Looking to start a career as a LEO

[brossiah]

Hello. Quick little history about me....

I spent my past 4 years in Active Duty in the Army as an infantryman.. I am currently in the Army Reserves (1 weekend a month, 2 weeks in the summer) and I would like to start training for the academy.

Currently I am going to school to get 40 credit hours so that once I graduate the academy, I will get the 20 hours and hit the 60 credits needed.

I've done some research and spoke to a handful of LEOs, but nothing really in-depth regarding the hiring process, what I should expect, etc.

I understand the academy can be between 6 - 10 months, and that the hiring process may take up to, if not longer, than 1 year.

Other than that, what else can I expect? What should I look into doing to better myself to becoming more sellable to the job?

Thanks!

[mixicus]

Check out the stickies/FAQ's at the top of this board. They will address many of your questions.

As for your school, it will be a bit easier to hook up with a community college that is associated with an academy if you can. They will be well versed in guiding you towards the right classes that would fit with your academy units so you can quickly get an AA degree. Otherwise make sure you are talking with "academic advisement" at your college.

The basic components of the hiring process is the same across agencies. Application, written, PT, oral board, background, medical, psych and Chief's interview.

The academy is 18-26 weeks for a full time format academy (M-F 0800-1700). An extended format academy is approximately 10 month (meet a few evenings each week and weekends).

Hiring process depends on the department but figure 6-12 months before you get an academy date.

Keep up on your PT. It's just one less thing to worry about as you look towards the academy.

To become more "sellable"...depends on where you sit now and what are any deficiencies. Any thing you can do to set yourself apart is beneficial: college degree, language skills, volunteer in the community and be a volunteer or non-sworn employee of a department. I'd suggest looking into a prep/orientation class offered by a community college associated with an academy. It will give you some insight and likely help organizing your thoughts for an interview.

[BigStiCK]

CHP is hiring. Google CHP Careers, lots good info on the site. Contact the recruiter in your area for more in-depth info. Feel free to PM me as well.

Good Luck!

[brossiah]

As for your school, it will be a bit easier to hook up with a community college that is associated with an academy if you can. They will be well versed in guiding you towards the right classes that would fit with your academy units so you can quickly get an AA degree. Otherwise make sure you are talking with "academic advisement" at your college.

The academy is 18-26 weeks for a full time format academy (M-F 0800-1700). An extended format academy is approximately 10 month (meet a few evenings each week and weekends).

Hiring process depends on the department but figure 6-12 months before you get an academy date.

To become more "sellable"...depends on where you sit now and what are any deficiencies. Any thing you can do to set yourself apart is beneficial: college degree, language skills, volunteer in the community and be a volunteer or non-sworn employee of a department. I'd suggest looking into a prep/orientation class offered by a community college associated with an academy. It will give you some insight and likely help organizing your thoughts for an interview.

Thank you. I didn't think about the community college linking aspect. I think that will be something I look into next.
San Jose VOLT program was something I was looking into, so hopefully that will put me ahead once I begin the path to becoming a LEO.

CHP is hiring. Google CHP Careers, lots good info on the site. Contact the recruiter in your area for more in-depth info. Feel free to PM me as well.

Good Luck!

Thank you! I will look into it!!

[Thesource161]

Apply apply apply. Apply for everything and everywhere. I always hear people saying they want to work for a specific agency and that is fine, but if you limit yourself to only a few agencies it may extend your start to finish application time. You can do your initial academy anywhere and work for a while and always lateral when your ready, that was how I looked at it.

[micro911]

When you apply, make a complete copy of your application. I did just in case, so if I had to apply to another agency, I can have the same info.

I never really needed it, since I got hired by the first agency I applied.

[Ralston]

Good luck. It sounds like you're a pretty well rounded individual, with a good head on your shoulders that has some decent life experience and some training. It's all beneficial. Keep at it. There's a lot of hiring going on with SFPD according to an officer I ran into on a call the other night. Seems like a fun place to work.

[1CavScout]

When you apply, make a complete copy of your application. I did just in case, so if I had to apply to another agency, I can have the same info.

I never really needed it, since I got hired by the first agency I applied.

This is good advice. Sometimes you have to estimate dates, and it's better if all your packets match.

Staying in shape, like was mentioned above, it also good advice. I was in my academy 6 months after getting out of AD Army. I was ahead of the game when it came to physical fitness, and it made the academy that much easier.

I also submitted personal Military awards along with my packets.

Good luck...

[brossiah]

Apply apply apply. Apply for everything and everywhere. I always hear people saying they want to work for a specific agency and that is fine, but if you limit yourself to only a few agencies it may extend your start to finish application time. You can do your initial academy anywhere and work for a while and always lateral when your ready, that was how I looked at it.

That's a very good point. I've never thought of it like that. Thanks!

When you apply, make a complete copy of your application. I did just in case, so if I had to apply to another agency, I can have the same info.

I never really needed it, since I got hired by the first agency I applied.

Wow congrats! What was the turnaround time from start of the application to hiring?

Good luck. It sounds like you're a pretty well rounded individual, with a good head on your shoulders that has some decent life experience and some training. It's all beneficial. Keep at it. There's a lot of hiring going on with SFPD according to an officer I ran into on a call the other night. Seems like a fun place to work.

Thank you! I was trying to do meet with SFPD so I could talk to them about things I could do or possible internships, but things fell apart and I was not able to meet them at the time. I'm settled in California now so it'll be a little easier to meet.

This is good advice. Sometimes you have to estimate dates, and it's better if all your packets match.

Staying in shape, like was mentioned above, it also good advice. I was in my academy 6 months after getting out of AD Army. I was ahead of the game when it came to physical fitness, and it made the academy that much easier.

I also submitted personal Military awards along with my packets.

Good luck...

What do you mean if your packets match?

I just got out of AD in December, but the problem is I stopped running and started lifting super heavy. Running has always been a little harder for me (1450 2 mile in July) so after I got out of AD, I decided to lift weights and just get huge lol. I kind of regret that because running is a big aspect in an active work environment, so I have to drop lifting heavy and focus a little more on running.

Also, aren't you supposed to submit your DD214, which contain the military awards?

[1CavScout]

^^^ If you fill out packets for multiple agencies you want them all to match. The agency I was hired by pulled my packet from another agency I had also applied for. If everything matches it will look better.

Yes you will give them a copy of your DD-214. Mine was actually missing some stuff ( I need to get a DD-215 with the corrections). I gave them a copy of my Air Medal award because it explains why it was awarded. If you have personal awards I think the certificate explaining why it was awarded is better than just the award listed on your DD-214.

I was also lifting a lot when I was AD and after I got out. Lifting is not going to hurt you, but you need to concentrate an running as well IMO. We ran a lot in my academy.

[Che762x39]

Hello. Quick little history about me....

I spent my past 4 years in Active Duty in the Army as an infantryman.. I am currently in the Army Reserves (1 weekend a month, 2 weeks in the summer) ...

Stay in the Reserves. You will want that extra retirement in the future.

You should take an aptitude test and see if LE is the career. It is different from the military. I was a FTO for 7 years and one thing is doing well in the academy, with 30 pullups and a 9:00 1 1/2 mile and it is another thing actually dealing with the public. I had a trainee who was a Combat Vet and we was a really awesome fireman. Lets not talk about his short police career.

Nothing wrong with working at the Post Office either. Good luck

[Thesource161]

When you apply, make a complete copy of your application. I did just in case, so if I had to apply to another agency, I can have the same info.

I never really needed it, since I got hired by the first agency I applied.

Very good advice. They will check your other apps like mentioned to see if it all matches. They will also ask you the same questions usually three to four times during your process and compare your answers. I always kept important dates written down and in my wallet when I had to go in to fill out more paperwork.

[Zenith]

Apply apply apply. Apply for everything and everywhere. I always hear people saying they want to work for a specific agency and that is fine, but if you limit yourself to only a few agencies it may extend your start to finish application time. You can do your initial academy anywhere and work for a while and always lateral when your ready, that was how I looked at it.

Yes definitely, a CD I know had once said.. "shotgun the crap out of everything"
brossiah, I don't know what area you are currently reside but the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is actively looking to recruit for a variety of positions. I'd hop on that ASAP