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Full four years of college or not
Hi my name is Cory, and im not yet a police officer but hope to be soon i am starting college this year as a freshman. my qestion to you is do you think it is a bad a idea to go to college for two years and then apply to the police department and have them pay for the rest of my college. i have studied the police department i plan on applying to and they do pay for about 80% of your college while you work for them. but in doing this i would have to go to college only part time. i know how important college is and by no means would i quit, but i would just like your imput on what you think of this.
Thank you for the time.
Submitted by: cory406 @ Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:42 AM
Your idea is laudable but here is the
reality statement. Provided you do get hired under your plan of gaining two
years, then police department pays for the remaining 2 years has a few point to
consider. One that you get hired for most departments will select the candidate
with the BA/BA degree over an AA or no degree. Next you will have to attend the
police academy, then the FTO program and then complete the probationary period.
This will interrupt your academic pursuits. Additionally, read the fine print. Some
educational programs are only offered after completion of these and you are a
good employee (Hint in life- nothing is guaranteed). What really happens to
most under this plan is that you get wrapped up in being a cop, off-duty work,
life, family and shift work (rotation) is not conducive to college hours. I
will give you the advice I give all, go to college and stay there until you get
the big degree. Going back later is not an option. Stay in school, you thank me
for it in the long run.
Answer by: William Harvey @ Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:54 PM
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Keep a Training File
As a recent recruit in the academy we were told to create a "hero sheet" of our training as soon as we graduated by quite a few instructors. However, they never showed us a sample or told us what to include on our list. Do you have a sample or can you elaborate on what to include? Thanks.
Submitted by: Code3Cruiser @ Wednesday, July 09, 2008 2:10 PM
First of all, congratulations on graduating the academy and best of luck to you with your career.
As for a "hero sheet," this is new to me. I would assume that every academy performs feedback or instructor evaluations on its cadre and staff. Each academy has its own methodology on this. However, if you had a brilliant instructor be sure to tell him or her of their impact on your learning experience. Being a police trainer sometimes is more thankless than being a street cop, they will appreciate it.
Answer by: William Harvey @ Wednesday, July 09, 2008 4:10 PM
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Credit
Hi my name is Mike, I am interested in becoming a police officer but the only thing I am worried about is my credit. I've been married for 1 year and my wife and I just finished paying off our debt reductions but I still have 1 or 2 things out there that I still need to pay off. My credit's not good and it's not bad, so I'm wondering if this is going to ruin my chances of being a police officer.
Submitted by: MikeF @ Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:18 AM
Credit history and scores are an "it
depends" from department to department. What the vast majority are
looking for is your track record in handling your financial responsibilities. It
is an honesty/integrity measure; in other words how you handle your responsibilities
of life. In these stormy financial times, many more young men and women fall
into this category. Step one is clean up your past. Be frugal, pay off and
watch future spending/budgeting. Next be prepared to defend your past and how
you have tidied it up. Finally, get out and stay out of deep debt if at all
possible. How some view this is that if you are over your head, making entry patrol
pay you could be subject to integrity breeches (skimming money, taking money or
favors for looking the other way. Get it taken care of and stay that way….be
ready to defend. Good luck.
Answer by: William Harvey @ Tuesday, June 17, 2008 6:58 AM
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Old Man Rookie
First, I would like to thank-you for your time and patience in writing your 'Recruit' articles and answering rookie questions. I (and I'm sure, many others) appreciate it! Now for the question: I am 42 years old and ready to start a new career. I have had an eclectic past that is full of great experiences and rewards. However, I would like to pursue becoming a police offer to give back to our country before it is too late. I am in decent shape, exercise everyday and have a clean record. I have already started the process and things are going well. Granted all continues to go well and I make it through the academy, how do younger, yet veteran officers view the old guys that are rookies? Will we be able to seek out advance training like the younger rookies? Realistically, what am I in for? Thanks again for your time!
Submitted by: MaHai @ Friday, May 30, 2008 5:26 PM
First of all, get the word
“old” out of your vernacular! I have seen many mid-life career
changes. Most commonly, those who have retired from the military or
governmental service; this is far more common than most think. Now, some tips.
During the academy on the physical side—stretch daily, watch your diet and
health—this is rigorous on everyone. Due to amount of years you have been away
from academics, classwork will be difficult. One thing is you have more years to
deprogram thinking as a civilian and from your prior vocations. You will burn
the midnight oil but you will be fine.
Once with the FTO’s there will be
some pro and con. Most probably you will be trained by someone younger than
you. Do not look at their chronological age but their experience age. They have
a lot to offer you, if you can handle it, they can as well. Yes, you will be a
rookie and be subjected to the seasoning processes. Due to your age, you may
not be subjected to some of the frivolity but also you may have a bar set
higher for you. Due to your life experience you will be held to higher
standards in communication and "people skills." Depending on your
life experience you should not have any or little issues.
One bad thing is that once you are there
as a slick sleeved patrol officer. Citizens will view you differently. Senior
officers or ranking officers will be younger than you, which is a given.
However, some citizens will gravitate toward the most mature of the group and
can be awkward. You may find younger officers asking you how to bridge
generational issues on calls. These little human issues are easily worked around.
Be ready for a new career and a great
ride. Most like you that have done this first believe that they let a lot of
life slip through their fingers. Do not look at this in this way, now is your
time and enjoy every minute of it.
Answer by: William Harvey @ Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:03 AM
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Getting Married...
Hi, my name is Aaron and I just recieved news that a department I tested for is considering to hire me. This is of course dependent upon MMPI and Polygraph scores. However ,my dilemma is that I am getting married in Novemeber over Thanksgiving Weekend.
If I get hired, the academy starts in September and goes through December. The academy is on break from a couple of days before Thanksgiving until the Monday after. I discussed this with my wife-to-be and we decided that we'll wait to take an extended honeymoon until our 1-year anniversary.
What and when do I tell the department about me getting married? I know they're not supposed to discriminate based upon marital status or whatnot, but I have already been turned down from one department partially because of me getting married during this time. What should I do? Thanks.
Submitted by: ofcbobier @ Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:17 PM
There are a lot of "what if's" here...
You have stated that you have the MMPI, polygraph, and whatever else before you. Therefore, what I see here is a contigency offer looming. Good luck on the hiring process.
Should you tell your hiring agency about this? I say yes, for you will be applying for spouse benefits, insurance, etc., after getting married. You don't want to get caught in an untruthful statement. As my sainted Irish mother would tell you about telling the truth, "If you tell the truth the first time, then you don't have to remember what you told."
I have not heard of any academy having classes on Thanksgiving break. However...I have seen some give major tests after the long holiday weekend. So, take your notes on the honeymoon to study, well maybe.
The biggest hurdle is to have a long, serious talk---no giddy chat either---with your lady. Starting a marriage, new career, and the FTO process all within a few months of each other will be a stressor. It has been done many times before and will be done many more times, don't sweat...just be aware of each other's life.
Law enforcement has a high enough divorce rate, and yes I have been there as well. I don't want to see another copper headed down that path; communicate with her, and you will make it through this.
Answer by: William Harvey @ Monday, July 30, 2007 10:32 AM
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Non Existent FTO program
a few years ago, I switched police departments. my new department's fto program is virtually nonexistent. I have been selected to a FTO position with only 3 years on the department. I've started with SEGs and an evaluation report. My last department had a binder with questions to ask the trainees, re: laws of arrest, search and seizure, etc and what subjects and questions we went over daily. I need questions since most of my time is spent on writing manuals and trainee evaluations. There just isn't enough time in the day. Does anyone have word or pdf files they can provide to me?
Submitted by: ofcr_stitch @ Thursday, July 12, 2007 12:27 PM
There are two ways to approach this question. My number one recommendation is to
purchase a book that I am great fan of.
You must have "The Field Training Concept in Criminal Justice Agencies" by Glenn F. Kaminsky. It can be obtained from the Website of the publisher Prentice Hall. (Copyright: 2001,
Format: Paper, 256 pp.ISBN-10: 0130177873 ISBN-13: 9780130177872). I know
Glenn as a colleague and friend; he trained and gave me great advice through
the years. His sage wisdom is in the book.
Second idea is to join up with the other FTO's in your area and pool your
resources. You may write suggestions on one topic matter and the other FTOs
cover the remaining. Share your experience, trials and errors with each
other.
You are not alone with being an FTO, in the next agency, county or at the
regional academy... there is another one that is facing this dilemma.
Network and share.
Train Smart and Train Safe!
Answer by: William Harvey @ Friday, July 13, 2007 12:13 PM
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Entry requirements
I am a soldier currently serving over seas and I am curious about becoming a police officer when I come home and off active duty status. I have a highschool diploma, but it is from an online home school. Unfortunately I had to work most of my days and nights growing up to help my family pay the bills and did not have the luxury of going to a regular high school. Is this going to slow me down from reaching my goal? Thank you for your time.
Submitted by: robertboisis @ Monday, July 02, 2007 9:28 PM
First and foremost, I want to thank you for your service to our Nation and the fight against terrorism—Hooah!
Answer to your question is twofold, first for the non-traditional high school diploma. Now is the time to ensure that certifications and school accreditation is intact. I am assured it is but some civil service/human resources types may not fully understand it. Just have this as a backup plan to explain this to them.
Second, is a tip, you return and about to ETS from the military and see the cop job you want. Can you apply now? It depends, some may let you start the process early but some may not until you have the DD Form 214 in your hands.
Both of these, the diploma and ETS/application depend on the individual agency you are applying to. Read and fully ask all questions of them before you start the process. Don’t want you to waste your time and energy.
Finally, before you ETS make sure you register with the Veteran’s Affairs office for medical and all other benefits you are entitled to as a Vet. Only takes a hour of so and you will be on the VA records for later in life.
Best of luck and stay safe!
Answer by: William Harvey @ Tuesday, July 03, 2007 8:32 AM
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School & Patience
Hi my name is Ryan and I’m going to be a senior at the University Of Washington; I also play football and am on scholarship. Lately I have had much difficulty wanting to finish school and my love for football has been taken over by my life long dream and passion for law enforcement. I have always dreamt about being a police officer and later a detective, I was a police explorer and have done multiple ride alongs and did my high school senior project studying the pierce county sheriffs department. And now i see all the agencies in my area looking to higher and I really want to test and begin my career. So really I just want some advice should I tough it out and finish my degree? Is it crucial? Can’t I just finish it later? I just feel like I’m ready to move forward...any advice?
Submitted by: Bighusky @ Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:21 PM
Ryan, finish your BA/BS degree at all costs! I am the poster child for stay
in college...long story but this comes with real life experience. Many
agencies require a 4 year degree now and the list gets longer every year.
Agencies that don't require it may do so for promotion or specialization
(You mentioned becoming a detective). Stay the course in college; you are
young and have plenty of time to get on with the career. From my experience
it is far easier completing college young than in your 30's like I had to.
Stay safe, study hard and best of luck to you!
Answer by: William Harvey @ Sunday, July 01, 2007 6:50 PM
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