What do you think about my plan?

[PandaLuv]

I am applying for the American citizenship this May. After I am granted the citizenship, I will be applying to SF and Sac PDs. I wanna see where it takes me.

But I am a realist, with this economy and other laid off sworn LEOs,something tells me that I won't be getting hired by the PDs because I have no degree in Criminal Justice nor previous experience.

If this fails, I am thinking applying for the town that I live in as reserve LEO, without sponsorship.

If that doesn't work, I am just gonna go Heald to get my Associate degree in Criminal justice. I am also thinking about getting a job as an armed security guard. Any suggestions where I could get hired as an armed guard?


Right now, I am working full time as a shoe salesman. The job pays the bills, but it's lame. With this job, my hours are screwed, so I can't really attend community college full time. But with all honesty though, I am sick of the community college that I go to. So do you guys think Heald is the right way to go?

Right now,I am taking a semester off. I work full time. I work out 4 times a week to get myself in top shape, I got muscle but I need to burn off the fat and work on cardio. I also quit smoking. In few weeks I am getting my first firearm so I can practice. Anyways, that's my plan, and I am working on it right now. So please, give me some advice/criticism on what I should do to become a LEO.
Thank you very much.

[ankyle62]

Is Heald accredited? Careful going into some of those get your degree quick programs, not all are up to the same standards of regular colleges and are just out to make a buck off you. I would try to stick with community college, they have night, day, and online classes.

[PandaLuv]

it says it is.
I just never met anyone personally who went there and became a LEO

[Falconis]

I would stick with the JC myself.

[spotfire]

Go to a JC. Get your degree. There are plenty of colleges between bay area and sac. Start applying for jobs. Don't wait. Don't put it off. Don't hesitate. Seize your future

[Bunyfofu69]

CJ degrees are very common. Id look into a field that would set you apart from the pack. Accounting, forgien language, even EMT school.

Stick with the JC. Good programs and a bargain buck

[1911su16b870]

If being a LEO is your dream, IMO put yourself through a POST academy, keep your personal life clean and squared away (relationships and finances) and you will eventually be picked up by a department. POST certification is 3 years and it will take 1 year from application to employment with a PD. Good luck.

[PandaLuv]

If being a LEO is your dream, IMO put yourself through a POST academy, keep your personal life clean and squared away (relationships and finances) and you will eventually be picked up by a department. POST certification is 3 years and it will take 1 year from application to employment with a PD. Good luck.

Question, what's post academy?

I've never been arrested, I have a clean record. Only stupid traffic tickets. But I am not an idiot anymore speeding.

I've never done hard drugs. I only smoked weed. It's been over a year since I've done it. I stopped because it's just not the right thing to do according to the LAW. Even if I disagree. Law just has to be followed in my opinion.

I have a great credit history too, I don't know if that matters.

I speak fluent Russian as well.

[PandaLuv]

CJ degrees are very common. Id look into a field that would set you apart from the pack. Accounting, forgien language, even EMT school.

Stick with the JC. Good programs and a bargain buck

Really? I didn't know that PDs look at those degrees as well.

[Big D]

I would recommend staying AWAY from armed security, or any security at all. You don't need that kind of experience to get hired and most interviewers won't be impressed by it. If you want to impress an agency get an education and have a stable work history where all of your co workers and bosses will say that you are hard working, dependable, ethical, always on time and easy to get along with. It doesn't matter if that history is gained at McDonalds or selling shoes.

[Ron-Solo]

Security work can sometime hurt more than it helps. A degree in Criminal Justice is OK, but go for a business degree and take any classes that help with writing skills. LE does a LOT of writing and it is usually the biggest obstacle for most people.

Stay away from these private "schools" such as Everest, Bryman, etc that just want to take your money. Start at a community college. Foreign language skills are a plus, along with Emergency Medical Technician.

Good luck and be patient. LE jobs are hard to find now. Military is also a good option until the economy picks up.

And most of all, CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING A US CITIZEN. WELCOME!

[Falconis]

The other advantage with a JC degree is that it's accreditation will not be overlooked should you want to get an advance degree somewhere else. A lot of those private colleges and online degrees are not looked at favorably with mainstream schools. Also, some departments, like much of the world does not look at them favorably. They still have a stigma of you paid for your degree, you didn't earn it thing.

Also if you have 2 brain cells to rub together, get what I call a functional degree. Accounting, math, etc. I don't, so I have a useless CJ degree as well. So did 75 percent of the people that I applied with way back when. If your brain was tired like mine, ehhh CJ degrees are easier to get ... It's also helpful if you get laid off due to another economical downturn. Trust me, the academy and the continued professional training that's out there will provide you with what you need for the job. and the above poster was right, a functional degree does set you apart.

I would also say stay away from security. In my experience, there are too many knuckleheads in that field that might get you into trouble. Also potential contact with the public that can go sideways is high. Your clean record may get tarnished. Just look for a good job where you can maintain a stable work portfolio.

Also, when you are ready to, apply everywhere they take entrance levels. Don't short yourself. Although those bigger cities are better chances, it doesnt help to apply to different agencies as a full time paid.

Now for the bad news, good luck with that pot smoking. I do not know how it is viewed these days but 12 years ago, pot smoking was not viewed favorably. 1 year really wasn't viewed as enough time to have passed for maturity either. It just says you may have seen law enforcement as a viable career and decided to stop for that reason only. Doesnt matter what excuse you give. But by all means do NOT lie about it at the same time. You may be given a chance anyways if you admit to it, if you lie about it and they find out, you will be blacklisted by every agency.

Good luck dude.

[PandaLuv]

Thanks for all the input.

It feels like I wasted my time with finding the right path on what to do with my life.

Good thing is that I am bilingual and I can write pretty good essay/reports. I just need to figure out what degree I should get. With this economy things are pretty lame. After what all of you have said, trade schools are out of the question.

So about POT, I was not going to lie about that I didn't smoke.PDs are looking for honesty and integrity after all. But honestly, I did grow up a lot. I am definitely more mature than some of my peers. I don't drink and drive, I don't get into fights anymore, I am no longer around people who might get me in trouble with drugs/violence. So does anybody know how long do you have to stay clean for to get hired?

[CaptMike]

It all depends on the department you are applying with. Some have a certain number of years from your last use. My department wants 3 years from your last "experimental" use of marijuana. the word experimental is thrown in to weed out (pun intended) those that were extreme users of the drug. the important thing for most departments is that you are showing a definite change in your maturity. going to school, military service, volunteering at your church, etc. are all good examples of those that are trying to improve themselves. Maintaining a clean background from your "change" is a must. A couple of your comments about your past such as fighting, traffic citations and the weed, show a negative way of being. you have to stay completely away from that stuff and do things that are positive and may make up for some of your negative past. I am not going to lie to you and say that every department is going to want you with your background, but there are lots of department out there. Some Department may appreciate your change and maturity and take a chance on you. good luck.

[NOTARPilot]

I speak fluent Russian as well.

Not sure if you are willing to relocate but the City of Glendale (Next door to Los Angeles and 3rd largest city in LA County) would be very interested in your language ability. PM me if you are intersted and would like more info.