To old to start a career in law enforcement.?

Question

I am currently 35 years old and I am going to school for criminal justice. I am Very interested in persuing a carrer in law enforcement. I was wondering if 35 is a little old to be thinking about this or if there is another arena in the justice sysyem that might be more suitabe. Does anyone have any good info regarding this issue.

Answer 1

Federal positions such as FBI, DEA, ATF, FBI, etc., have an age cutoff.

State and local jurisdictions normally do not. After spending 20 years in military law enforcement, I retired and was employed at 38 by a county jurisdiction.

I have seen officers ten years my senior employed because of the educational background or experience!

Best wishes.

Answer 2

I went to the law enforcement academy three years ago at age 29. I had a classmate who was 45 years old, and just finished a 20 year career in the Army. He graduated, but the running nearly killed him. Make sure you are physically fit, can run solidly, and you should be fine.

As some side advice, don't worry about the Criminal Justice degree. Consider majoring in something more useful, such as Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, Computers, etc. The academy, post academy and Field Training will teach you all you need to know about CJ. We need cops who understand computers, bookkeeping, other stuff. Every CJ major we had in the academy was on the same level as those of us who did not have degrees. It really doesn't help that much. (Another option, if you are considering eventually working into Command Staff is to work towards a management or leadership degree.)

Good luck.

Answer 3

35 is not that old at all. I was reading an article a while back about a guy who was 48 (I think in AZ) and he was going through the academy. I believe all cops should be at least 25 before they can go to the academy but that is just me. I think at 35 you would be a better candidate as long as you havent spent the last 17 years in a dead end job or flipping burgers your extra experience should make you a much better candidate. Plus at 35 your physical abilities should not have diminished to the point you cannot hang with the 20 somethings.

As for where you can get a job, each department is different. Many major cities and smaller cities have no upper age limit and welcome older applicants.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Do you mean too old for police academy training to be an officer? If so, you may be getting close to the cut off age in most communities. (Willing to relocate?) But the good news is that there are many "civilian" jobs available in law enforcement. Talk to your school about job referrals. See if your local police department has a citizens police academy. Most are offered for free. It gives you a chance to learn about the structure of all departments and job/volunteer opportunities. Depending on your involvement and interests, you may even be approached for employment. And if not,within the department itself, the officers and staff are a great network source for referrals. --- Example: I'm an old woman with a high school diploma. I took academy classes just to force myself to leave my home once a week. During that time I was offered employment at 2 attorney's offices for my research skills; became deputized by the state (for handicap parking enforcement), and became an on-call employee to rescue victims of abuse. All that for someone not looking for a job and not trained in the field. Think of how much more value you bring to the table!

Answer 5

The maximum age to enter law enforcement careers in the federal government is 37. This is to allow for 20 years of service prior to a mandatory retirement age of 57 due to the nature of the work. Depending on how long your schooling will take, looks like you still have a little time.

Answer 6

It depends on your State's Laws. In NJ, 35 yrs old is the cut off date for Municipal Police officer but the County level does not have a cutoff age. Check with your home state requirements.

Answer 7

Too old for Federal LE, but not state certified policing. My dept is actually hiring alot of older guys. I went through at 32 and there were two guys in their 40s. The classes after me have had alot more older guys.

Do it if it what you want. The PDs like the older guys as they bring maturity to the dept.

Answer 8

I got into it at 42. If you are working now while in school, why not join the PD now and finish up school as a cop? Many rural Police Departments and Sheriff's Departments do not require a degree.

Answer 9

You are still eligible, but most people begin in their twenties.

Answer 10

you are still young. go forit and good luck