay well. I personally know cops there that make over $100K a year (after 5-6 years and counting overtime). Henderson NV and NV State Patrol are always hiring also. In AZ every dept in the Phoenix valley is hurting bad for cops, to keep up with the growth out there. Phoenix itself needs to hire 1000 more over the next 3 years. Mesa is hiring 90 this year. Scottsdale PD is a top notch dept also. Albuquerque NM is trying to hire 100 this year.
LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZONA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR ENTRY LEVEL Officers
Starting Salary Scale (based on years of experience):
0-2 Years $40,789
2-4 Years $42,994
4-6 Years $45,178
6-8 Years $47,362
8+ Years $49,566
Entry Level:
$1,000 Signing Bonus
$1,000 Relocation Reimbursement
Search for jobs at:http://www.officer.com/jobs
Personally, I like how AZ does it. Everyone goes through a common basic academy: officers, deputies and state troopers and graduate as certified officers. Then the troopers go through their own advanced 6 week academy. That way, if you are already a local cop and want to become a trooper, you apply and then go through their 6 week advanced academy. Instead of like here on the east coast where many depts make you go through their own academy all over again, it is such a waste. My oldest son wants to be a cop, and I have told him already to head west. The housing is a lot cheaper out there than here, and the cops get paid better.0 -
A note on being a deputy: many sheriff's offices do not give their deputies any employment protection. The sheriff can hire/demote them at will for anything. The local sheriff is notorious for this, one day a deputy will be a Major and the next will be a Corporal. I would not work for a Sheriffs dept that is set up like that, make sure you check on their system. Personally, if I was starting over as a young officer, I would apply to the State first, then to the biggest depts and work my way down until I got hired. The big depts have the money and the toys and the promotion potential. But don't just apply to one or two. Pick the area you want to live in, check out the depts, then apply to all the ones you like. It is rare to get your first pick, so don't be discouraged. The process is just a pain. 0 -
I'm surprised that nobody has asked you WHY do you want to be a police officer? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
A note on being a deputy: many sheriff's offices do not give their deputies any employment protection. The sheriff can hire/demote them at will for anything. The local sheriff is notorious for this, one day a deputy will be a Major and the next will be a Corporal. I would not work for a Sheriffs dept that is set up like that, make sure you check on their system. Personally, if I was starting over as a young officer, I would apply to the State first, then to the biggest depts and work my way down until I got hired. The big depts have the money and the toys and the promotion potential. But don't just apply to one or two. Pick the area you want to live in, check out the depts, then apply to all the ones you like. It is rare to get your first pick, so don't be discouraged. The process is just a pain.
Bingo! Sheriff depts. are highly political and your job will be very unsecure especially if you have a change of sheriffs. I've seen whole depts. fired and replaced with their own men. So if you like the idea of living in a fish bowl with everyone watching every move you and your family makes and working long hours with very little appreciation don't worry about anyone asking you why you want to be a cop because they already can see you must be crazy. [:o)]0 -
Ok, I live in NC, and I would really like to stay in this area, because I like everything about it, but I would be willing to move to the neighboring states. As far as why I would be an officer, staying in shape is very important to me and I exercise a lot to do so, so I believe I can handle any type of physical demands that might be required of me. I have considered working with the police as a trainer, because I am a personal trainer and have been doing it for two years now, and I want to help the police out in any way possible. I like guns and shooting and I want to become better at using them, and learn to use more types that I have not used before. Most of all, I hate crime, and I want to do something about it. I know I cannot change the world, and I may not even be able to make much of a difference anywhere I might be, but I want to get these criminals off the streets so that good people can live safely and without worrying about if they are going to die today or not. That is all I can think of right now. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by DieHard4
Ok, I live in NC, and I would really like to stay in this area,
NC? You could try Fayetteville PD. I am down at Bragg a few times a year for work and hear they stay busy down there.
Here are their openings:
http://tinyurl.com/2tjqs4
And go to: http://www.officer.com/jobs and just search for NC openings.0 -
...like some have already said, it depends on where you live and where you would like to work. In PA, the required training is now around 750 hours. You can go on your own for the training (you pay) but you can not take the final certification test unless you are hired by an agency. If you take the training on your own and get hired after school, you have to take and pass the exam to be certified.
If you are looking, try www.policeone.com and go to the careers section. It is a good starting point.
My agency just had a recruitment and got 90 applications for possibly 3 slots. I believe they start here at $36,000 for entry level.
Good luck...
Moose0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
A note on being a deputy: many sheriff's offices do not give their deputies any employment protection. The sheriff can hire/demote them at will for anything. The local sheriff is notorious for this, one day a deputy will be a Major and the next will be a Corporal. I would not work for a Sheriffs dept that is set up like that, make sure you check on their system. Personally, if I was starting over as a young officer, I would apply to the State first, then to the biggest depts and work my way down until I got hired. The big depts have the money and the toys and the promotion potential. But don't just apply to one or two. Pick the area you want to live in, check out the depts, then apply to all the ones you like. It is rare to get your first pick, so don't be discouraged. The process is just a pain.
That does not apply to most Sheriff's Offices outside the South. I am a career S.O. professional and only the handful of "at-will" positions, set by law, that the Sheriff is authorized to appoint are in any danger.
All other employees are "Merit System" protected. I have reached the highest rank in my agency still covered by merit, which is Captain.
Anything above me is "at-will" and will change if a new Sheriff is elected, or if the Sheriff doesn't like your looks for some reason. Gone, with no recourse.
I will council that you carefully think about the job, its inherent risks, physical, emotional and others. This career can take a toll on a person and their family.
In addition, please examine your motivation and mind-set. If you are all about "law enforcement", please choose another career, we do NOT need more storm troopers swarming over the land, enforcing each and every law some moron passes.
If you are of a "Peace Officer" mind-set, then welcome. This does not mean that you will not enforce laws, but only those that are just, constitutional and with the exercise of your integrity and discretion. Then, and only then, would I encourage you to join "the club".
Feel free to contact me if you wish further info on the path you seem to have chosen grasshopper.[;)]0 -
I don't know about other states, but this is what I had to go through here in Indiana.
1.) Obviously there is a long application to fill out w/ a background check.
2.) Once that was gone through I was asked to take a written assessment that had nothing to do with Law Enforcement. It was basically a memory and reading comp test.
3.) After I passed that I had to take a physical agility test. (16' vertical jump, 29 sit-ups in 1 min, 300m dash in 71 sec, 25 push-ups, Run a mile in 16:28...doesn't sound hard, but a lot of applicants couldn't pass it...if you are in decent shape it was easy)
4.) Then a Sheriff's Interview (or Chief if city PD).
5.) Finally a Merit Board interview.
6.) If selected then I had to get a medical exam, pass a polygraph, and go through a more turough Background check.
7.) If I passed all of that I was put on a merit list. I was third on the list and there were 3 openings....so I got the job.
Once I did all of that B.S. I spent 2 weeks in Basic Training at the Sheriff's department...Then spent 180 hours with an FTO riding...then 40 hours in charge in the vehicle with an FTO. After that I was on my own.
About two months after that I went to a 16 week academy that is required in the first year by the State of Indiana...the deptartment paid for it. After I completed that I had a year of probation to make sure that I was going to do everything correct. Now that my year is over I am 100% on my own and am allowed to train new reserve's after they go through their 40 hour prebasic and before they get with an FTO.
All of that took about 2 years total.
PIECE OF CAKE!!!! HAHA..
Rememeber this above all..........The job is tough somedays...and it is never self serving. Good luck.0 -
In addition, please examine your motivation and mind-set. If you are all about "law enforcement", please choose another career, we do NOT need more storm troopers swarming over the land, enforcing each and every law some moron passes.
If you are of a "Peace Officer" mind-set, then welcome. This does not mean that you will not enforce laws, but only those that are just, constitutional and with the exercise of your integrity and discretion. Then, and only then, would I encourage you to join "the club".
Feel free to contact me if you wish further info on the path you seem to have chosen grasshopper.[;)]
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I don't know where you work, but I sure like your mindset. If I had found such a dept long ago, I am sure I would have stayed in it. But, alas, my dept was of the LE mind set. My son is looking to get into police work and this is the type of mindset I have taught him and he has. Where does one find such depts?
thanks0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
In addition, please examine your motivation and mind-set. If you are all about "law enforcement", please choose another career, we do NOT need more storm troopers swarming over the land, enforcing each and every law some moron passes.
If you are of a "Peace Officer" mind-set, then welcome. This does not mean that you will not enforce laws, but only those that are just, constitutional and with the exercise of your integrity and discretion. Then, and only then, would I encourage you to join "the club".
Feel free to contact me if you wish further info on the path you seem to have chosen grasshopper.[;)]
I don't know where you work, but I sure like your mindset. If I had found such a dept long ago, I am sure I would have stayed in it. But, alas, my dept was of the LE mind set. My son is looking to get into police work and this is the type of mindset I have taught him and he has. Where does one find such depts?
thanks
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You have mail.[;)]0 -
I think a person would have to be hard-up to assume a position as a cop.
The risk/reward ratio is terrible, why on earth at $25k or 49K a year add into your life the very real chance of being SHOT and killed by any unstable nut-case ?
Life offers the opportunity for thousands of career choices, why pick one where you are a daily target of Bad guys,bullets,crack heads and the farking media if you're too hard on a criminal.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Griff59
I think a person would have to be hard-up to assume a position as a cop.
The risk/reward ratio is terrible, why on earth at $25k or 49K a year add into your life the very real chance of being SHOT and killed by any unstable nut-case ?
Life offers the opportunity for thousands of career choices, why pick one where you are a daily target of Bad guys,bullets,crack heads and the farking media if you're too hard on a criminal.
First off I have never and was not "hard up" when I decided to go into this position. It is family history....you could say it is in my blood.
Why...BECAUSE I WANT TO and BECAUSE I CAN. There is no way that you can understand the feeling that you get when you put on that uniform, go out and perform your duty, hopefully help someone, and then get to come home safe to your family. I want to help people, sure....that is what everyone wants to do. I also think that I am an adrinaline junkie. The adrinaline dump you get when you kick on those red and blues and that siren is amazing the first couple of times you do it. I still get a dump, just not as big as I use to. As long as the "Peace Officer" mindset is there for you it doesn't matter what the rest of your department is, just remember your values.
You could be killed in a car crash today on your way home just as easily as I could be killed on duty...........What is your point?0 -
A couple of things to remember.
There are laws and there is common sense. A good cop knows how and when to correctly apply each of them.
Treat every person the way you would want your family or friends to be treated.
Be respectful to all. Try to give people the benefit of the doubt. If a verbal warning will suffice, don't write the ticket. If they don't make use of your warning, you'll get another chance at them.
I can think of a few others, but I don't want to sound like I'm preaching.0 -
Well , give it some serious thought , its Not like working @ walmart?
and by the way , I would not by decision be doing anything else other than working as a LEO ( and as a gunsmith/armorer as a 2nd job),nothing else in the world like it ...Consider the federal side of this (Marshals,Border Patrol,ect.)if I had anything to do over , I would have started @ the Marshals years ago ...and yes Sheriffs Dept.s can be very strange , "Good Ole Boy / Buddy System"...
Good Luck !!!
d.a.stearns
Gunsmith / LEO
Niota , Tn
P.S. and Just Why do you want to be a LEO ??????????????????????????0 -
quote:Originally posted by lt496
quote:Originally posted by PC800
A note on being a deputy: many sheriff's offices do not give their deputies any employment protection. The sheriff can hire/demote them at will for anything. The local sheriff is notorious for this, one day a deputy will be a Major and the next will be a Corporal. I would not work for a Sheriffs dept that is set up like that, make sure you check on their system. Personally, if I was starting over as a young officer, I would apply to the State first, then to the biggest depts and work my way down until I got hired. The big depts have the money and the toys and the promotion potential. But don't just apply to one or two. Pick the area you want to live in, check out the depts, then apply to all the ones you like. It is rare to get your first pick, so don't be discouraged. The process is just a pain.
That does not apply to most Sheriff's Offices outside the South. I am a career S.O. professional and only the handful of "at-will" positions, set by law, that the Sheriff is authorized to appoint are in any danger.
All other employees are "Merit System" protected. I have reached the highest rank in my agency still covered by merit, which is Captain.
Anything above me is "at-will" and will change if a new Sheriff is elected, or if the Sheriff doesn't like your looks for some reason. Gone, with no recourse.
I will council that you carefully think about the job, its inherent risks, physical, emotional and others. This career can take a toll on a person and their family.
In addition, please examine your motivation and mind-set. If you are all about "law enforcement", please choose another career, we do NOT need more storm troopers swarming over the land, enforcing each and every law some moron passes.
If you are of a "Peace Officer" mind-set, then welcome. This does not mean that you will not enforce laws, but only those that are just, constitutional and with the exercise of your integrity and discretion. Then, and only then, would I encourage you to join "the club".
Feel free to contact me if you wish further info on the path you seem to have chosen grasshopper.[;)]
Glad to see what some of you have written. I believe I am of the peace officer mind set, and I do know the risks associated with this. Though you are more likely to be killed as a LEO these days it is almost as likely that you will be killed just driving to work or going to school, or anywhere else it seems. Some more questions I have, what all do you learn in police academy, and why are the physical fitness requirements so low? I would like to think that police officers should be in better shape than normal people, or maybe just certain types do?0 -
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Some more questions I have, what all do you learn in police academy, and why are the physical fitness requirements so low? I would like to think that police officers should be in better shape than normal people, or maybe just certain types do?
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Again, academies vary widely across the country. Last time I checked, Georgia's academy is only 10 weeks long, while the MD one I went through was 7 months, plus 3 more months of FTO. Once I was on board, I found out that the Chief of that dept wanted to have the longest academy in MD, longer than the State Police's, so he just kept adding time to it. But out of that entire time, I got only 80 hours of firearms, 40 hours of traffic law and 40 hours of criminal law, 40 hours of drivers training, 40 hours of First Responder training. The rest of the time was spent doing physical training, handcuffing, arrest techniques, etc. But there was a lot of just sitting around watching the clock just to put the total hours in. I am sure it could have been done in 4 months easy. As for the PT requirements being easy, go watch some PT tests being given, you will be surprised how many fail it. And once the officers graduate, many of them join the NRA (never run again) club. Did you happen to notice how heavy many of those cops were at the Va Tech shooting? I am 43 and have a desk job, but I also run just about every day and lift. I am in much better condition that the cops in my town are, from looking at them. They just graduated a female cop and I saw her today for the first time. She is about as round as she is tall, literally. There is just no way she could ever catch someone on foot. The written test is what surprised me, it was so easy. We were given 4 hours to do it and I was done in 1.5, and was #1 on the results.0 -
If you think the physical parts are easy, that may be so when you are 20 to 30 years old. They may not be so after sitting in a car for 40+ hours a week when you are 40 or 50. Your metabolism slows down and meanwhile you are trying to take care of your kids, cut grass, paint the house, clean the basement, shovel the snow, etc. You find there isn't much time left for sleeping much less going out for a walk or run. Then toss in all you do for civic groups and helping out with boy scouts, baseball practice etc...you get the idea.
When I started in LE I was 5'9" and 180 lbs and 16% body fat-about average. Twenty years later, I was 230lbs but I could still meet my dept's 2nd highest physical fitness award-but it was age adjusted and I admit I am out of shape.
I did find out that I was just as effective (in fact even more so) then I was when I was in good shape although I may not be able to run as far or as fast. Experience makes up for some of my shortcomings in the physical dept. I used my brain a lot more than my muscles later in my career. I found ways to corner or track bad guys to make up for my lack of physical stamina. I made more arrests than most of the young people and generated less complaints against myself and my department when doing so. I also admit that I admire some of those that were able to do both but at some point your physical skills WILL start to lessen-there is not much you can do about this. That is why professional athletes have such short careers. And many of those that took time to stay in great shape suffered thru other types of problems, like lack of family time which leads to divorce and losing a lot of things beside some weight.
I think it is great to be able to stay in shape and I still do try to do the same but I think you might want to do the career before judging what some others have done. Part of being a good cop is being able to look beyond your own views and opinions of the world and see it through other peoples eyes...you know...walk a mile in his moccasins...
If you can do it all, good for you. I hope you can. Maybe you can invite me to the suoercop get-togethers so I can celebrate with you. If not, you will learn to do the best you can like the rest of us have.
Or like the joke about the 2 bulls, one old and one young, sitting atop a hill looking at a bunch of cows below. The younger bulls says "lets run down there and screw us a cow" and the older bull says, "you go ahead if you want, I'd rather walk down there and screw them all."
Good luck in your career-it is an honorable one if you go about it the right way.
Once again, just my opinion....0 -
I'd encourage following a career path, be it law enforcement or anything else.
You'll be glad of the security you build up after twenty years.
Personally, I'd think a job that gets you outdoors, able to continue your physical activity, perhaps on the clock, sounds fine.0
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