Posted: 12/6/2002 8:02:52 AM EDT
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I am not currently LE, but would like to be. I am 31, in excellent shape, an active shooter, and have 2 college degrees. I currently work in computers...but am getting bored outa my gourd (talk about burn out)!!! I have two brothers in LE and they love it. Any suggestions or advice to help with getting on a dept...I hear its pretty tough here in Cent. FL. I have finally discovered you gotta do what you love regardless of the $$$....Have I missed the boat? |
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Satrt taking every test you see available to take. Maybe go someplace you may not necessarily want to stay but get your police cert then go somewhere else. My friend went NYPD, graduted, worked for two years to get off probation(18 mos) and get some experience, then rolled over to Vegas PD where he wanted to be. On a unrelated side note... A few years ago in New London, Conneticut a LE applicant was denied employment because he was deemed too smart for the job. His IQW was deemed higher than the norm for LEOs [url]http://www.chrononhotonthologos.com/lawnotes/cop104.htm[/url] Scroll down a little for the stories on this one. [url]http://www.adversity.net/0_PoliceFireMuni/PFM_intro.htm[/url] Sherm Edited to add... Don't lots of Florida PDs have reserve(volunteer) members of their departments? Another friend was a reserve deputy with West Plam Beach PD. Worked 1 or 2 nights a week and I believe eventually parlayed the experience into a full time LE job when he figured out he really did like it. |
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Thanks Sherm! Ya know that is freakin amazing that something like that could happen. Ya bust your balls to get an education to open up doors for yourself, and you hear about things like this. My brother works for the fish and wildlife service, and some those guys seem to be on the oppposite end of the spectrum. Not that they are all like that...most are outstanding guys whom have my utmost respect...but there are a few that make me wonder how they even tie their shoes in the morning. One morning duck hunting I overheard one of them say to a biologist at the check station.."The only duck I know is one of them green headed kind...mallard or something like that"...so I am thinking to myself..."and this guy is checking MY bag limit..." I am thinking about going to the local citizen's police academy next month to get some more exsposure. Anyway, thanks again. |
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I second what sherm said about checking out a reserve program. It is easier to get hired someplace onceyou are on the "inside" so to speak. My dept. for example, doesn't hire anyone "off the street". The only way to get hired is to come over from another agency or to get picked up as an auxiliary. As an auxiliary they will send you to the academy and once you graduate you can apply for a paid position. They bug me from time to time about going full time but I have a decent paying IT job and a wife and 2 small kids.....so I have resisted the temptation. I would much rather be a cop full time but I have to put my family first. Right now I consider myself to have the best of both worlds. Good luck... Stu |
| I am in the same boat. I have a newborn and can not really afford to quit my job and put myself throught the academy. I could go at night, but my IT job requires me to travel occasionally. I am really hoping to get a sponsorship through the academy (even though it does not pay much, it is better than nothing) and get hired on after completion. I will check out some local department auxillaries...Thanks Again guys! |
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At my job, the citizen's police academy is used for community leaders, block watch captains, town officials and other public figures(local clergy) who want a look-see at the police department. Ours is a two night program. One night is a primer on what the PD does, community projects, capabilities. The next night is a little more of the same and a PT/DT class on use of force, tools of the trade and a class on what it's reall like to handcuff someone who doesn't want to be handcuffed. It has helped reduce the incedencees of brutality accustaions a little and given the public a taste of what it's like to be a cop. Here in Nassau County, NY the CitPolAcad doesn't help in the hiring process. Also ,even though there are auxilliary police officers here, that too is no help whatsoever in being hired. Hiring is right off a civil service test score, a resume is submitted upon investigation, but doesn't figure into whether or not you'll be hired. Your hired if no reason is found to exclude you, not on how qualified you are. Go figure. Sherm |