I got turned down...

[DAR556]

+1 on AZ. Tucson is hiring like crazy as well as Pima County and Pinal County to name a few.

[omgwtfbbq]

+1 on AZ. Tucson is hiring like crazy as well as Pima County and Pinal County to name a few.

+2.

I have a good friend who was having a hard time getting LE work in CA because it was only 20. Coconino County in Northern AZ picked him up as a detention deputy and he was out and on with Flagstaff PD in under two years. He's been there 4-5 years now and enjoys it.

[Adeodatus]

+2.

I have a good friend who was having a hard time getting LE work in CA because it was only 20. Coconino County in Northern AZ picked him up as a detention deputy and he was out and on with Flagstaff PD in under two years. He's been there 4-5 years now and enjoys it.

Oh, Flagstaff PD would be a dream!

Flagstaff is absolutely beautiful!

[SeanCasey]

Also, AZ DPS is hiring like crazy.

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/azdps/default.cfm

[responsiblefreedom69]

Just to clarify: They asked you to submit to a psych test as part of the hiring process, prior to giving you a conditional offer of employment?

Or was this part of a selection process to enroll in a POST academy?

[bombadillo]

I hate to say it, but if you applied at our local PD, you'd probably get turned down because they thought you were lying about drug/alcohol use.

It can be sad but true, but some PD's want people who have some life experience of experimenting with things so they know what and who to look for.

Good luck in the future!

[Sikvenum93]

Tough luck man. you sound like a spot on applicant. hopefully you get picked up soon dont lose hope!

[4FTTY]

Sounds like a lack of life experience. Do you have your own place or live at home?

[Adeodatus]

Also, AZ DPS is hiring like crazy.
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/azdps/default.cfm

Awesome! Thank you!

Just to clarify: They asked you to submit to a psych test as part of the hiring process, prior to giving you a conditional offer of employment?

Or was this part of a selection process to enroll in a POST academy?

The psych test was part of the hiring process to get a paid position for the department POST academy.

I hate to say it, but if you applied at our local PD, you'd probably get turned down because they thought you were lying about drug/alcohol use.

It can be sad but true, but some PD's want people who have some life experience of experimenting with things so they know what and who to look for.

Good luck in the future!

Yeah, but it's true, I'm not a big drinker at all. Also never bothered with drugs.

Mhm, kinda funny. Work hard to stay clean so I can get a good job only to possibly get turned down because I'm not dirty enough lol.

Tough luck man. you sound like a spot on applicant. hopefully you get picked up soon dont lose hope!

Thank you! I hope I make it somewhere soon. Really want to get a move on with life.

Sounds like a lack of life experience. Do you have your own place or live at home?

Yeah, fair to point that out. I did just graduate college in December and I've worked only part time jobs through college and currently live at home because I'm not full time.

[trob]

some of the weirdest people have never been in trouble in their lives. They also don't know how to talk to anyone.

[wilit]

I have a buddy that wanted to be a LEO. He applied everywhere but didn't get very much interest (this was during the Great Recession, so not many departments were hiring). He even went so far as to pay for his POST academy out of his own pocket to make himself more marketable. Still, no interest in any California Dept. Then he started applying out of state and got tons of interest. He ended up getting hired by a Sheriff's Dept in Oregon. He spent a couple years up there to get the experience and found that doing a lateral into a CA dept was now much easier.

[jonathan50bmg]

Get that degree and experience life. The majority of my academy class were in their early 30's. These agencies want mature candidates(not saying that you're immature) with life experience. They want candidates that have a clean track record over certain period of time. They want candidates that are married, have kids, etc. If you're married and/or have children, you tend to be more serious about wanting the job to provide for them. You would be more likely to stay with the department and promote. Regardless, keep pushing forward. I was rejected too in my early 20's. Ultimately, you will get in. Having that degree shows you have the drive to persevere and the academic discipline will certainly give you bonus points. Good luck!

[Adeodatus]

some of the weirdest people have never been in trouble in their lives. They also don't know how to talk to anyone.

I'm not weird. I'm very social.

I have a buddy that wanted to be a LEO. He applied everywhere but didn't get very much interest (this was during the Great Recession, so not many departments were hiring). He even went so far as to pay for his POST academy out of his own pocket to make himself more marketable. Still, no interest in any California Dept. Then he started applying out of state and got tons of interest. He ended up getting hired by a Sheriff's Dept in Oregon. He spent a couple years up there to get the experience and found that doing a lateral into a CA dept was now much easier.

Yeah, I'm heavily considering paying to get into an academy now. I am more than willing to jump ship out of California. Other than all my family being here along with my GF, nothing is tying me down to this state.

Get that degree and experience life. The majority of my academy class were in their early 30's. These agencies want mature candidates(not saying that you're immature) with life experience. They want candidates that have a clean track record over certain period of time. They want candidates that are married, have kids, etc. If you're married and/or have children, you tend to be more serious about wanting the job to provide for them. You would be more likely to stay with the department and promote. Regardless, keep pushing forward. I was rejected too in my early 20's. Ultimately, you will get in. Having that degree shows you have the drive to persevere and the academic discipline will certainly give you bonus points. Good luck!

Definitely liking the idea of getting a bachelors from SJSU in Justice studies. I could knock that out in a year and a half since I already have lots of the courses under my belt.

Yeah on my psych I was asked "what is one bad thing about yourself" and I answered honestly that it would be my youthfulness. I am young, 24 and fresh out of college, and I am not well seasoned in life.

Funny though, I'm not planning on getting married until I have a good job and can support a family so interesting circle that creates.

True. I already have my A.S. and a bachelors would help a ton. Plus a pay increase with it is nice.

[mixicus]

If you are going to get a 4 year degree...get it in something you enjoy and can make a career with outside of LE. CJ has very limited applications outside of LE. A CJ degree is not required or even favored for a LE career. Most departments will give you educational pay for any accredited degree. CA POST doesn't specify any majors for degrees for certificates. The academy and AOT will teach you all about being an officer or deputy.

As for places to apply, consider larger SD's. They will tend to take younger applicants. Plenty of advantages to a career or even spending a few years at LASD, OCSD, etc. If you want to work the streets and can't wait around for your custody time to be up, lateraling is easier after you clear probation.

[responsiblefreedom69]

I might be missing something here...BUT, if an agency asks you to submit to ANY type of medical testing (physical exam, psych test, etc) it has to be AFTER they give you a conditional offer of employment. You pass the exam/you get the job.

I'm not talking about a physical agility test. That's performance-based, and is a normal part of testing.

If you did "pass" the psych test, then they are contractually obligated to give you the job.