Looking into serving as a LEO

[TNP]

Respected Officers,
I am 23 currently about to earn my bachelors in Accounting at Sacramento State. What I have learned through this time besides intricate accounting principles is that I do not have a passion for being an accountant and sadly only realized this recently. I always wanted to attend the academy and pursue a career in Law Enforcement as I believe this is one of the few professions that put you in a position to really serve a significant purpose within your community but was discouraged by a lot of different sources saying there were not going to be many jobs available to those looking into the profession. I understand the time and financial commitment required to attend P.O.S.T. and am willing to commit and also have a clean record aside from 3 traffic tickets for speeding and running a stop sign. My basic questions are: Would my Bachelor's in accounting hold any ground in finding a job after the Academy? I am 5'9" 165 lbs. with an athletic build, would this work against me? (I notice a lot of LEO's are tall and husky). What is the process of going from academy to officer? Excuse me if I am being naive with any of my questions but I am just starting to do my research and any info I can get from this thread would be a lot of help.
Thank you all for any input you may have on this subject.

[Ron-Solo]

Your degree is an asset, and will help you earn your Intermediate and Advanced POST certificates sooner. Usually that equates to more $$$.

5'9" is fine, as long as your weight is proportional.

Some departments hire you as a "recruit" and send you to an academy and you are paid while attending. Others only hire people that have self sponsored themselves thru an academy. You pay for everything and try to get hired after graduation. Cost can be in the thousands of dollars.

Best of luck

[TASK, LLC]

Officer come from all kinds of backgrounds. Different shapes, sizes, etc. Everyone is different. Never let anyone discourage you from pursuing a career in law enforcement or from any career.

Many agencies recruit, select, deselect, hire, then train their officers. Some will hire after someone has already received training from a POST academy. It varies from agency to agency.

BA degrees are always helpful in finding employment.

Is there a particular agency or area you want to work?

Good luck on your process.

[ckim34]

The degree would be a huge plus. Putting your self through the academy and latching on as a reserve would be a good idea too.

[TNP]

Thank you for your answers and input my graduation is in December, so I will be planning on starting after then. Do any of you gentlemen know if any of the sac pd agencies are hiring and pay for POST? If I were to look for an agency to sponsor me as a recruit to pay for my training do I apply at their department?

[Invisible_Dave]

Degree is always good and is often required for promotion, depending on agency.

I'm 5'8 160 and consider my size to be an asset. Dirtbags talk to me over some of the larger guys because they don't feel intimidated. That being said, learn how to talk to people because you don't have the appearance of the "Hulk Smash" option. I view my size as an asset overall.

We are hiring like crazy right now in the bay area.,I'm running out the door to work right now but will shoot you a PM with some details later.

[HisOwnHero]

With an accounting degree, I would look into applying with the FBI when they have openings and other federal agencies as well. It will absolutely help you at a local level PD as well.

[Rockit]

any of the sac pd agencies are hiring and pay for POST? If I were to look for an agency to sponsor me as a recruit to pay for my training do I apply at their department?

Sac County is just starting their academy again. I don't think they are sponsoring anyone though. Pay your own way, get picked up as on call for a few years then hope for full time.

[fullrearview]

Sac County is just starting their academy again. I don't think they are sponsoring anyone though. Pay your own way, get picked up as on call for a few years then hope for full time.

This^

Great department and worth more than just a look. A lot of places are hiring right now. There has been, pretty much, a 3 year hiring freeze for the most part. For some departments it will have created a large void in a few years, which will bring good prospects.

Some departments are paying signing bonuses for laterals right now... I haven't seen a hiring bonus offered for at least 5 years.

[Raider510]

Accounting degree will score big points for trying to get into the FBI.

[TASK, LLC]

Accounting degree will score big points for trying to get into the FBI.

The FBI sometimes prefers that you have work experience prior to joining. Law enforcement related work is especially helpful.