Becoming LEO, Need HELP ASAP

[rollaspeed1]

Hello,

I'd like to start by saying that I never give up but I am starting to get discouraged here... Please help me figure out what it is that I am missing or doing wrong at the oral boards because after 6 or 7 I was never able to move further in the hiring process. These are the points I speak to and emphasize:

I started by loosing 30 lb down to 185-190. I am 5'11". I went back to being able to run 5+ miles, etc. I do Muay Thai, boxing, and had been doing martial arts for a few years now too. I quit smoking 2 years ago for good. I do not do any drugs. I have no arrests. I have good credit. I am diligent and decisive. I am turning 30 next month so I have good amount of life experience. I have strong morals and values, and I know why I want to be LEO. By the way, what I really want to do is graduate to Detective after I've proven myself as officer. I see it as a career. I went on ride-alongs. I received a certificate for CPR/AED/First aid. I got into and learned about weapons, bought, and learnt how to shoot well. [I am considering taking defensive courses but haven't yet].
In addition to speaking excellent English, I am fluent in Russian and Ukrainian. I came to the US at the age of 16 from Ukraine, so I am very much bi-cultural and don't fail to emphasize it during oral boards.

On the flip side, I have had many traffic violations when I was younger but that stopped at least 4 years ago (this never really came up as I never even proceeded to background). Also, while I am only 42 or so units away from BS in Business Administration, I haven't finished my degree.

My work experience may be working against me:
For the past 2 years I had been a Relationship Banker, although licensed by SEC, which has nothing to do with what's preferred. For like 6 years prior to that I did wireless sales, which, again, doesn't bring much to the table.

Personally, at 28 I've realized that I no longer want to have a corporate job and want to do something that's rewarding and not monotonous day-to-day, and where I can grow. I have an investigative mind and a passion for protecting those who can't, so LEO was an easy choice for me. By the way, this is the truth, not an answer I think they want to hear.

There is obviously something that I am doing wrong because the last 3 boards I've been to I feel that I've answered all the questions well. The first 2 or 3 were more like nervous practice but the latest ones were well-tuned IMHO.

Any help is appreciated.

[Baconator]

You might not be doing anything wrong but consider your competition. If you have any issues at all you are up against people that have none.

[indetrucks]

You will be second choice to anyone with the same credentials but has military background. Know this going in.

[1911su16b870]

See if you can enroll in a Police Academy as pre-service. Get your Level 1 POST certificate and then hire on as a reserve at a department. Be patient and learn the job, hopefully you can complete field training and get on as a regular PO or lateral to another agency.

ETA: This is a long process...definitely no ASAPs in it...make your decision to go into this profession and persevere. Good Luck!

[rollaspeed1]

You might not be doing anything wrong but consider your competition. If you have any issues at all you are up against people that have none.

That had been one of my rationalizations to keep on trying because I am in no way in control of that factor. Same goes for those with Military background.

However, this is how I see things: while I am not in control of what the other guy has got, I am in control of IMPROVING my responses and tailoring it to advance to the next step. Come backgrounds, my clean BG may beat out a stained one of the next guy, and my determination to succeed may be far greater making me a better candidate still..... Theoretically speaking, of course.

Thank all of you for quick responses btw!

[sfbay]

See if you can enroll in a Police Academy as pre-service. Get your Level 1 POST certificate and then hire on as a reserve at a department. Be patient and learn the job, hopefully you can complete field training and get on as a regular PO or lateral to another agency.

ETA: This is a long process...definitely no ASAPs in it...make your decision to go into this profession and persevere. Good Luck!

This ^^^^^ it worked for me... it's a long journey and I wish you luck.



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[rollaspeed1]

See if you can enroll in a Police Academy as pre-service. Get your Level 1 POST certificate and then hire on as a reserve at a department. Be patient and learn the job, hopefully you can complete field training and get on as a regular PO or lateral to another agency.

ETA: This is a long process...definitely no ASAPs in it...make your decision to go into this profession and persevere. Good Luck!

This is the logical way to go, but I don't have the means to quit working for 6 months and at the same time pay $6K for the academy. Otherwise, I would. It IS the right way.

[Patrick Aherne]

Maybe you just suck at oral boards? Oral board testing is, interesting... Many people are not good at this form of testing.

Buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/Oral-Interview.../dp/1930466242

[rollaspeed1]

Maybe you just suck at oral boards? Oral board testing is, interesting... Many people are not good at this form of testing.

Buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/Oral-Interview.../dp/1930466242

I am actually good at interviewing in general. But I wonder if my answers do not coincide with what the departments want to hear?

[Thomkat]

CHP academy? I've seen some go through it and at the end, with high marks, go off to another agency, even to another state PD / SO job.

[rollaspeed1]

Maybe you just suck at oral boards? Oral board testing is, interesting... Many people are not good at this form of testing.

Buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/Oral-Interview.../dp/1930466242

P.S. Buying the book

[conallron19]

This is the logical way to go, but I don't have the means to quit working for 6 months and at the same time pay $6K for the academy. Otherwise, I would. It IS the right way.

Keep in mind, you can do the academy in the modular part time format. Itd about the same cost but can work around a full time schedule.

But as a level 1 grad, only 4 out of 22 of us were hired as reserves or full time. Also, I was put on waiting lists as agencies ran academies ahead of academy grads to maintain their post cert as an academy.

A post cert puts you a little ahead of non-grads but is not a guaranteed job.

[Eirerogue]

Competition for LEO jobs these days is scary. I see people with military experience, Master's degrees and very squared away vying for positions and getting DQ'd. You've got to get an edge or at least EXCEED minimally qualifying standards. Finish that degree and if you really want it, consider a leave of absence from work and if you have to, BORROW the 6K for the Academy.

Don't look around 10 years from now in a dead end job and regret you never took the chance. If it's really what you want then make it yours.

[rollaspeed1]

Keep in mind, you can do the academy in the modular part time format. Itd about the same cost but can work around a full time schedule.

A post cert puts you a little ahead of non-grads but is not a guaranteed job.

That's what I've been hearing. Appreciate the input!

[Hot Holster]

I am actually good at interviewing in general. But I wonder if my answers do not coincide with what the departments want to hear?

Just remember, the people who do the oral boards have heard the same cliches and answers over and over from other applicants. Be original in your answers, for example: "Why do you want to be a police officer", Everyone, and I mean everyone answers the same way "because I want to do good for the community". They get tired of hearing that crap. They know the draw to L.E. is primarily the stability of the job and the benefits offered.

Try answering "I believe law enforcement is an admirable profession which offers numerous benefits and personal growth to those who wish to succeed as an officer as I do, while working with the community as a whole to maintain a safe, enjoyable place to reside, work, or visit." Sounds a bit different right?

Try to go back and think of the most common questions you were asked and come up with some creative answers so you can stand out from the other applicants.

I remember one question in the scenario portion: you are off duty, in plainclothes, concealed weapon on you, inside a bank, in line, when a guy goes up to the counter and announces a holdup, what do you do?

Most answers would be to draw your weapon and badge announce yourself as a police officer. Wrong....Correct answer is do nothing until the guy leaves the bank then with caution follow to observe a getaway vehicle and direction of escape, engaging is the last action you should take.

This happened in Michigan where the officer drew his gun to thwart the robbery, unknown to him there was another bad guy covering the door and he walked up and shot the officer in the head, then once again in the head while he was on the floor. His eight year old son got to watch the entire thing.

This scenario was the downfall to a lot of applicants who appeared to be to gung ho during the oral boards.

Good luck, and as it was written earlier, if you can afford it, enter an academy on your dime, get certified and be one step up on a lot others. Or look into other localities or states.