Any police officers?

If so, can you guys give me some advice on eduaction after high school? Do recruiters like bachelor's degrees?

-Eric

It�s always a positive on your background to have a college education but rarely a requirement. Also, keep your record clean of all criminal violations. Make sure that when you drive your vehicle you are careful to obey the rules of the road. Traffic tickets stop many applicants from making it through the process.

The process to become a law enforcement officer in America is highly competitive. When I applied to the Riverside County Sheriff�s Department in 1991, 1600 applications were received. Out of that 1600 only 11 applicants were hired.

On a positive note, there are two huge things you can do for yourself if you want to maximize your chances for employment. The first is to pay your own way through a police academy. It took ten months out of my life but I was able to do it part time at my own expense. This saves your future department money and gives them a solid candidate to examine. They can then know that you made it through the academy and they can see how well you did.

The second is not to give up. Don�t stop applying to departments even if the first few turn you down. Every department looks for different things in a potential candidate. What failed you at one department could be viewed as insignificant in another. A character trait could be seen both as a strength and a problem depending on the individual agencies outlook.

I know of one academy graduate in my class who applied to 26 departments before he was finally accepted! This guy wanted it bad.

So to sum it all up:

Keep your criminal record clean.
No traffic violations.
Consider putting yourself through the academy.
Don�t give up.

There are other big tips I could give you on the process but I reserve those for people whom I know directly.

Good luck!

I agree with the above as far as obeying the law in all circumstances but there are other factors that will contribute to your success, the main factor will be your mentality in handling certain situations.

Most metropolitan areas forgive minor traffic offenses(Small 2 cop towns look down on this) so don't let that haunt your past but don't start piling them on if law enforcement is your ambition.

Again mentality will always be number one so keep cool and calm.

Best to you.



[Edited on 23-10-2004 by evecasino]

Also see if your town has a "Special" Police division. Working part-time as a Special can give you experience in the field. If special classes are available to prepare you for an entrence exam, take them. While college may not be required, it may help you later in moving up in rank, or different fields in Law Enforcement.

if you do become a cop, make a difference, and prove the "all cops are crooked" steriotype wrong


stay safe, TSK

[Edited on 10-23-2004 by theshadowknows]

Thank you all very much.