Law Enforcement Technician yea' or nay?

[Notmyrealname]

I'm interested in becoming a Law Enforcement Technician for Los Angeles County Sheriff. I was told this is the "foot in the door" position for moving around in the department on the civilian side of things. I have looked online at the requirements and I meet the college credit requirements. Online it states I need to take the PELLETB exam. I found one academy in San Jose that offers this exam for a fee. There has to be somewhere closer where I can take this. Does anybody know where this can be done? How difficult is the exam? It has been awhile since I had to worry about sentence fragments and spelling.

My wife is not ok with me becoming an officer. I don't want that to stop me from helping keep my community safe. I have a lot to offer the department, especially in the area of audio and video editing, scanning, creation etc. I'm leaving the post production side of the movie industry and looking to start a new career in a field I can be proud in.

Is the information I have been given correct? Are there any other positions that would fit my skills better? If Anyone has info or can give help navigating this application process I would be extremely grateful.

[phantomson9]

Becoming a law enforcement tech isnt a bad thing. I know a few of them. They do important work. As for the audio video aspect it would depend on where they needed you. Chances are you will be at a station dispatching basically. LASD is hiring deputies why not apply for that? I started out as a public response dispatcher for LASD and am
Now a deputy.
If your looking for a foot in the door its not going to hurt as long as you work hard and meet as many people as you can.
I don't know about the test. The county should offer any test you need. Good luck And pm if you have any questions.

[retired]

My wife is not ok with me becoming an officer. I don't want that to stop me from helping keep my community safe.

First of all, a LET is not an officer or deputy. They are not sworn. Does your wife understand the difference. If she doesn't, you should explain the difference so she understands you would not be in the field enforcing laws and putting yourself in possible danger.

More importantly, if your wife does not want you working for the dept. in any capacity, even a non-sworn one and you decide to do it anyway; plan on probably being divorced.

From reading those two sentences it sounds like you intend on doing what you want and it doesn't matter what your wife wants. I may have misinterpreted what you wrote, but that is what it sounds like.

As far as your expertise goes, there is a media unit within the dept. and tho I haven't worked with them since before there was such a thing as LETS, they would probably welcome your experience. If you intend on going thru with this, you might inquire about that unit. They make the training films for the dept., other agencies and security companies (well at least they used to as I was in a couple a looong time ago.)

[Notmyrealname]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

@Retired, I stated my wife is not ok with me being an officer because she doesn't want me on the streets, in harms way, etc. She is totally fine with me working in the dept. This was my reasoning for looking at an LET position. I still get to work in the department and she doesn't have to worry about me in the field. My wording may not have not communicated that very well. I apologize.

Is there some form of training I can take now to give me an edge as far as dispatching goes? Seems like LETs tend to just be dispatchers that on occasion do other stuff.

[Notorious]

POST standard dispatcher tests... you should be able to get some study guides on it. Check your local library and also Post.ca.gov and look for info on dispatchers.