Law Enforcement at 31?

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:)
 
Back in 85 when I started with the Highway Patrol they didn't do lateral transfers. Despite several years of experience I had to do the Academy again at 35 yoa.

Personally I had a ball. But getting called Pop got old rather quickly. LOL.

I also would suggest your local Reserve program if thats an option. These are tough economic times, I'd weight not only the wages but the long term BENEFITS between the two jobs before I made a leap.

Good Luck....Pop's.
 
31 is not too old. I had been in the military and done other jobs before starting the academy at the age of 29, many many moons ago. After retiring from a large dept., and taking some time off, I became a rookie again at another dept., at the age of 55. I have never regretted my decision to get into LE. I have heard that, "All the world's a circus, and the cops get in for free." It has been real interesting, and I believe there's more than a little truth in that statement...
 
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I think that the calling has been presented and I will answer it. I go into the V.A tomorrow to talk to voc. rehab, they consider the academy as college and if all holds true, they will pay for two semesters of english comp. and the academy. I will be responsible for all my own equipment, weapon, duty belt, holster, cuffs, ammo, ext. The process begins, I will also have to fill out a 58 page application, whew. Any advice from LEOs? The process is long, but it took 2 1/2 years to get on the railroad so, I will be used to that.
 
This is great to hear. I went to school to be a teacher and finished my Master's degree. I taught for a year but learned it wasn't for me. I've been working in an office for the past year and have been considering law enforcement as a career because I still have the desire to work as a public servant. It's never been about the money for me, just the idea of doing good. That's what originally drew me to teaching. Turning 25 and thought maybe I was a little late to the game but I guess not.
 
I started at the ripe, old age of 36. And we have a couple of veterans who started AFTER they retired from the military in their forties. If you want it badly enough, its do-able. We find that older academy graduates tend to have somewhat better judgment and a bit of wisdom and life-experience to bring to the job. you should be fine.
 
So, the application process begins. Thanks for all of the advice you guys gave me.
 
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