I just graduated from high school. I'm in the Detroit area and I want to become a cop. To be a cop in Detroit you don't even need college training, only a high school diploma or G.E.D. and must be at least 18 years of age. I have both so I do qualify. Should I just apply to be a police officer or what can I do to find some type of work in a police environment while I go to college for criminal jusice??? Thanks!
2006-07-21 10:18:57 · 13 answers · asked by linda l 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Well I can only tell you from experience. If you are sure you want to take that path then just apply for the job. 18 is a bit young if you ask me but it is doable.
Maybe they have a jailer position or dispatch or something to let you get your feet wet first so you can be around the environment and see for yourself if that is what you want to commit to.
It is a thankless job and a high risk occupation, and it isn't an 8 hour a day job Monday thru Friday 8 to 5. You will spend hours waiting for court that may or may not ever go forward to trial and you will put the same people in jail over and over again. It will be frustrating and only slightly rewarding and burn out is very common within the first 5 years.
You will be judged by your peers, civilians, supervisors, attorneys and even judges. Law enforcement work is 7 hours and 45 minutes of Boredom followed by 15 minutes of sheer panic. In 5 years if you decide to join the ranks of police you will most likely become very cynical and won't have many friends outside of law enforcement period. The Divorce rate among Police is extremely High also. It' is not just a job it is a life style.
2006-07-21 10:33:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hate cops too, but here's some good advice, regardless... go to the Detroit police and start doing ride-alongs with them. That will help you get your foot through the door. Most departments will put you through the academy if you plan on joining the force. So, just find out how that works. I wouldn't waste your time going to college now, because once you graduate the academy, you can join the force, and then they will pay for your college. You are just wasting your money right now.
2006-07-21 10:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by pharcydetrip 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of guys go and serve in the military before becoming a cop. You get a lot of training there that will prepare you for being a police officer. (This what my son is doing.) If you don't want to be in the military full-time, try to reserves (although they are being kept pretty busy right now.) If you are going to go to college first, you could work part-time as a security guard to get some experience.
2006-07-21 10:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by runningviolin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can get the schooling in, go for it -- you get a lot of training that will make you a much smarter, better cop. Balancing that work with the compassion neccessary for that line of work to even begin to serve the public good is hard as heck; never forget that there is no one beyond saving (and I don't mean religion, just basic humanity/rehabilitation), but your job will deal with the harder choices, how to reach the few you can while protecting those it's your job to protect. I don't envy the work but have admired the courage and wisdom I've met in a few of those folks. Please don't be a bad cop!
2006-07-21 10:32:28 · answer #4 · answered by stereogrammetric mutoscope 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well... To be quite honest with you, that's a question that you have to answer for yourself. You seem like a bright person and if you feel that you should apply to become an officer, I think you should do it, then again, if you want to know where some other police environment work will take you, do this. It all comes down to where your heart is, so do what you REALLY want to do!
2006-07-21 10:26:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check to see if the Detroit area police have any sort of program that'll assist you with your education. That way, you could start doing the job you love and continue qualifying yourself to do it at the same time!
Good luck with your chosen profession! My dad was a cop for 28 years before he retired - it's a heck of a job! :)
2006-07-21 10:22:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jinx U 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to go to college while you work before you become a police officer, work in a jail to get some experience. Departments like jail experience.
Look for a department and find out what it takes to get into those department so you have an idea on what you have to do.
Start looking for the job early. Get your face known. It is hard to get a job out of the academy
2006-07-21 18:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please understand why the departments min qualifcations may be merely a high school education, I bet you will find that the people who really get hired has at least 2 years of college or police expereince somewhere else.
I would go to college and get a business of computer degree.
Computers are a new item of interest for police, due to high amount of computer crimes.
2006-07-21 13:28:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would help you FINANCIALLY, if you got a COLLEGE degree BEFORE you went into the work!! It's an honorable postion either way! Congrats!!
2006-07-21 10:22:58 · answer #9 · answered by thewordofgodisjesus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate cops
2006-07-21 10:22:26 · answer #10 · answered by Ri Ri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋