Computer Science grad considering law enforcement

[syn-ack-bang]

Hi everyone,

I graduated with a Bachelors in Computer Science, and along with my various applications to software engineering positions, I'm potentially considering becoming a sworn law enforcement officer. I don't know much about the details and specifics, and I had a few questions. I live in the South Bay/Torrance area.

1. Are there any sworn positions that would be a fit for my background in CS, or is there pretty much one career path if you're a sworn officer?

2. What should I consider when deciding what agency to apply to? I don't know the practical difference between the Police and Sheriff office, for instance.

3. What sort of starting position can someone expect with a Bachelor's degree and internship experience that doesn't relate to law enforcement?

4. Does experience with computer security help in any way?

5. I recognize that I would make a lot more money as a software developer, but I don't actually know the extent of it. Does anyone have salary data points for whatever I would try to be at start, five and ten years?

6. Is this just a bad idea?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

[rcslotcar]

tag

[Spanky8601]

With your background in Computer Science and I would suggest that you explore Federal Law Enforcement Employment. There is a large demand for "experts" who can protect society from outside attacks.

[syn-ack-bang]

With your background in Computer Science and I would suggest that you explore Federal Law Enforcement Employment. There is a large demand for "experts" who can protect society from outside attacks.

I looked into becoming a Special Agent with the FBI, but they require three years of (any) work experience. Is this strict? Should I apply anyway?

If I want to apply in three years, would it be better to get a software dev job now or start as an officer and transition into federal law enforcement?

Edit: I suppose I could also apply to one of the FBI positions that accepts recent graduates (they have computer science positions) and try to transition to Special Agent once I'm in. Is this a good idea or might I get locked in to my position?

[TRICKSTER]

I looked into becoming a Special Agent with the FBI, but they require three years of (any) work experience. Is this strict? Should I apply anyway?

If I want to apply in three years, would it be better to get a software dev job now or start as an officer and transition into federal law enforcement?

Edit: I suppose I could also apply to one of the FBI positions that accepts recent graduates (they have computer science positions) and try to transition to Special Agent once I'm in. Is this a good idea or might I get locked in to my position?

It is always easier to promote from within an agency than come in from the outside.

[JohnnyMtn]

[The War Wagon]

3. What sort of starting position can someone expect with a Bachelor's degree and internship experience that doesn't relate to law enforcement?

My college wingman got a BS in Criminal Justice, and ended up going into IT work for an insurance company!


Dedication and a willingness to train & learn, will get you further than whatever your Bachelors degree might be. As a wise man recently noted on this board - "a bachelors degree is just a trained monkey degree, that gets your foot in the door for the interview." What YOU make of it, is everything that follows.

[tomrkba]

As a police volunteer, I found any IT experience is a help. I recommend becoming a sworn officer if you can stomach the current status of the profession (some states and locales are much better than others). It will not matter much for getting in but it will help on side projects. They definitely need help in security (both for the department and for cases) and in working with databases to gather information.

[CinnamonBear723]

Being a crime analyst is another possibility. They use all kinds of computer sciency stuff to compile data driven policing. Ours get paid pretty decent too.

Being a street cop nowadays is a rough gig. You can make the same money doing something else, making far better money, and you dont have anyone trying to kill you, or the public trying to hang you.

[micro911]

Local agencies should have a position that can utilize an officer with computer skills. Large agencies have units that deals with computer crime/cyber crime.

[diveRN]

https://www.cia.gov/careers/search-jobs/science-technology

[syn-ack-bang]

Being a crime analyst is another possibility. They use all kinds of computer sciency stuff to compile data driven policing. Ours get paid pretty decent too.

Being a street cop nowadays is a rough gig. You can make the same money doing something else, making far better money, and you dont have anyone trying to kill you, or the public trying to hang you.

Are crime analysts sworn?

[Creampuff]

Apologize for posting in LEO forum, but is it possible to become a reserve, while getting your experience in I.T.?

Nothing replaces real I.T. work in the I.T. field.

[syn-ack-bang]

Apologize for posting in LEO forum, but is it possible to become a reserve, while getting your experience in I.T.?

Nothing replaces real I.T. work in the I.T. field.

I'd like to respectfully make a distinction between IT and Software Engineering. I would be doing the latter.

And I looked into the LASD deputy reserve program, but it requires attending the police academy, and you have to pay for it out of pocket and go full time afaict, which presents the following dilemma:

Either I can afford to pay for my training (and rent, and electricity, and food) because I have a job, or I can spare the time to go because I don't have a job, but not both.

Does anyone know if there is a weekend only academy course or something similar?

[Den60]

With your background in Computer Science and I would suggest that you explore Federal Law Enforcement Employment. There is a large demand for "experts" who can protect society from outside attacks.

I second this ^^^. FBI, IRS, DEA all like computer geeks.