Should I be a federal or local police officer?

Question

I am a 25 year old male. I served 4 years in the Marine Corps as a martial arts instructor, I have an associate's in general studies, and I'm currently attending school for my bachelor's (not 100% certain what in yet). I'm looking for any first-hand advice or opinions on whether I should move back to California and join the LAPD or apply for the FBI and the pros/cons each way. Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

First.... the FBI requires a 4 year degree. Go hit their web site and all the requirements are posted.

http://www.fbijobs.gov/111.asp

Next, federal and local / state police jobs are nothing like what the Fed's do. If you get on LAPD you will be doing real police work. Responding to calls and investigating real crime on scene.

In the FBI, they spend most of their time analyzing data, in a cubical, behind a computer. That's why they want people with degrees in Accounting, Science, Computers and the likes.

Believe me... if you want action.. go big city local. If you want to be a pencil pusher and paper shuffler......... go FBI

Answer 2

I had two friends that were Police Officers then they went and got their degrees. Both were then hired by the Secret Service. Local first to gain experience then apply for Federal after you gain the experience

Answer 3

Both sounds good. but try being a federal agent you get paid ALOT! If you like helping people and don't care about the money then be a local cop.

Answer 4

i wager you could tell the firefighters of the united states wooded area service that they don't seem employed through the federal authorities. similar with the firefighters of the Bureau of Land administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Answer 5

Neither- don't be a part of the problem.

Answer 6

what ever choice you take Please dont harass poeple or judge them with out knowing them.