Thinking of pursuing a career

[74elko]

I am 19 years old and I have been wanting a career in law enforcement, so excuse me if I have a lot of questions. My questions are for you LEOs or others knowledgeable on the subject. Well I have tried to look up what is required, but its all kind of vague. Which college classes should I take if I want to become a sheriff or city cop? I would take these at my local J.C. (contra costa). How many credits would I need? And finally if I did everything correctly without failing any classes how long should it take to complete the necessary credits?

[Blue]

Go to school and bulk up on credits until you're 21.

[OIF_VET]

Finish school dude. This job isn't going anywhere. You can major in just about anything but learn to write. Putting facts on paper is what puts people behind bars.

[Bizcuits]

Work on a degree, it doesn't have to be criminal justice.

Get a job and keep it, don't job hop around. If you have one ****ty job for a few years rather then multiple jobs.

Keep your record clean and traffic / vehicle citations to a minimum.

Don't get tattoo's that are racist or offensive in anyway. Also don't have tattoo's that are visible.

Have good credit when you apply.

Getting a PC-832 and firearm cert wouldn't hurt either.

Many police departments also have CADET programs. Check with your local PD and SO to see if they will let you be a CADET while your in school. Basically you'll get paid 10-12 dollars an hour to do basic stuff around the station like get coffee, help file paperwork, clean cars etc.

If you have the cash you can also pay your way through an academy without actually being hired by a department. Once you graduate with full post, a lot of smaller departments will hire you, because they don't have to sponsor you through the academy.

[eta34]

I would strongly recommend a degree in anything other than Criminal Justice. It is a worthless and meaningless degree in the LEO field. Business, English, anything involving writing is much better.

[Jonathan Doe]

Just finish up the school in any major. You DON'T have to study criminal justice or any related subject. English major or literature type may help, because you can write good reports and write good search warrants. Stay clean and exercise and run a lot.

[kermit315]

Bachelors required, or will an Associates do. I have one class, one lab and my Associates in Electronics is done.

Might be forced to make a career change soon, this is first on the list of new employers.

[fullrearview]

one of my RTO's went through when he was 18 and was hired as a reserve..... worked the jail, got a degree, and is where he is now...why not make good money while you are going through school??? plus some departments even pay tuition. I say go now... I wish I would have!

[Bizcuits]

Bachelors required, or will an Associates do. I have one class, one lab and my Associates in Electronics is done.

Might be forced to make a career change soon, this is first on the list of new employers.

Associates is fine for local, but not really good enough for federal. LE isn't a soon career choice though, backyard investigations take months and months. If you applied today, you'd have an academy date in about a year.

[BigDogatPlay]

If you are in school, stay with it until you have at least an Associate's. Then start taking some upper division units at a CSU, or go full time if you can afford it, to show that you understand that education is important and that you are pursuing it.

While an Administration of Justice degree isn't worthless, it isn't necessarily the best choice. My Associates was in AJ back when it meant more (as in lots of guys were only high school grads), the business degree came later. I know cops that have Bachelors in history, lit, economics, you name it. Generally speaking a degree in Business Administration or Public Administration will take you farther, especially if you never land the dream and have to go out and actually work for a living.

Keep your record clean... a ticket or two isn't a big thing. Having been named on a protective order will be a big thing. Credit rating is, actually, very important and not just in law enforcement. I'm a hiring manager at the company I work for now and I've had to pass on a lot of otherwise qualified candidates that the background check has shown financial issues. Having financial issues and / or crummy credit shows irresponsibility and no one wants to give a firearm and the authority to use it to someone who looks irresponsible.

[kermit315]

soon is about two years out. I always try to have at least a couple of contingency plans.

ETA: I have a security clearance... bad credit will get it pulled, so I am probably fine on that too.

Thanks for all the information guys.

[red2sniper]

some other things to consider, dont illegally download music or movies, if underage, dont drink alcoholic beverages until you are of age, dont drink n drive ever, stay away from all drugs including marijuana. Stay away from any law breaking and/or associating with those that do. if you have stolen things, make restitution to those that you took from, be up front in any interviews, dress for the interviews in a suit and tie, be clean shaven, make eye contact, speak clearly, and try to do something with the agency you want to get employed at (cadet if you are under 21, volunteer if you are of age) make positive contacts, they will go a great distance at getting your foot in the door.

[1911su16b870]

Keep going to school to work for some sort of degree, AA, BA etc. That shows maturity and commitment on your part which is a good thing in all life's endeavors.

I also recommend doing a few ride alongs with your local PDs/agencies. That experience will definitely give you the answer if a career in LE is your thing!

[Steyrlp10]

I agree with everyone about staying in school. No matter how physically fit you are, the written exams will do you in if you haven't gotten a grasp of the English language.

Public speaking practice wouldn't hurt either when it comes to the oral interviews either.

Best of luck to you!

[xrMike]

stay away from all drugs including marijuana.

Pay attention to this! It's what got me booted from the eval process for San Jose PD, even though it'd been 15 years since I'd touched anything stronger than alcohol.