I want to get into Law Enforcement...

[Protected]

so after many weeks of thinking about this, and thinking it would just be a phase, i have decided that i really want to get into some form of law enforcement. i must add that i have a full-time job now that i do not plan to give up. any info or hurdles i might face id be glad to hear about. Thanks.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Do you have a college degree or credits? A degree always helps. Doesn't have to be in criminal justice either.

 

[Iggy]

See if some of the local agencies have a reserve officer program.

You can find out if you really want to get into LE without giving up an existing job.

You won't be able to keep your job and be a good LEO too.

 

[Faulkner]

Lots of report writing so you'll have to learn to use capital letters. As part of the command staff one of the first things I look at is the candidates writing and vocabulary skills.

 

[Protected]

im generally lazy on the internet with my grammar lol. However, i do have an associate degree. I was also planning on taking the BLET course at my local community college.

as for giving up my current job, no way! i am an employee of the federal government and love my job. The job also pays well and has excellent benefits. i know my grandfather was an LEO as a 2nd job. i plan to also talk to him about it before i do anything.

 

[G-Mac]

as for giving up my current job, no way! i am an employee of the federal government and love my job. The job also pays well and has excellent benefits.

Hmmm...let's see now...

you work for the Federal government...

you love your job...

it pays well and has excellent benefits...

no way you would give it up...

but you want a change?

Ummm...OK...I guess.

 

[rocketdog]

Do you like donuts?

 

[Faulkner]

Do you like donuts?

Our sheriff does not allow officers to eat donuts while in uniform. Has it as a written policy.

 

[27145]

 

[Damn Yankee]

Join the Reserve's. I am a Reserve officer and can get all of the law enforcement I want. I have my own car which I keep at the house. Last year the Sheriff bought the Reserve's 6 new cars, 4 Crown Vics and 2 Tahoo's. We have 12 cars just for the Reserve's. We have a Mounted unit and Marine patrol.One of our Reserve Officer even has a dog. We do everything from High School ball games,Mardi Gra Parades,Road Patrol, Funreal Escort and Security.



Once you become road certified you can go out anytime you want night or day. If you want to ride wih the regulars as a 10-31 the realley appreciate you going with them.

 

[g_conway]

look at officer.com forum.

Made up mostly of LEO's.

They even have specific areas for people who want to become one.

Good luck

 

[johnsonl]

Check out a reserve program if you want something different. I'm a fed and I'd never give it up. Think about transferring to a fed law enforcement agency. You'll be able to keep your grade and time in service toward retirement.

 

[Protected]

Check out a reserve program if you want something different. I'm a fed and I'd never give it up. Think about transferring to a fed law enforcement agency. You'll be able to keep your grade and time in service toward retirement.

this is something i hadnt thought of.

 

[Gun-runner]

Do you have a college degree or credits? A degree always helps. Doesn't have to be in criminal justice either.

This always kills me. You can have a degree in "worm farming" and have no common sense but you can get a law enforcement job before a highschool grad with common sense.

 

[Protected]

Hmmm...let's see now...

you work for the Federal government...

you love your job...

it pays well and has excellent benefits...

no way you would give it up...

but you want a change?

Ummm...OK...I guess.

i didnt say i wanted a change... i said i wanted to get into law enforcement. in my case it would have to be part time.

 

[Armyphotog]

You better make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for, is all I can say. It may not be what you think it is. Do you not have a relative or someone you can trust that has been in law enforcement to discuss it with?

 

[G-Mac]

i didnt say i wanted a change... i said i wanted to get into law enforcement. in my case it would have to be part time.

Sorry. I misunderstood. Good luck in your search.

 

[Protected]

You better make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for, is all I can say. It may not be what you think it is. Do you not have a relative or someone you can trust that has been in law enforcement to discuss it with?

yes i do, my grandfather is a retired LEO and i have 2 good friends who are in LE that i talk to all the time.. i am aware of the up and downs as much as one can understand without actually doing it. for me its about like any job, theres gonna be things you like, and theres gonna be things you hate. its just this job comes with more risk.

 

[g_conway]

yes i do, my grandfather is a retired LEO and i have 2 good friends who are in LE that i talk to all the time.. i am aware of the up and downs as much as one can understand without actually doing it. for me its about like any job, theres gonna be things you like, and theres gonna be things you hate. its just this job comes with more risk.

Related to the reserve programs...

Most jurisdictions have gone to a POST level 1 requirement even for reserve programs. You would have to go through everything a normal LEO would, and if you wanted to convert to full time, you would be required to do it all again.

Look long and hard before going reserve.

 

[27145]

Maybe it is me, but being a reserve Po is kind of a scab. The municipality won't have to hire a cop if they have enough "reserve" officer's. In NYC we had unarmed Auxilliary APO's. Most of them looked like they were dropped off by the short bus.

Police work is a calling and a devotion, you don't do it part time. Sorry if I have offended anyone, but it is my opinion.

 

[A10]

27145, you are welcome to your opinion, but understand that there are lots of areas in the country whose LE needs outweigh their ability to hire officers, especially for public events. The reserves fill a necessary void.

 

[27145]

27145, you are welcome to your opinion, but understand that there are lots of areas in the country whose LE needs outweigh their ability to hire officers, especially for public events. The reserves fill a necessary void.

A10 I trust your judgement. I have learned so much about this Country just from reading posts on this forum. You get used to one way of life and just figure it applies every where. I just hope a reserve doesn't deny a good caring gung ho cop a job. In NYC they held down our salaries so they could hire more cops, at one point there were 41,000 cops on NYPD.

I will take your post as a learning lesson.

 

[oldman45]

No offense meant personally but you need to forget a LE job.

You may want the excitement (actually hrs of boredom coupled with fifteen minutes of action) or the ladies that love men in uniform (uniforms do not help some) or whatever the reason. But the fact is you are not serious and by having a place is LE, you will be taking the place that would be held by someone that needs a job and willing to work at a lower paying job.

LE is NOT a second job. If it is, you are not taking it seriously. Many officers hold a second job because they want to be able to pay their bills, send kids to college or simply live in a nicer place. LE is THEIR job, their life and their ambition since childhood. Many have MBA degrees. I know two that went to law school while being patrol officers and remained with the dept until they retired and then began practicing law. Good officers are dedicated, hard working guys that enjoy their work and would never look at LE as a second job.

As another said, go get a gig with a dept that has a reserve group. If your local dept does not have such, then talk with the Chief about starting one.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Hopefully, this is just a passing fancy for you. If you are happy in your present position, don't do it. Besides...your present employer may not allow such "moonlighting" jobs. Many government entities don't allow working for other government entities.

And, "No man can serve two masters" Matthew 6:24. I have found this verse to be very true about a great many things in addition to the subject He is speaking of.

 

[blujax01]

Seems to me that if a young person has an interest in any career development, that person should be encouraged to pursue it.

Go for it. At the very least, you will learn a lot about how the system works and you may find a place as a volunteer, a part time reserve, private security, or even decide you want to go for it full-bore. This could be the beginning of a major life change. Or not. Who knows?

But if you do nothing and always wonder if you missed an opportunity, you WILL regret it!

Or you could sit around listening to a bunch of old farts telling you how it "should" be.

IMO, we need more "Good Guys" out there.

Vaya Con Dios

 

[Grog]

This always kills me. You can have a degree in "worm farming" and have no common sense but you can get a law enforcement job before a highschool grad with common sense.

You have to pass the same tests, it's not like they shove you into the street with new gear and a pat on the back.


Besides, a four year degree now is about the same as a high school diploma of 20-30 years ago.

 

[Grog]

LE is NOT a second job.

blah blah blah blah

Good officers are dedicated, hard working guys that enjoy their work and would never look at LE as a second job.

I call B.S. That's like saying all 1911 jam and all Glocks are black.


I've known a few P/T guys who had really good jobs that allowed them to do LE work on their own terms, without worrying about money and having to work two jobs.

 

[GatorFarmer]

There's a ready solution to be had. Join the National Guard or Army Reserve and see about an opening for MPs. You'll likely deploy a lot, but your job should be there waiting for you when you get back. (The Navy Reserve also has something along those lines with the Master at Arms program.) You'll get your student loans - if any - paid for and get some money towards a 4 year degree.

I actually sort of wish I did have a degree in worm farming. It'd have been more useful than one in Bus. Admin... but I digress...

Oh, and whatever the recruiter says, it will be an eight year thing. The last two are in the IRR and people have been called up from that regularly during the current set of wars.

 

[oldman45]

I call B.S. That's like saying all 1911 jam and all Glocks are black.


I've known a few P/T guys who had really good jobs that allowed them to do LE work on their own terms, without worrying about money and having to work two jobs.

Actually not. A part time LEO will most likely be a reserve officer or be on a small time department.

As I understood the OP, he is wanting a full time job with a LEA so he would be working two full time jobs.

Another poster correctly made a good point by saying that having two jobs will not make an effective officer.

LEO is a lifetime career and not for personal entertainment. While there is a lot of satisfaction in LE, it requires dedication and hard work to get satisfaction.

 

[george minze]

Stay where you are !! Law Enforcement is more a life style than a job...addictive to say the least......As someone stated law enforcement is hours of mundane, preventive enforcement. Not to mention "regulation of non-criminal behavior" (Traffic) Interrupted by short term adrenalin overloads..Depending where you work the time goes by fast. You find yourself not ready to go home addicted to the unusual, and the human tragedy called life. I picked it, I loved it, until I progressed into specialized law enforcement...I found out what I really loved was the streets...I had a interesting career, but none of it was as satisfying as being a street cop with all the pluses and minuses. You might think it is part time, but get hooked and you find yourself justifying your choice of giving up your good paying and relativity safe job,to put on the badge full time. Before you make a decision go to "Officer Down" web site......good luck what ever you do...My comment isn't meant to be critical. Just realistic...face it I came from the old days, maybe things have changed....I doubt it ...rules might have changed, but the job is still "To Serve and Protect"