Law Enforcement at 31?

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gunguy0829

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Ok, so I served 5 years in the Army, owned my own auto repair business and now work for the railroad. Outside the army the only thing that stired my passion was law enforcement. I am 31 now and wondering if any other LEO out there thinks my prime for this career is past. I am not so sure, pay from the railroad will be cut in half, but I am more about the job than the money. Any thoughts?
 
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I'm not in LE, but I can say that you are very far from being past your prime. I would say that if you want it, and you can meet the standards, go for it. Just make sure to do your research and make sure you're OK with how it will affect your life, like the impact of the salary change. If you have a family, I'd also suggest making sure they're on board.

Then again, I'm seriously considering applying to medical school in a few years when I'm 40-41, so what do I know?
 
Look into your city are county Reserve Officer programs. I worked as a Reserve from 74 till 2006. What a ball. You'll find if you really want to be there that way before you jump in with both feet. I was already ruined by the difference in pay at GM. just my thoughts.
 
If it's what you want, go for it. Sure beats wondering "What if?" years down the road.
I'm 34, and managed to get into Fed LE last year. Best real job I've ever had. Although, oddly enough, when I was waiting for the hiring process to end, knowing I couldn't last much longer in my then craptacular job, the railroads were something that held interest for me if I didn't get 'the call.' Go figure.
As long as you're not badly out of shape, the added life experience and general maturity you have over the typical younger applicants will make up for any disadvantages a few more years of age bring.
 
I have a friend that was an insurance adjuster. He and I were talking one night when he told me he really was tired of his job and wanted to become an attorney. I advised him to go to law school and become one. He said he was 38 yrs old and it would take three years to finish law school so he would be 41 when he got out. I just asked him how old he would be in three years if he did not go to law school.

He is now 62 and has his own law firm, employing five people and enjoying his work because he gets to help people.

If you think you would enjoy LE, then go for it. The main thing is having the support of your family.
 
You have a lot of good years ahead of you. I went full time LE at 37 after retiring from the Air Force. That was 17 years ago and I'm still at it, I have no regrets, it's been a good ride. Get in shape if you're not already. Your prior military will be an advantage. Just bear in mind that real life LE isn't like the TV shows, five minutes of excitement followed by 3 hours of reports.
 
Lots of good advice. Keep in mind the fact that cities and states are cutting back on police officers, firemen, etc. If there's any way you can participate in an "auxiliary" program go for it. If you could continue your FT job and work in LE part-time that would give you good exposure to the criminal justice system. Your age, and experience, are not liabilities but assets. As we get older we have more regrets for things we didn't try than things we tried and failed. Best of luck.
 
Dang! I got into reserve work at 40, went full time at 45, worked the streets on nights for two years then made detective. I just didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up untill I turned 39. You have plenty of time just don't waste it. By the way if you are married MAKE SURE SHE IS ON BOARD! And my pay was cut in half too.
 
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I started at 31. The only problem I had was all the really young kids in the academy with me. Its hard to go out for beers after work when most of them are not old enough to buy beer or bullets....
 
Ethang said:
I started at 31. The only problem I had was all the really young kids in the academy with me. Its hard to go out for beers after work when most of them are not old enough to buy beer or bullets....
Click to expand...

Around here, one must be 21 to even apply for a job in LE. Add to that, they have to have a minimum of 30 hrs of college.
 
Well they are having a lot of cut backs, however I have a chance to be a railroad cop, I have the upper hand because I work for the railroad, all I have to do to get the job is go through a police academy. I have the 2 semesters in english comp. required to enter the academy in Colorado, no felonies or bad marks on my record. I just have to get in, i.e interview process and all the great paperwork that goes with it. The pay is cut in half, but I get to keep my great benifits and retirement that I have built up. I know it is not like the movies, I have many relitives that were LE, It is just the kind of thing I like doing, helping and protecting, is what I know, same reason I went in the Army.
 
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If you can handle the pay cut I say go for it. Like my Dad always said when I was growing up; everything is a job except law enforcement and ministerial work, they are both callings. And when you feel the call it's hard to not answer it. Sounds like you have heard that call.
 
I don't think your crazy because you want to be a LEO at 31 years old, I just think your crazy for wanting to be a LEO. Just kidding...:D
 
Do it. I became a federale at 32, just hit the 20 year mark and I'm still having fun. If things get lean you can always do auto repair on the side.
 
LOL, I may be crazy, but I think like mlk13 said, I feel no matter what I do, I keep getting a feeling this is what I am to do. I have never pursued this career, but when I got out of the Army, it was the only other job I could imagine me doing, just never did it. The railroad is a great career, great money, but it is not fufilling. I may have to go back to school, but i am pretty sure I meet the college requirements, just dont have a degree, would anyone know if it is better to have an associates in criminal justice? Any Colorado LEO out there?
 
I was 40 yrs old when I started the academy (still on terminal leave - retirement 22 yrs Army). As long as you are in shape, you're good to go. Your age is an asset (you are older and wiser and not as impulsive as the 21/22 yr olds that will be in your class). You also have real world experience that only time on this planet can provide.

I'm going on 3 yrs now and still love it. You have to love this line of work, because you will not be doing it for the money.
 
After a career in LE,my thoughts have been confirmed many times over that one should be at least 30 or past it before going into LE. Having had military experience and gained maturity is a plus in your favor.Go for it.
30 is not past prime for anything,believe me.;)
 
I have two friends who started way after 31. One retired at 48 from his 30 in the army as a CWO4. He retired at 65 from my dept. and moved back east to a small county in OKLA to retire and work as a reserve deputy. He became the sheriff after a couple of years there. Second one became a deputy at 55 and retired at 75 only because of his wife's health issues. He was physically fit and able to out run and out perform many of the 20 something kids he worked with.
If you want it then go for it.
 
In the "for what it's worth department" regarding age, the majority of the public would rather see a little gray hair on a LEO when they need one than an officer who looks like he/she should be in high school. Sort of like the passenger who commented (after the Miracle on the Hudson) that when he entered the plane he was glad to see gray hair on the pilot flying the aircraft. With age comes experience, for which there's no substitute.
 
gunguy0829 said:
I get to keep my great benifits and retirement that I have built up.
Click to expand...

It might be financially better to work as a LEO in a non-railroad organization. Many departments have retirement after 20 years. That way you would have 2 retirement checks coming in, and one would start while you are still in your 50s.

Also, don't forget that railroad retirement income can offset some of your social security income, so it may not actually be as atractive *then* as it looks right now. There are other possible interactions - see
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v31n9/v31n9p15.pdf
 
You can go FED until you're 37, go to USAJOBS and take a look at all of the different agencies and jobs available. The pay & bennies are pretty good, I came in at 27 and will have 30 years in this May, if you like LE work, go for it! Good luck...
 
YUP! One of my buddies worked with the Electric Co. making good money, Quit and went to work for the police dept part time for 1 year before he went to the academy. He's still there and thats been 15-16 years now.
He says he enjoys it.......
Nothing like riding around drinking coffee and eating donuts......
just kidding GO FOR IT!!

We can say we all know someone in LE....
 
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Go for it. I was Security Police in the USAF back in the early 80's when I was a kid, got out and did all kinds of things including becoming a respiratory therapist but ever lost the desire to be back in LE. I got my chance almost 20 years later, at 41, next month will be 8 years.
 
I was 28 and I think it is better in most cases to hire guys in this line of work with life experience. These young kids that barely just hit puberty or turned old enough to buy a beer have no idea in most cases what the real world is like. Starting off at 31 is not a bad age.
 
LEO at 31 ?

gunguy0829: I'm retired LEO myself. Started @ 21 on street patrol, and worked myself up to div. commander before retiring a few years ago. Best job i've ever had! Speeking as one who has written entrance exams, & taught at academies your age & military experience is a bonus. You may want to take a few classes on writing & grammer, as the paper work is endless! I met my wife of 30yrs while " covering " her on a traffic stop. Having both of us in LE has really helped in our marriage, as we both understand what a emotional toll the job takes on one's life. It trully is a calling. Bless you for answering the call. Remember, we are all members of the largest street gang in America! Good luck!!
 
31 is a good figure - I turned 31 about 2 weeks before I became a Federal Agent. If its what you want to do you are never to old:)
 
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