S.O. Explorer needs advice please**(thanks so much for the help)**

[Mortal_ghost]

I figured that LEOs could help me out since they are where I want to be. I am going to attend CSU Sacramento and hope to be a cop some day soon after I graduate college. So I was looking for a little advice. I have been wondering are there any jobs that will help me have a one up on alot of other people wanting to get into the career and will keep me close to the LE atmosphere. I'm not really sure what there is job wise so I want to hear everyones thoughts. I do love ridealongs a ton by the way.

One more thing I'm am so excited to say that I recieved my first handgun...a Glock 22....I still haven't got to shoot it yet but have only had it for a week. I'm so egar to practice but don't have all the fix'ns soooo I was wondering what kind of accessories I should get (what kind of holster,pelican case?,a good gun cleaning kit, anything) because I have about $400 saved up. I was eventually going to have my parrents buy the gun with my money but recieved it as a high school graduation gift. I would also like to hear everyones thoughts about this too. Thanks much.

[ckim34]

CSO would be a good place to start. Well I assume you werent going to buy a pistol if just graduated high school right?

[retired]

Community Service Officer (CSO) as was suggested above is a good start. My former dept. has basically the position, but calls it (unless they have changed since I retired) an intern. It is a paid position and you write parking tickets, write non workable (no suspect info) reports and tow cars among other things.

You are not sworn, so you won't be carrying a gun or cuffs. Ours was for 18-24yr. olds. A lot of the guys/ladies went on to become deputies and since they have to go thru a backround and similar testing as does the deputy applicants, they are a known commodity to the dept. So, yes, they do have a foot in the door so to speak.

Good luck.

[BigDogatPlay]

C.S.O. is, as noted, always a good place to start. It really help hone writing skills as the job is predominately writing paper that agencies don't want LEO resources spending time on.

Dispatching is also not necessarily a bad way to go and you will learn far more about how the back office works and what it's capabilities are than you would ever learn by solely working in the street.

FWIW... I toiled as a cadet / clerk, dispatcher and as a crime prevention "police service aide" in the 70's long before I ever got out on the street in the early 80's.

[Mortal_ghost]

Is the CSO program in the more larger departments or does it vary because where I live we only have a sheriffs office which is small, but the county next door has an SO and a PD. I'll have to look into that though. Thanks.

[Ron-Solo]

During this time period between high school and college is a critical time for you when making life decisions. Choose your friends wisely, you will be judged by who you associate with during this time period. Be careful what type of parties you go to, and avoid ALL illegal drugs, including marijuana. Be very careful with alcohol consumption too. A DUI will disqualify you from many departments for at least 10 years, some forever. Getting cited for underage possession or consumption will show a 'lack of judgement' and can easily DQ you.

Never get/possess/use a false ID for anything. With our department (LASD) it is a permanent disqualifier. I had to terminate a 20 year old Security Assistant because he was caught with a false ID at a club. It wasn't pleasant. Using a false ID can negate any testimony you give and the defense will use it to attck your credibility in court, making you ineffective as a police officer. It is something the department must disclose to the defense during certain discovery procedures.

Make every decision with this in mind, "What would my background investigator think about this?"

Since you now own a firearm (great gift by the way) you need to make sure you comply with all the confusing laws concerning guns. Although legal, DO NOT get involved in any "Open Carry" activities. Some people and departments might get the impression that you are a "wanna be" of some sort and disqualify you on judgement issues.

(This is not an anti-OC statement, just trying to guide a young prospect thru the rapids that could get him DQ'd)

Study hard and keep your grades respectable. The degree will help you advance in the profession. Some departments require a degree for promotions and a few require it to get hired. It will also help you get your intermediate and advance POST certificates quicker.

A CSO position will also give you some experience, but they are usually a full time position. A degree is a better option in the long term. (Retired: The changed the title a few years back from 'Intern' to CSO when they dropped the age ceiling and we now have a lot of older CSO's who are making it a career.

Best of luck to you, it is a rewarding career.

[Mortal_ghost]

Thanks much Ron-solo, I don't drink or anything else like that so Ill be good there. You mentioned the law about owning a gun and that's another thing I was wondering is how is the best way to learn all those laws? Should I take some type of handgun training course or should I just save money and hook up with one of the deputies who could teach me? I gained some experience shooting guns in a police science class I took this year and last year but don't feel comfortable just going to a public range yet. This is also why I've been positing here because I'm trying to figure out the best way to learn more so I can become more comfortable with shooting.

[socalsheepdog]

During this time period between high school and college is a critical time for you when making life decisions. Choose your friends wisely, you will be judged by who you associate with during this time period.

Good advise.

You should delete any Facebook or Myspace account you might have. Don't post anything on the internet that might put you in a questionable light as far as character is concerned.

Since you can not control what others post about you or control images posted of you, make sure you are not photographed with "RED" cups in you hand. Be aware, make good choices and take pride in them. If your friends think your a chump for not going along with a stupid idea, take pride in the fact that you made the right decision to not partake in said idea.

Your online image should be squeaky clean. If it's not, fix it.

[Mortal_ghost]

Any other advice for jobs close to LE?

Now I need suggestions on good holster and other accessories.

[ckim34]

Any other advice for jobs close to LE?

Now I need suggestions on good holster and other accessories.

I wouldnt worry too much about the holster and accessories part. You will be issued those things when you get hired.

Just focus on school and heed the warning about the company you keep now and the choices you make. I was hired at 22, the people I hung out with in high school and things I did/nt do played a huge role in me getting hired at a relatively young age.

[retired]

Ron gave you some excellent advice and I would recommend you follow it and the advice from others.

Thanks for info Ron about the CSO/Intern name change.

[Ron-Solo]

Thanks much Ron-solo, I don't drink or anything else like that so Ill be good there. You mentioned the law about owning a gun and that's another thing I was wondering is how is the best way to learn all those laws? Should I take some type of handgun training course or should I just save money and hook up with one of the deputies who could teach me? I gained some experience shooting guns in a police science class I took this year and last year but don't feel comfortable just going to a public range yet. This is also why I've been positing here because I'm trying to figure out the best way to learn more so I can become more comfortable with shooting.

There are several books covering gun laws that are helpful. When I renewed my California Rifle & Pistol Association they sent a good booklet on gun laws that I used to educate my sons. A quality training course that focuses on safety rather than "tacticool" would be a good idea. A good holster for your Glock would be a Blackhawk Serpa or a Fobus. I prefer the Blackhawk for retention purposes and I just like the way it rides. My son prefers his Fobus. They are both reasonably priced and are good quality.

Best of luck to you. We need quality people. I'm retiring next year and am ready to pass the torch.

[Mortal_ghost]

What do you guys think about the bianchi carryLok holster compared to the blackhawk serpa holster?

Oh I also figured I could get a quick response from here: what is the difference in the levels of holsters-Level I,II,and III?

[Doheny]

/\/\ My wife used a CarryLok when she was doing her stint as a detective. It rides higher and has a cant, which helps keep it more concealed.

[7222 Hawker]

I figured that LEOs could help me out since they are where I want to be. I am going to attend CSU Sacramento and hope to be a cop some day soon after I graduate college. So I was looking for a little advice. I have been wondering are there any jobs that will help me have a one up on alot of other people wanting to get into the career and will keep me close to the LE atmosphere. I'm not really sure what there is job wise so I want to hear everyones thoughts. I do love ridealongs a ton by the way.

One more thing I'm am so excited to say that I recieved my first handgun...a Glock 22....I still haven't got to shoot it yet but have only had it for a week. I'm so egar to practice but don't have all the fix'ns soooo I was wondering what kind of accessories I should get (what kind of holster,pelican case?,a good gun cleaning kit, anything) because I have about $400 saved up. I was eventually going to have my parrents buy the gun with my money but recieved it as a high school graduation gift. I would also like to hear everyones thoughts about this too. Thanks much.

United States Marine Corps