LEO Career Advice Wanted.

[762.DEFENSE]

Okay for starters, I'm 24 6'2" 235lbs at the moment (avid gym enthusiast and in very good shape- I lift 5 days a week, and do cardio 4 days a week). I was going to California State University of Fullerton to pursue a degree in Business Admin, but recently decided it isnt' for me and Criminal Justice has always been where I want to be, so I'll be going to California State University Dominguez Hills come this Spring. For my work history: I've worked private security (armed/unarmed), executive protection (my current line of work),and for 2 different Armored Truck companies for over a year for each. I have a clean DMV, no mis/felonies, or moving violations (only 1 street sweeping ticket, and an expired meter ticket).

I recently applied to work for an OC Agency as a Jailer but was turned down as "not being qualified for the position." So my question is, what can I do to become more qualified for such positions in the future?


P.S. I was looking in as a jailer so that way I could get to know the department from the ground up, learn penal codes, officer procedures and proticol prior to serving. I wanted to get my foot in the door, finish up my degree then be a full-time LEO by age 27.

Thank you in advance!

[retired]

First, forget the CJ degree. If for some reason you never were hired or decided after being hired it wasn't for you, you are stuck with a degree that won't help you. You will learn what you need in CJ in the academy.

Pursue a degree in English, Public Administration, Psychology, etc. These degrees not only will help you advance within a dept., they are something you can fall back on if you decide not to be a leo. Plus, a lot of depts. start you off at a higher pay step if you have a 4yr. degree; my former dept. (LASD) does. You will also obtain your POST certificates faster also, which again, pays you more.

To get your "foot in the door," you might try becoming a reserve or volunteer in another capacity at a dept.

[shtr45acp]

Think about Oakland Police Academy too....last I heard, it's the number 2 Academy in the country. Degrees help tremendously, as the gent above describes. Consider avoiding "Corrections" unless you have a Doctorate degree in penology. CHP has great schooling also, and CalPers(?).....(hint). Fluency in another language is a plus also. Good luck.

[762.DEFENSE]

Thank you very much, I like the degree advice in public administration. I will definitely look more into this!

[retired]

Think about Oakland Police Academy too....last I heard, it's the number 2 Academy in the country. Degrees help tremendously, as the gent above describes. Consider avoiding "Corrections" unless you have a Doctorate degree in penology. CHP has great schooling also, and CalPers(?).....(hint). Fluency in another language is a plus also. Good luck.

As to the first bolded: That would be incorrect. I would say LAPD is the #2 Academy. LASD is of course the #1 Academy as everyone knows.

As to the second bolded: Please do not refer to me as a "gent," as in gentleman; I am retired.

[762.DEFENSE]

I thought OCSD was one of the best? Especially since its one of the last high stress academies left. :-P

[Jonathan Doe]

If I get to do it again, I will be a fireman. they are loved by public as heroes.

[bobfried]

Firemen makes as much.

Work 2/24 in some dept where they get to sleep, eat and work out during those 48 hours.

And than take their 5 days weekend. Or 4 if you want to work an extra 24 and make a smack load of money.

And second on the CJ degree, it won't get you anything in the hiring process and is essentially useless for anything else. And by logical deduction, if you can't use it to get your foot in and you can't use it for outside LE than it is not exactly a useful degree to get.

[verapakill]

I thought OCSD was one of the best? Especially since its one of the last high stress academies left. :-P

That is absolutely not true SBSD is very high stress trust me on that.

[Ford8N]

That is absolutely not true SBSD is very high stress trust me on that.

What is "high stress" and why is SBSD so stressful? What do they do?

[mixicus]

I recently applied to work for an OC Agency as a Jailer but was turned down as "not being qualified for the position." So my question is, what can I do to become more qualified for such positions in the future?

Can't really say without knowing why the department thought this. Give the Personnel office a call and ask. They may not be able to tell you exactly what they thought your short falls were but may give you some 'hints' to improve your resume. That will direct you path of improvement. Also just because, you didn't fit X department's image doesn't mean Y department won't think you're qualified. The job market is tight right now and depts can be picky with qualifications.


P.S. I was looking in as a jailer so that way I could get to know the department from the ground up, learn penal codes, officer procedures and proticol prior to serving. I wanted to get my foot in the door, finish up my degree then be a full-time LEO by age 27.

A jailer/PSO is a good way to get to know a dept and they can get to know you. However, as a jailer you will be working custody. Your exposure to patrol protocol and procedures will be very limited. You will get valuable experience in handle prisoners and getting to talk to bad guys but that is a small set of patrol skills. Depending on the agency (APD, SAPD, HBPD,...) the only time you are out of the house is for transport to County or another facility. You can study penal codes on your own by picking up the Qwik-Code for PC. For radio codes, get a study guide from an academy/recruit in the county you're interested in.

As for your degree, study a subject that you are interested in and can make a non-LE career out of. You may get into LE and not like it or it may not like you. Better have a plan B. An academy like OCSD with all sponsored (hired by a dept) recruits, about 40% will not graduate due to injuries, DOR, and academics. Then you have to pass FTO and probation at your dept. The last group that went to FTO at one OC PD lost 80% for various reasons! Not saying, you're going to one of them but those are the numbers.

[2patchHero]

If I get to do it again, I will be a fireman. they are loved by public as heroes.

If you want the public to waive at you with all their fingers... Be a fireman.

[alfalfa]

I would agree with most of the other posters here and recommend that you do not pursue a degree in CJ for the reasons already stated.

Also, I suspect that you being found not qualified for the jailer position had something to do with your recent change in educational goals and possibly your work history. Departments want to hire stable candidates who have proven that they can set goals and achieve them. And while changing majors isn't a big deal, the department may have thought you dropping out of school was.

You also mention having held at least four different jobs recently. If not explained properly, the hiring board may have also felt this showed you lacked stability and commitment.

I'm not trying to be down on you, but rather am trying to give you a realistic picture of the current job market for LEOs. For most LEO jobs in this market, you will be competing with hundreds of other candidates...many of whom have prior military service, advanced college degrees, and/or prior experience as peace officers. I know of at least one LEO locally who took a job as a jailer after being layed off as a deputy sheriff, and I suspect there are many others.

Good luck in your job hunt.