Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Is it easier to get in with the corrrections, or with a Police dept? and is the background on Corrections any easier vs. PD if I told them Im willing to work anywhere in the state?

From what I hear it's easier to get in with corrections. Well, in most places. Be willing to submit to a background check. It's a condition of employment. Most places could care less as long as you are willing to commute or relocate.

I guess it depends on the state. In PA , Corrections are not cops and cannot lateral into a police position without attending the full academy.

It's for the state of California, and it's the same here Correctional Officers cant lateral into P.D. w/o going through the whole process. But in California Correctional Officers are sworn Police Officers.

Uhhhhhhh.......C.O.'s are NOT sworn police officers here in CA fyi.

Sorry about that I thought that they were sworn poilce officers, on my buddies ID it says police officer, not trying to prove anything I just thought that ment he was sworn, and hes also aloud to carry off duty also. Thanks for the information

Is he a Deputy Sheriff? They are both in the jails and on the road.

maybe you mean sworn "peace officer," I know in NY we are sworn peace officers which gives us the ability to carry off duty like you stated

In NJ, Corrections Officers are Sworn Law enforcement. we can carry off duty and have all the same powers as the PD. but the doc does not want us to do routine police stuff. and if you transfer to a pd you have to go to the acedemy all over again. Don't know any state that will take corrections academy to pd. but the pay is good as much if not more the the pd's.

In WA State, it is easier to become a corrections officer. I have worked corrections at three different agencies and the written test was much easier than the tests I took to become a police officer. The physical fitness test is the same, but the standards are much lower (and no sprint for corrections).

Corrections Officer have "a limited commission" meaning they are commissioned to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer within their boundries, ie, facility, transport, work crew, ect. Police Officer's are "fully commissioned", meaning they are commissioned or empowered to perform law enforcment at anytime in the State they are commissioned. Of course, some agency's policies may prohibit or limit this.

In Wisconsin, C.O.'s attend a 7-week academy. The minimum qualification is no felony record and a high school diploma. C.O.'s are not certified as Law Enforcement officers. To qualify as a Law Enforcement Officer, you are required to have at least 60 college credits and attend a 520 hour academy. State Correctional Officers can lateral onto the State Patrol, but they have to take the same tests as any applicant, and go through the State Patrol Academy. They are not assured a transfer.

If you are in California and are willing to relocate to anywhere in the State then may I suggest applying for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at one of our stunning (and actively hiring locations) such as:

FCI Herlong, CA located in the Sierra highlands of northern California, 50 miles northwest of Reno, NV, and about 30 miles southeast of Susanville, CA. (Men's medium)

USP Atwater, CA located on a former portion of Castle Air Force Base, approximately 130 miles from San Francisco. (Men's high)

FCI II Victorville, CA (part of FCC Victorville) located approximately 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles on Interstate 15. (Men's medium)

FCI Dublin, CA located 20 miles southeast of Oakland on the Camp Parks Army Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) Military Base. (Women's low)

*FCC - Federal Correctional Complex
*FCI - Federal Correctional Institution
*USP - United States Penitentiary

I think it's a lot easier to get hired in corrections than a police department. Probably because so many people apply for LE positions it gives departments the oppertunity to be picky.

Is it easier to get in with the corrrections, or with a Police dept? and is the background on Corrections any easier vs. PD if I told them Im willing to work anywhere in the state?

I've always heard it was easier to get on Corrections than PD. Makes since if you think about the job duties. But, CA Corrections officers are peace officers. It's a good job, a few AF reservist I know are in the department and they love it. Good pay and flexible. They can also carry 24/7, not sure about what firearms. Good job I think.