Becoming LEO, Need HELP ASAP

[rollaspeed1]

While I got nothing but respect for our soldiers, that's one thing I don't want to do.

[rollaspeed1]

You want to be a cop but not a soldier? PD's are paramilitary organizations. Both professions put their lives on the line even though they wear different uniforms. I suggest you look real hard at what you really want. IMO you will never be a cop thinking how you think.

I am well aware of and in peace with the similarities between the professions. Its the differences that make me choose. I want to be local, not global. I am more about protecting the community then the country. Reasons along those lines made me want to join police over military. No offence, its just personal preference.

[RedVines]

All the agencies you've interviewed with are being VERY selective right now with their hiring. those cities are affluent and they attract highly qualified applicants and most of them are probably already cops looking to lateral to greener pastures. Honestly your chance of getting hired and sponsored through an academy by agencies that size is almost zero when there is such a large pool of laterals and academy grads.

SFPD hiring will be just as competitive but at least you won't be competing against laterals. If you reconsider OPD and SJPD those two agencies will probably be your easiest way to get your foot in the door. Good luck.

[Mason McDuffie]

So it seems that since joining the military its not an option for me, the only REAL advantage I can get is to put myself through the academy. I'm leaning that way now. Any other suggestions?

[rollaspeed1]

All the agencies you've interviewed with are being VERY selective right now with their hiring. those cities are affluent and they attract highly qualified applicants and most of them are probably already cops looking to lateral to greener pastures. Honestly your chance of getting hired and sponsored through an academy by agencies that size is almost zero when there is such a large pool of laterals and academy grads.

SFPD hiring will be just as competitive but at least you won't be competing against laterals. If you reconsider OPD and SJPD those two agencies will probably be your easiest way to get your foot in the door. Good luck.

OPD and SJPD because they are less desirable?

[rollaspeed1]

Congrats on finally getting in and thanks for your service and for advice!

[Mason McDuffie]

Both dept's are going through a huge hiring spree.

[5ohguy]

Law enforcement jobs (and promotions) are all about being in the right place at the right time. If you really want it, keep trying and it will work out eventually.

[djack12]

If you want to get sponsored through an academy an agency like OPD or SJPD is the way to go. The other agencies you are talking about don't run their own academies and are probably only sponsoring 1 or 2 guys each academy. OPD or SJPD run academies every 6 months and send 50 ppl thru at at time. I went through the process with OPD and it was smooth. Budget issues came up in 08 so I never started (look up OPD 166th basic academy) but it is a good dept to start at and you learn a lot quick.

[ckim34]

Like others have stated, I suggest that you go to the academy and try to get hired on as a reserve someone to get your foot in the door.

[Tac380]

Oakland, San Jose, LAPD, LASD all hire massive numbers and its a numbers game. You see a lot and learn a lot from them, more so than smaller agencies. Sacramento PD & County Sheriffs do a lot of hiring but even they are highly competitive and extremely hard to get on, even for a lateral.

Again you might want to think twice about Oakland, San Jose, LAPD, LASD and then lateral to one of the agencies you have previously applied for.
Last I heard San Mateo PD would't look at you without a 2 or 4 year degree. Its a numbers game, keep going.

[America's Least Wanted]

I'm guessing Spanish language skills and various psychology course work, or job exp as security in a psych ward or halfway house, or volunteering with "at risk ghetto youth" would go a lot further than kickboxing and various MMA.

If you want to tell them you want to 'serve the community' it might be nice to have SOME example of you actually doing that, not to mention picking up some personal recommendations from various 'community leaders'. In other words, some serious asskissing for a few MONTHS, if not years.

I knew a guy in high school who became a cop, and now I know why he was doing all sorts of dorky things as a senior and after.

[rollaspeed1]

Great advice

[BigStiCK]

Though I havent read every post, on a quick scan through I didnt see any mention of the CHP. We do happen to be hiring at the moment. I would give serious consideration as, judging from your original post, you would seem to be a good candidate.

Just a thought. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

-Stick

[fmxmyway]

A lot of good advice on this thread. I was in your same shoes not too long ago. What you are experiencing is normal, especially coming from the private sector. All the questions they ask are targeted. Being a law abiding citizen, I sure wasn't use to detectives and agents challenging me as Ive never been on that side of them before so it definitely caught me off guard. However, your self-analysis and lack of ego will serve you very well. You will get there, just takes time so keep that in mind.