What to do after college, but before law enforcement...?

Question

I will be graduating college in a year, and would like to become an officer, but would like to ENSURE to myself and prove to the department that I will be ready for it when I apply. Before I became interested in law enforcement, I took 3-4 hits of marijuana 3 times over a course of 2 years, the most recent about a year ago. I personally don't feel that enough time has passed to indicate that I won't do it again, and I believe most departments would agree. I know that I will keep a clean slate from now on, but I still want time to pass (at least 2 yrs) , b/c what better way to prove it than to show it? Anyway, it would also help for me to gain some life experience, and get into shape.

So what can I do during this time to prepare for a career in law enforcement? I will certainly take the opportunity to volunteer as much as I can, but I will need to make a living as well. What paying job could I take on in the meantime? I've considered joining the military, but are there other options

I'll also be doing my part to have good credit, job references, etc. please only ppl with experience law enforcement answer! (no thanks to the "i hate cops, cops should die" speech)

Answer 1

The military is an option but if it's not your thing, start by checking out the departments in your area and determine which ones you would like to apply to. While there are physical standards across the board, some departments have more demanding requirements than others.

Once you have determined an area you want to work in..drive it, learn it, now it by heart. A big thing for new hires is, quite simply, getting lost lol

Learn the sidestreets, the one ways....all that fun stuff. It helps to know where you're going for sure and if you aren't familiar with the area now, it will look good to that department when you apply to be able to say, oh yeah, I know it pretty darn well.

Seems silly, but if you are looking at working in a large metro area...this will help lots.

If the departments you are looking at offer some sort of physical training schedule or better yet the course you will have to complete...do it. Train for it, practice it, run it over and over again to improve your times. If you smoke, nows the time to quit. More and more departments are cracking down on this and want former smokers to be smoke free for a considerable length of time before hiring.

As for the rest, you are correct. Stay clean, get the credit clean.

As for jobs in the interim....yeah yeah, people will mock but consider private security. I worked private in college and I've never been made fun of or been told it was a dumb move. In fact, most officers hold off duty security positions for extra money. It's a decent stepping stone but be sure to research the companies in your area and pick a good one! Loss prevention in a large store is also an option to consider. Both of these jobs will give you the ability to interact with the public in good and not so good situations, people skills are always a bonus. Learning to verbally calm down a situation is something you can't be taught, its just learned and both of these jobs are a good place to start.

You can also contact those departments and ask about auxillary or explorer positions. Departments have their own names for them but it's basically a non com position and a good way to learn about how a PD runs.

Good luck!

Answer 2

In addition to the military, especially something like the National Guard, as preparation, consider other jobs in the law enforcement field. Look at being a dispatcher or jail guard for the department you want to work for. This way, the supervisors who make the decision will also get to know you and see what you can do.

I will also second the recommendation about going to a smaller town's police department. Most of them are chronically short of people and have lower standards when it comes to hiring. The downside is that they also have lower pay, which is why they are short of people.

Answer 3

Jump right into a police academy, like College of the Redwoods Police Academy in Eureka CA. It's like going to college for a few months. It will introduce you to the job and prep you for it, and they will help you get placed afterward.

If you join the military as an MP, you could get some money together and have some experience in regular life, as a soldier, and as law enforcement. You have to stay clean in the military, and you'll definitely get into shape, and most departments give you a military preferrence in hiring.

Answer 4

You can join the military and get in the Military Police. Or, if you want to be a federal agent, get a military job flying helicopters. Whatever you do, do not be a security guard somewhere. Real cops will laugh at you for this and you will never have any respect.

You can try to get a job at the DA's office doing clerical or administrative work if you don't want to go the military route.

Answer 5

Get to know your neighbors. They will be used as a reference. Help them any way you can. Check out participation in junior patrol teams. Start taking notice of people and their details. The entrance test will entail remembering details. Read books and info on web sites about the law enforcement career.

Answer 6

Army MP, just understand that as much as most civilians hate cops, most soldiers hate MPs just as much. If you are devoted and not out to prove how much of a badass you can be, I wish you the best of luck. But if you want to be a cop just to have power over others, find another line of work.

Answer 7

search out your local national guard and see what they have to say about being an MP for a couple years. its great training and experience for a civilian job in law enforcement. and most states are giving a $40,000 signing bonus for MP recruits right now

Answer 8

Go work on your masters

But you should go to work for a small department, or perhaps even go to work in corrections for a few years if you don't want to try for the bigger departments.

Military is ok also