...just wondering, if this should be deleted (Not moved to GD) because people ask this allot go ahead. I read the FAQs and stickies.
Wanted some advice from you guys who are already LEOs...a little background first. I am a college graduate, mid 20s, and fit 95% of most department qualifications. I never wanted to be an LEO growing up, but after I realized EMS/FF/LEOs aren't all lifers and aren't all kids who grew up dreaming to be one every day; I decided that it could be for me. I started looking about three years ago after graduating from college but I was stopped short by my accepting a regular office job which was in my college degree field; and another issue which I will outline later.
My questions, which may spawn opinionated answers and some scorn from hard liners...
I don't have a desire to work in a large department, as in a main city, huge county, or any place with exceptionally bad areas. My choices would be my local PD from the large college I graduated from, the small cities in the area, or a larger but more diverse agency such as the Fish and Wildlife sworn officers. Is this line of thinking a 'flag' for anyone?
I partied in college. I admit it. I am extremely honest and will disclose anything I have ever done and accept responsibility for everything. I tried the green stuff one time in college, and did my share of beer drinking. I have since graduated, moved on, hold a full-time 8-5 job with salary and benefits. My work ethic and references reflect this. I have answered truthfully on all department applications in the past and even got a call back from one department (Even before the 3 year period from doing these things was up). Even after the 3 year waiting period for most local PD's, will this still affect my hiring forever?
And as stated above, I did not grow up wanting to do it. It was within the last years of college I had wanted to, and is being reinforced now by me being stuck in an office all day. I want to do field work and do something I enjoy doing.
Yes, I understand that by saying all this it may seem that I want to be an LEO but dont want to 'do' an LEOs job, or 'do allot'. That is not that case. I want to do my duty, and serve, and 'do' under the department and in an area that means something to me. My alma mater university and the surrounding area mean something to me, so does wildlife and conservation.
I understand the job, the wait times, the grunt work, the paperwork, the academy period, the people, the surroundings, and that not every cop is an angel from the factory. I still want to pursue it, but worry that the issues above will derail my goal...or if what I want will not be fulfilled by being an LEO.