28 y/o - Too late to start??

[Touchdown456]

Hello all -

I'm 28 and working in the Television industry. I'm pretty much at the end of my rope with this business. 12+ hour days everyday, weekends, selfishness, superficiality...etc. I've always wanted to become a LEO (even back when I was picking colleges I was thinking about a criminal justice degree. Don't ask why I didn't stick with it, I just had two passions back then and TV won).

Now cut to many years later and not a day goes by where I don't look at a squad car and wish I was doing that. Problem is I'm not sure about my skill set having worked in career so far from LE. Would I even be looked at as a potential asset to a dept?

1. I have a Bachelors Degree in Television/Video Production
2. Been working steadily in this business for the past 7 years now.
3. I've held a supervisor position for the past 2 years.
4. I'm a licensed pilot and amateur radio operator, so I'm very comfortable with rules, regulations (FAA is one tough administration), doing things by the books, radio communication, stressful situations, quick thinking...etc.
5. I'm proficient with firearms (been shooting since I was a kid)

I also am not 100% sure I'm ready for an entire life change, so I was also considering Reserves as an option.

If I made the switch, my perfect position would be in the aviation unit of a dept. However, I've heard that it can take years and years to get accepted into an air unit, so not sure if I should even make that a goal.

To wrap it up - should I risk my career to chase my dream at my age and with my skill set? Also, what are people's thoughts on becoming a Reserve? Is that a viable option to someone who has a desire to be a LEO, but not necessarily ready to make a huge career change?

Thanks

[Unit74]

Tough time to start looking.... Many depts. are laying off or not back filling retirements.

Your not to old at all. I went to the academy when I was 32. Do what you know is right for you.

[Fire in the Hole]

Hello all -

I'm 28 and working in the Television industry. I'm pretty much at the end of my rope with this business. 12+ hour days everyday, weekends, selfishness, superficiality...etc. I've always wanted to become a LEO (even back when I was picking colleges I was thinking about a criminal justice degree. Don't ask why I didn't stick with it, I just had two passions back then and TV won).

Now cut to many years later and not a day goes by where I don't look at a squad car and wish I was doing that. Problem is I'm not sure about my skill set having worked in career so far from LE. Would I even be looked at as a potential asset to a dept?

1. I have a Bachelors Degree in Television/Video Production
2. Been working steadily in this business for the past 7 years now.
3. I've held a supervisor position for the past 2 years.
4. I'm a licensed pilot and amateur radio operator, so I'm very comfortable with rules, regulations (FAA is one tough administration), doing things by the books, radio communication, stressful situations, quick thinking...etc.
5. I'm proficient with firearms (been shooting since I was a kid)

I also am not 100% sure I'm ready for an entire life change, so I was also considering Reserves as an option.

If I made the switch, my perfect position would be in the aviation unit of a dept. However, I've heard that it can take years and years to get accepted into an air unit, so not sure if I should even make that a goal.

To wrap it up - should I risk my career to chase my dream at my age and with my skill set? Also, what are people's thoughts on becoming a Reserve? Is that a viable option to someone who has a desire to be a LEO, but not necessarily ready to make a huge career change?

Thanks

Yes, yes, a good start I recommend it, yes.

[jamesob]

i was 32 when i became a police officer. i do believe your at the cuttoff for the chp.

[Jonathan Doe]

It is never too late if you are determined. I turned 27 in the academy. There is a 48 year old guy who is going through the process now. He is a tough man. I have no doubt him making through the academy.

[tyrist]

You have plenty of time your not even old.

[plm61]

A good friend of mine was 40 when he started the sheriff's academy. He's now a deputy and loves it. You're never too old to follow your dream. If this is what you want, go for it!

[5968]

Hello all -

I'm 28 and working in the Television industry. I'm pretty much at the end of my rope with this business. 12+ hour days everyday, weekends, selfishness, superficiality...etc. I've always wanted to become a LEO (even back when I was picking colleges I was thinking about a criminal justice degree. Don't ask why I didn't stick with it, I just had two passions back then and TV won).

Now cut to many years later and not a day goes by where I don't look at a squad car and wish I was doing that. Problem is I'm not sure about my skill set having worked in career so far from LE. Would I even be looked at as a potential asset to a dept?

1. I have a Bachelors Degree in Television/Video Production
2. Been working steadily in this business for the past 7 years now.
3. I've held a supervisor position for the past 2 years.
4. I'm a licensed pilot and amateur radio operator, so I'm very comfortable with rules, regulations (FAA is one tough administration), doing things by the books, radio communication, stressful situations, quick thinking...etc.
5. I'm proficient with firearms (been shooting since I was a kid)

I also am not 100% sure I'm ready for an entire life change, so I was also considering Reserves as an option.

If I made the switch, my perfect position would be in the aviation unit of a dept. However, I've heard that it can take years and years to get accepted into an air unit, so not sure if I should even make that a goal.

To wrap it up - should I risk my career to chase my dream at my age and with my skill set? Also, what are people's thoughts on becoming a Reserve? Is that a viable option to someone who has a desire to be a LEO, but not necessarily ready to make a huge career change?

Thanks

If you are leaving because of what is red, I don't think you will like being a LEO any better.
I think your age is a good age to start. You are still young, but have some life experience too.
Aviation is usually one of the more difficult positions to get, but I would imagine being a licensed pilot would help.

[Ron-Solo]

My son-in-law started at 32. I was 22 when I started 31 years ago.

Go for it

[bubbagump]

Dew Eeet!

There are guys who have gone through academy who are way older than you.

[Touchdown456]

If you are leaving because of what is red, I don't think you will like being a LEO any better.

Well what I wrote was just a broad summary of the aspects of the entertainment industry that I dislike. I think I would welcome the daily variety of encounters that a LEO faces. Plus, like I said, I really would love to work at joining an Aviation unit, as flying is also a huge passion of mine.

Another question - after perusing the LAPD website, I noticed that officers have the option of working a normal 5 day week, a 4 day 10hr/per day week, or a 3 day 12hr/per day week. How true is that? How easy is it to actually be scheduled to do? Do officers work 3 day weeks and maybe have a side job on the 4 days off?

Also, if I went the Reserve route, how are reservists looked upon by the rest of the dept.? Are they respected by the full timers?

Thanks for all of the replies and support so far!

[retired]

I started when I was 26 and did it for 27yrs. until forced out medically; otherwise I would have gone 32.

If you really aren't sure you want to make this life change, you might consider the reserves. Realize tho, if you do and then later decide you want to do it full time, you will have to thru the "regular" academy even tho you have gone thru the reserve one.

[scarry scarney]

Not too old

I graduated the Academy at 52! (full academy, not a reserve academy.) Granted, I am doing the Reserve route, most of the full timers that I ride with, keep asking when I am going to go full time.

One advantage of age, the public sees you as an "old timer" right off the bat. Just don't do something stupid or "rookie."

[bombadillo]

i was 32 when i became a police officer. i do believe your at the cuttoff for the chp.

Really??? I thought cutoff was in the 30's for CHP.

[5968]

I can't you help you with how LAPD does their scheduling.

Some reserve officers are a huge assets to a department while others aren't worth a $h!t, which is also true with full time officers. Bottom line is if you know your stuff and prove (Yes, I said prove) that you can be dependable, that is how other officers will view you. Just remember there is a flip side to that coin too.