I want to get into Law Enforcement...

[Muley Gil]

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Protected
...i figure that being in LE will be the next best thing to serving in the military.

If you made the above statement about LE being the "next best thing" to the military during an interview, I'm thinking that your chances of being hired would be slim to none."

I was on track to a regular commission in the Marine Corps when I had to get out, due to some medical problems. My college major at the time was history. Since I didn't see much of a career with that, I changed to criminal justice, with the reasoning, "Well, it's kinda like the military". Until that time, I hadn't considered LE at all. As a matter of fact, I can remember reading a Reader's Digest article on all of the police killings during the sixties and saying, "Tha's a job I DON'T want".

I started as a reserve deputy in the summer of 1976, earning college credit as an intern. Evidently I impressed the folks at the sheriff's department enough that they offered me a fulltime job a few months later.

I did 25 years in LE here in the States, followed by 2 years as an international police officer in Kosovo. Then came 3 years as a police advisor and training supervisor in Afghanaistan. I'm now working security on a Federal contract.

I knew reserve officers who were much more professional that the fulltimers. I knew a reserve officer who had the potential to be an excellent officer. He took the test and was about to be hired fulltime at my department. Then, his boss at his printing job offered him the same pay that I was getting and I had a 4 year degree (extra 10%) and 20 years on the job. Me, his wife, and most of the officers at the PD, told him to stay with the printer and just remain a reserve. Luckily, he did.

 

[sheriffoconee]

...a question I ask all who voice an interest in "Reserve" LEO programs.

When you get injuried, blinded or crippled doing reserve work will you still be able to do your current full time job?

It's amazing at the number of folks who ignore the possibility of the "worst case scenario".

Quoted for truth......what will happen to your life if tragedy strikes....???

 

[Rule3]

I can not speak for wanting or not wanting to be involved with LE but I can about seeking other employment while working for the Government.

State or Federal there are very specific rules as to outside employment that must be approved (if they are) before you can work outside your present job.

You need to find out through your employee handbook or personnel department what is, and what is not allowed.

 

[whitecoyote]

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.

Your lack of using capitalization makes for a very difficult read. If you're lazy here, you will be lazy on the job. Your laziness will catch up with you.
What do you think will happen when a Detective, doing your background investigation comes across this thread? You are competing with hundreds of other candidates. If I were doing your background, and saw this thread, well lets just say it would not be in your favor. I'm not trying to belitte you, just a heads up.
Good luck with your future.

 

[Protected]

Your lack of using capitalization makes for a very difficult read. If you're lazy here, you will be lazy on the job. Your laziness will catch up with you.
What do you think will happen when a Detective, doing your background investigation comes across this thread? You are competing with hundreds of other candidates. If I were doing your background, and saw this thread, well lets just say it would not be in your favor. I'm not trying to belitte you, just a heads up.
Good luck with your future.

ya how i type in my leisure time dictates my work ethic.... im really suprised by the wealth of negativity towards someone who is interested in what i thought was viewed as respectable job. and just for your info, the word detective isnt capitalized unless you are refering to a particular person as in "Detective Johnson" but i dont want to be too nit-picky, sir.

 

[G-Mac]

....i do have an associate degree.

If I may ask, what is your degree?

 

[MTS Cop]

LE is not a second job. It's not something you can do for the hell of it. It literally takes your life over. Very early in the academy an instructor told us "don't make any plans for the next 20 years". And he was absolutely right. They can change your hours as the needs of the dept require. They can order you in on your days off. Depending on staffing, good luck trying to take a day off. You can't even guarantee you'll go home on time every day. The midnight is short, so they hold some 4x12 cops. Or some drunk idiot wrecks his car 5 minutes before you're supposed to sign out, there goes the next day (I mean literally up to 24 hours) of your life. These are things they don't put in the recruitment ads or TV shows.

I have a close friend who has a job he absolutely loves. He works as a stagehand for NBC. As of yet he is not in the union so his job there isn't secure. For a whole bunch of misguided reasons he decided to join the NYPD. Mainly because he wanted to be in a job with a secure pension and benefits, also because of pressure from his family. His dad is a firefighter and an absolute believer in the glory of civil service. This kid is completely miserable. I mean I get depressed when we run into each other at work. His heart is not in this, he has no love for the work. I know his Sergeant and I'm afraid to ask about him. He would probably tell me he's a mediocre officer on a great day. It's his second job. I may not love my department but I do love being a cop. I wish this kid would just resign already and go back to being the happy go lucky stage hand I knew a year ago.

If you have a good job you love leave well enough alone. If you are really itching to play cops and robbers look into a reserve program like many have already suggested. That sounds like the best thing for your situation.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

ya how i type in my leisure time dictates my work ethic.... im really suprised by the wealth of negativity towards someone who is interested in what i thought was viewed as respectable job. and just for your info, the word detective isnt capitalized unless you are refering to a particular person as in "Detective Johnson" but i dont want to be too nit-picky, sir.

Don't write your resume like this. Good spelling and composition will open doors, bad spelling and composition will close them.

 

[OLDFED]

Protected...

...I have to agree with those who comment on your "presentation" here. As a retired "top cop", if I saw your improper spelling skills on a resume, etc., I'd pass over your application. I always wanted each person in my team to be the best representation of my department in the way they looked, acted, spoke and especially wrote reports or communications. The latter two are the meat and potatoes of law enforcement. You'll spend more time writing than you think. Reports are particularly important as you present a case in court. In my very early days, we had an officer on the department who wrote: "The man was claming for els." What he meant to convey was the man he encountered was "clamming for eels"...which is improper also. That officer became known as "Barney" and in my opinion, was an embarassment to the department. He was one of the main reasons I went on to management. I have always believed that the public deserves the best public service personnel possible, since they're paying for it and it's the "right thing" to do. Law enforcement is much more complicated than it was in my time, I don't know if you're qualified or capable, but good luck in your decision.

 

[Protected]

It was naive of me to expect support? That statement really shocks me. What shocks me even more is the fact that after stating that in "The Lounge" my writing may not be to my top potential, i continue to get negative comments such as: "don't write your resume like this". I tend to think that posting on forums such as this is more like having a conversation than writing a detailed resume.

The intent of my original post was to see what other options were available aside from what i have talked about with the three law enforcement officers that i know.

I sincerely appreciate all of the info that has been given. Please don't read any disrespect into this post, it was written with only explanation in mind, not sarcasm.

My degree is in Automotive Systems Technology, a far cry from criminal justice, but it gave me the basic skills i need to properly write, read, apply for jobs, and further my education.

I am not trying to take anything away from a full-time law enforcement officer. I have nothing but praise for someone who puts themselves in potentially harmful situations on a daily basis for what i would consider in most places to be sub-par pay. My willingness and interest to be involved in a small part of that should only bring pride to those who are officers of the law because someone else thrives to serve, protect, and sacrifice as they are or were for many years.

I'm sorry to those of you who think that a part-time law enforcement officer is a scab, disgrace, or simply holding a position from someone else who could be longing for the same job. The truth of the matter is, i am one of those people who is dedicated to this and longs for the satisfaction of serving in this manner. In fact, one of the many reasons that i am not willing to give up my current "full-time" or "first" job is because it is also very rewarding, along with being what pays the bills and puts food on the table. I work closely with military members everyday around the country, and often overseas to help them accomplish whatever their mission may be. Seeing the results of what i do everyday first-hand as well as on the news is very rewarding. My desire to join law enforcement is more focused at seeing that same sort of reward on a more "close-to-home" or local level.

I have taken EVERYONE's advice sincerely, and will continue to research my options. I will continue to check back periodically to see if there is any new information. I will also continue to post my progress for those that are interested.

Thanks to all.

 

[27145]

One thing that jumps out at me is that you have not even stated why you want to get into law enforcement. All of these pages of responses to this thread, all you have done is try to defend your lack of writing skills and chagrin that law enforcement types on this board do not welcome you with open arms.

 

[OLDFED]

Protected...what you are seeing is an overwhelmingly strong attitude from law enforcement officers who want the "best" alongside them as they chase the bad guys. LE has come a very long way from my early days, when Donut Duty was in fact a reality in some departments. In today's arena, we need gladiators...really smart gladiators who can think on their feet, backup their partners and do the right thing always. Being a computer geek; a part-time lawyer, doctor and politician help also. Psychology, sociology and an immersion in ethnic issues helps as does being able to speak a second language. I think the "negatives" you see above is nothing more than a lesson for you and others that it isn't about dinking around chasing speeders with your shining badge. LE is a very serious business that can get you or your partner seriously injured or dead. Having said that, you may indeed be qualified, but be aware that there are candidates with applicable graduate degrees who get winnowed out because hiring is down and the chief only wants the "best of the best" and probably prefers someone already experienced. If it's what you really want...go for it! Find a department which will have a program for you, but as others have stated, as a federal employee, I believe you are prohibited from such a venture. Ask OPM. Again...good luck!

 

[Protected]

Protected...what you are seeing is an overwhelmingly strong attitude from law enforcement officers who want the "best" alongside them as they chase the bad guys. LE has come a very long way from my early days, when Donut Duty was in fact a reality in some departments. In today's arena, we need gladiators...really smart gladiators who can think on their feet, backup their partners and do the right thing always. Being a computer geek; a part-time lawyer, doctor and politician help also. Psychology, sociology and an immersion in ethnic issues helps as does being able to speak a second language. I think the "negatives" you see above is nothing more than a lesson for you and others that it isn't about dinking around chasing speeders with your shining badge. LE is a very serious business that can get you or your partner seriously injured or dead. Having said that, you may indeed be qualified, but be aware that there are candidates with applicable graduate degrees who get winnowed out because hiring is down and the chief only wants the "best of the best" and probably prefers someone already experienced. If it's what you really want...go for it! Find a department which will have a program for you, but as others have stated, as a federal employee, I believe you are prohibited from such a venture. Ask OPM. Again...good luck!

Actually I have stated why I want to get into LE. It is not because I want to dink around and chase speeders... it is because I want to serve and give back to my local community and see the results of doing a good service on a local level as i have seen the results of doing good service on my current job on a more widespread basis.

And i too would want the best of the best to be beside me in a tough situation. I think your post sums up what is needed in a LEO the best that i have read so far. Of course, i have nothing to base that on except what i have heard from the 3 LEO's that i know. I expect it to be an endeavor, one that will take lots of time and sacrifice, not something that i do in my "spare time". I understand why some haven't received this well, after thinking much about it all day.

 

[The Big D]

So if LE is NOT something you want to do in your "spare time," how do you think you will be able to accommodate it in addition to your job as a federal employee?

To the point, what are you planning to do if you have duty/court/held over assignment that will keep you from your "full time"..."very rewarding"..."first job"...the one you will not leave?

Trust me, the prosecutor/judge/supervisor affected by any failure to commit to your LE job will not be happy. Similarly, your federal bosses will not be happy either.

Be safe.

Actually I have stated why I want to get into LE. It is not because I want to dink around and chase speeders... it is because I want to serve and give back to my local community and see the results of doing a good service on a local level as i have seen the results of doing good service on my current job on a more widespread basis.

And i too would want the best of the best to be beside me in a tough situation. I think your post sums up what is needed in a LEO the best that i have read so far. Of course, i have nothing to base that on except what i have heard from the 3 LEO's that i know. I expect it to be an endeavor, one that will take lots of time and sacrifice, not something that i do in my "spare time". I understand why some haven't received this well, after thinking much about it all day.

 

[MTS Cop]

+1 on the above. That's what I was trying to say, albeit more long winded. Most guys I work with who have a second job have one of them cushy office gigs that can take years to get in to and doesn't have all the instability of regular police work. Law enforcement is so unstable schedule wise that it can really be the only job you have. Ask any LEO you may know how valuable their off time is. I bet they describe it as near sacred and for good reason.

 

[mac2]

It was naive of me to expect support? That statement really shocks me. What shocks me even more is the fact that after stating that in "The Lounge" my writing may not be to my top potential, i continue to get negative comments such as: "don't write your resume like this". I tend to think that posting on forums such as this is more like having a conversation than writing a detailed resume.

Observation/comment from an outsider:

1) Also surprised at some of the negativity - isn't/wasn't Massad Ayoob a part-timer from the outset - seems to have done rather well.

2) Can see both sides of the writing aspect - would you really write your Curriculum Vitae, sorry resume :-D, in the same way as internet forum (hey, why not use textspeak, smilies and swearwords while we're about it LOL) but as an aside, you have to wonder about the standard of candidates these days wrt what you thought was common sense: people who know I've pretty much always done white collar work telling me that when I attend an interview, it should be in a suit and tie as if I'd be stupid enough to dress for the occasion in jeans and t-shirt...

 

[blujax01]

I too am surprised with the biased attitude, bitter negativity, and blatant prejudice of some posters in this thread toward less than full time peace officers. Originally coming from a rural area (Southern Ohio), I can see where hundreds of thousands of part-time Deputy Sheriffs across this country would be highly offended by that sentiment. And rightfully so.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Protected,

What State are you in? In our State, most departments have eliminated part-time, reserve or auxillary law enforcement. The main reason for this was liability. If a reserve did something that resulted in a lawsuit or worse, all they had to do was quit. There could be no suspension from the program so there were no repercussions for them like a full-time employee would have. For those of us in full-time positions, it was simply put, they had no "buy in".

Because of lawsuits, our insurance carriers increased our rates if we had a reserve program. Plus our State Minimum Standards Commission began to require that all part-timers and reserves have a minimum standards certificate.

The department I retired from, once had a booming auxillary program. I didn't mind working with an auxillary at all. They did have some training but not at the level of a full-time officer. When our State instituted the minimum standards requirement for the auxillaries, our academy started a minimum standards academy session just for the the auxillaries. When they finished the course, they received their certificates. Guess what happened next? Most of them got full-time jobs with other agencies. This effectively ended our auxillary program.

If you are determined to do this, get a full-time position. Otherwise, stay with what you enjoy.

Lastly, your writing skills appear to be just fine.

 

[Etemmu]

So it doesnt look as though you received the responses you were looking for! It sounds like your heart is in the right place. Go for it- dont let a bunch of strangers on a web forum make a decision like this for you. There are a number of men and women in law enforcement who don't belong there. Can't handle weapons safely, can't handle liquor well...some are equivalent to the criminals they incarcerate for heavens sake! Perhaps you can change that by being one of the "good guys". Good luck with whatever you decide.