for cops only?

Question

im in late years of hs and been thinking about becoming a cop. ima girl. i live in Chicago and have few questions. im confused about the degree u have to get in order to be a cop. which one? associates or bachelors-and how long is each? and wats the difference. how often u get paychecks-every week or by every two? do u chose to ride with a partner? also can u tell me if this is close of wat ur getitn as a cop or something?(link below) i dont really have anyone to ask bout this, so if ur a cop can u tell me something about the job wherever u r? ill b really thankful.

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0045769972.1161227276@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccaddimhkeeidcefecelldffhdffn.0&contentOID=536884045&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&blockName=Police%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Police&deptMainCategoryOID=

Answer 1

Addressing the schooling first. Most departments take as little as 2 years at a community college. Others require a 4 yr degree. If you have a department in mind check with them on their requirements. You could save money with the 2 yr option and then many agencies will pay partial costs for further education.

Most governmental agencies pay every 2 weeks.

As for partners. Well that is out of your hands in most cases. In fact many departments you will work alone.

It is a great career and I wish you luck.

Answer 2

Well, the exact requirements will be different for each department. A state certifications board sets the minimum requirements to become an officer in each state, but it is up to each individual department to add more as they feel the need.

Here is a link to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. http://www.ptb.state.il.us/ They have links and resources you might find helpful.

You should check the departments you are interested in applying to, and see what the requirements are for them. I looked at the Chicago PD link you provided, so here's a summary:

You have to be at least 21 years old and less than 40 years old. You have to have a valid driver's license. You must live in the city of Chicago. As for education, you have to either have 4 years of continuous military service OR 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of study at an accredited school. Also acceptable is 1 year of military service together with half the college time.

So according to that, you don't have to actually have completed your degree, you just have to have a certain amount of time in college. Or you can have spent 4 years in the military. But since you have to be at least 21, and it will come in handy, you may as well finish your degree. It will work better for you in the end.

For you other questions: An associate's degree is normally 2 years, and a bachelor's is normally 4. They can be a little more or a little less, but those are the average. Most departments pay every two weeks. You generally do not get to chose whether or not to ride with a partner, or who that partner will be. That decision is based on the needs of the department. They pay listed for Chicago is quite a bit more than the pay where I am, but the cost of living in Chicago is also quite a bit higher than here. It probably balances out to about equal.

The job where I am? I'm in a mid-sized Southern metropolis. We have a department of about 500 sworn officers (though many are overseas right now with the military). Here, you do not need a college degree, but having one will increase your pay automatically. The other requirements are about the same, but we don't have an upper age limit. As long as you can pass our physical tests, you aren't too old. I am a juvenile enforcement detective, so I work with any crime involving juveniles, as suspects or offenders. I've been here a few years, and I enjoy my job. I get to help kids when they need it most. Sometimes, I'm the only one who can help. Law enforcement is not an easy job, and it's not one for everyone. But if you can handle it, it's the greatest job in the world.

Answer 3

I lived in the Chicago area also but I am now working with a PD in IN full time. I have applied in IL and i can awnser a few of your questions. to be a cop you need a 4 year degree in most departments some will accept a 2 year degree, IL is what is called a post state which requires 4 year degrees. it doesn't have to be in anything special but a degree in law enforcement never ever hurts. Every department is different with partners some are single cars some you have a partner even if you don't want to most don't give you the choice its what ever there policy is. The pay seems about right for the city of Chicago. If you are looking into a career in law enforcement i would suggest doing a cadet, explorer, or reserve program before you go through the long process to be a sworn merit officer since the process is very very long. This will def give you a idea if it is exactly what you want to do. you can always email me if you have more questions you can find my email under my profile. I wish you the best of luck in a field which is very exciting and rewarding.

Answer 4

Well, I don't you would be required to have a degree, but I'm not in Chicago. However the more college you get the faster you get promoted and the more money you'll make to start with. They call it incentive pay. Each department has it's own set pay schedule. I am glad to hear that you are interested in being a Peace Officer, we need more good women on the street. Usually it's not up to you to pick a partner, but a lot of bigger departments have two man units. I think that if you can get an AA or BA, BS or higher you would benefit greatly from that. Take Care and Stay Safe.

Answer 5

I looked at the website and what it says is that you have to have 60 hours of college. what the accredidation sentence means is that they have to be approved from a list of colleges in your particular region. ( a particular governing body that regulates and accredidtes colleges) You can accreidate yourself out of your garage and call yourself a college if wanted to, so that is what they are avoiding there. These colleges can transfer thier credits too. You see a lot of online and home school colleges advertised now, most will not transfer hours. They are considered real colleges, but nobody reconizes them as much as they say. basicy you need to go to a real college and get 60 hours.

///////Education/Military Service: Applicants must have at least 60 semester- (90 quarter-) hours of credit from a college or university
////////accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies responsible for evaluating two- and four-year institutions
///////that grant Associate's and Bachelor's degrees.

associates degree is a two year degree where a bachlors is a 4 year degree.

Pay checks vary between cities and states.

when you first get on the streets you will proboly ride with a partner for 3-6 months as field training. After that I do not know, because I am not familiar with the Chicago Police Department's policies. I would guess both ways.

I do not work for a large agency , but this website reflects a lot of other larger websites I have seen in Texas for large departments here.

Note the minimum age is 21 to go to thier academy. Getting a job as a jailer if you can get on in your area ( I don't know the age reqirements and laws there) would be a very good thing to have on your resume before going to the academy.

email me with any other questions, good luck

Answer 6

I don't know about the department there in Chicago, but in most departments, they require at least an associates degree in Criminal Justice.

Answer 7

I don't know about what your state requirement's are but I you visit the link below it could answer alot of your Question about pay and the skills you need IE Degree

http://www.dps.state.al.us/public/misc/trooperjob/

Answer 8

im not a cop but i reacon u should go for it