What's the best way to advance in the ranks of law enforcement?

Question

After becoming a police officer, I really honestly want to get serious about taking it further, perhaps an Agent

Answer 1

It is really hard to answer this question without having a specific agency in mind as every agency does promotions differently. In New Jersey, local civil service police departments hold testing for promotions. You take a battery of tests and your score is compared to everyone else's from your department who is trying for the same promotion. Where you rank on the list is the order in which the department will promote. After the list is issued the promotion has to be approved by both the local city/town's council/mayor and the police chief. If you are looking to become a federal agent I would not recommend local police work first, but perhaps joining the military as an MP. Good luck!

Answer 2

You are going down the same path I hope to travel... telling from my name, I want to do FBI, DEA, CIA, etc.

Here's my plan:

I just joined the Navy, I ship off for boot in 3 weeks as a Master at Arms... (Navy Police)

I already have some college credits, I plan on having my BA degree (which will be paid for), or being very close, by the time I finish my 4 year enlistment.

After I get out, I'll get a job as a state trooper, which shouldn't be too hard with 4 years experience as an MP and a BA degree, even though I am a white male.

While working as a trooper, I'll use the VA home loan, as well as a partial mortgage, to get myself my own house, new car, etc, all while using the GI bill to take night classes at a local campus. All the credits I take there will also be paid for.

After 2-3 years of night classes I should have my Masters degree. A masters degree, experience as a State Trooper, and four years in the military should make be a pretty good candidate for a better/higher paying law enforcement job. I think there wouldn't be a much more rewarding job than working in a sex crimes type unit, getting child molesters off the streets... and roughing them up a bit in the process :)

Anyways, that's what I hope to accomplish, based on what I've researched. I know it sounds like a lot, taking night classes while being a trooper, etc, but I've grown used to working a lot while taking a full schedule.

Either way, best of luck to you, hope I helped.

Answer 3

On my dept., the best way I've seen to advance is to be a butt-kisser, be incompetent and screw up. Seriously, the way my dept. is going, those are the people who get promoted. We have very few competent, common-sense superviors. The few that we do have usually end up stuck as a patrol Sgt. or are so afraid of liability after attending supervisor school, they can't or won't make a decision. The old adage of "S*** rising to the top" is a true statement where I work.
And for those of you who are wondering why don't I leave if it's so bad? --- I've got 26 yrs on and will retire in 4 more. I'm too old and broken to go anywhere else.

Answer 4

A agent with who? Any law enforcement division or branch revolves around one thing...crime(duh!). My advise is get a couple years as a beat cop and get some street knowledge. Get out there and get do some damage on street level first. Learn how and why some crimes happen. Recruit informants and get them to trust you. Get experience in knowing what to look for and recognizing crimes in progress that civilians are actually walking by unaware. All law enforcement depends on knowing where crimes start. Dont be in a rush. Learn everything you can as you go.

Answer 5

Honesty and good performance are the only ways to be promoted to a higher rank in law enforcement.

Answer 6

One step at a time. Become a police officer first and everything else will follow.

Answer 7

By listening to and observing more experienced officers, and learning as much as you can to become as competent as you possibly can, and have good work ethics. It is the same for all occupations, if you want to advance.

Answer 8

most cops think intimidation and harassment are the ways to the top.