Advice

I can't help you when it comes to making choices, but I do know that Michigan has been the hardest hit as far as the economy goes. You are better off seeking law enforcement outside of the state because every village, town, and city is cutting their workforces including cops. Most police departments still only require a High School diploma or a GED. Not having a college degree is not a roadblock for you. You will find agencies that don't require them.

As far as making it through the academy, your age has no factor with most agencies. I know a cop that went through the police academy at the age of 40 with a pace maker. He graduated just fine and is a fine cop still today. You will need to be sponsored by a police agency though, and that is done by applying as a police officer recruit. They will pay you for going to the academy.

If your heart is truly set on being a law enforcement officer out of the love for the work, keep your sights on target. Put your mind to it and you will accomplish what you set out to do.

Good luck.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

RE: How to get started when you are in late 30's?

There are several possible options.You might try one of the federal agencies first. For most federal law enforcement you need to be hired before your 37th birthday, so it might be a problem depending on how late in your 30's you are. I think there may be a few positions that are law enforcement but the feds donot pay as law enforcement so the rules differ, but I am not positive on that.

After that, look at what state you would like to move to. Texas has a lot of openings for a lot of departments. The problem you might have is that the larger departments may have age restrictions also, but there are a lot of smaller towns hiring that do not. There are regional academies allover the state that are open to the public, and they get visited by a lot of departments looking for recruits.

I can't help with the job part, but that is one way to become an officer. Jobs are getting scarce all over, though Texas is not as bad off as other states yet.

Thanks for the advice

Whoa - 40 and a mechanical ticker? Wow, good for him he sounds very determined.

Thanks for the advice.

RE: How to get started when you are in late 30's?

One thing you can do is find a Police Department which pays you to go through the Academy. That'll take care of the pay while learning issue. And reaquiring a taste for Ramen....

For what it's worth, Norfolk Virginia is currently hiring Police Officers for the next academy; they pay for your time there as well. Not sure how much longer they'll be hiring though with this economy.

life isn't over until - well until you stop breathing

Whoa - 40 and a mechanical ticker? Wow, good for him he sounds very determined.

Thanks for the advice.

Yep. That is what he told me. I can only go by what he said. I guess he applied to the academy and put down on all his forms that he had a pace maker. He had some questions to answer about it, but the academy ultimately let him proceed because he was doing just fine. People think that cops have to be perfect in mint condition, but everyone needs to understand that the police are not in physical confrontations everyday. Sure, the bigger the department, the greater the chance, but using your brains over braun is preferred (less law suits that way).

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

RE: How to get started when you are in late 30's?

Rach,

It really is not unusual for an older cadet to get into the academy with problems you would think would disqualify him. Texas had a sad case recently where a 45 year old went through the Game Wardens academy recently. He had a pre-existing heart condition that he knew of but I don't know if he told the academy about it. A year later, he was taking the first of the fitness tests we just got mandated to take. He had a fatal heart attack while running the mile and half.

There was quite a scandal brewing over the fitness test and his death until it was revealed he had the pre-existing condition.

RE: How to get started when you are in late 30's?

Incidentally, Binfordtools, that reminded me that both our Game Wardens (Texas Parks and Wildlife http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us) and Highway Patrol (Department of Public Safety http://www.txdps.state.tx.us) are hiring and will be for the foreseeable future. They have no maximum age limit, put you through the academy with a barracks room and mess hall and pay you a salary while in the academy. Good benefits from the state and either would be a good career.

And most of Texas has a lot better weather than Detroit. 70 degrees on Christmas Day for motorcycle riding. Today had a high of 70 and an overnight low in the high 30's to low 40's. Warmer the further south you get and colder with snow (in case you miss it) in the pnahandle and north areas.

Last edited @ 2/5/2009 7:21 PM

Texas Jobs...

Thank you for the advice about Texas. I was until this year traveling there a few times per year in the Ft. Worth area for business. I loved being there. The people I ran into were always nice, the weather was perfect, and the housing prices seemed very reasonable. I will for sure check out both of these that you suggested.

Dallas PD

Do you have at least 45 hours of college or 4 years of active military service? Have a clear record and are physically fit? If so, go to this web site recruiting.dallaspolice.net

Dallas PD makes at least one trip to Michigan each year to recruit. You can download an application and complete that first, then attend a weekend onsite to do all your testing in one weekend. Dallas PD pays you while you are attending their academy.

You can call 1-800-527-2948 or

email recruiting-dpd@dpd.dallascityhall.com

Good Luck!

RE: How to get started when you are in late 30's?

Hey all, been a while since I wrote here, lot has happened so I thought I'd post a quick update. In April I went down to Ft. Lauderdale Florida and did a bunch of testing. I did a swim test, a physical agility test, and a written test. I passed all and placed good enough to get an oral board review the next day, which I also passed. They were only hiring the top 5, which I was not so I did not get a job offer yet. However, I was told that I placed good enough to get called back in October to go on to the next steps. I am not holding my breath, but it still was a good ego boost that I did that well my very first try out there. I also got a letter from Detroit (remember, I live in Michigan) to come down for the next steps in that process. So I have a few irons in the fire; I will continue to apply - someone has to eventually give me a shot at the academy!
Thanks to all for the letters to my e-mail, the support here has been fantastic. By the same token, if anyone has any questions about Florida's processes I now may be able to help you out.