Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey everyone.

Starting next quarter, I will be enrolled at the local college while being simultaneously enrolled at the high school (I'm currently a junior).

I'm planning on taking Policing in America, Domestic Assault, and HAZMAT this quarter, and hopefully get my Associates at the same time I graduate from high school.

I am planning on continuing to get my Bachelors in Criminal Justice at a 4-year university. Would it be beneficial to get a couple of years of experience in law enforcement before getting my Bachelors to make sure of my career choice, or should I move on to college directly?

I can see both upsides and downsides of both, but for you all that have gone this path, which would you suggest?

Thanks,

Fiona

Hey everyone.

Starting next quarter, I will be enrolled at the local college while being simultaneously enrolled at the high school (I'm currently a junior).

I'm planning on taking Policing in America, Domestic Assault, and HAZMAT this quarter, and hopefully get my Associates at the same time I graduate from college.

I am planning on continuing to get my Bachelors in Criminal Justice at a 4-year university. Would it be beneficial to get a couple of years of experience in law enforcement before getting my Bachelors to make sure of my career choice, or should I move on to college directly?

I can see both upsides and downsides of both, but for you all that have gone this path, which would you suggest?

Thanks,

Fiona


Your avatar scares me...

Anyway, this is just my personal opinion. I wish I could rewind time and finish my degree. I completed two years and then went in the military, the military was great but I wish I would've just finished my degree.

1. It can make you more desireable.

2. It shows you can follow thorugh with something, and have the discipline to do it.

Taking college courses while still in HS is a great thing to, in my eyes.

3. Many departments, not mine of course, will pay more depending on your education.

Now 7 years after I started, I still trying to finish college and probably won't be done by the time my SGT's exam comes up. I'm one of the very, very few new guys hired who doesn't have a college degree.

Remember this is just my opinion and I work for a deparment where most Sgt's and above either have or are working on their masters... I would say get the degree. It can only help you.

I say go for it. I was 26 when I got hired, you've got plenty of time to get hired and do the job.

Good luck.

I have a masters in CJ Admin. To be honest if I had to do it over, I would do a buisness admin. That is what you need if you plan to command one day.

As for experiance before or after.... six of one, half a dozen of the other. Why not see if there is a part time slot at the college PD. This way you get both.

If I read your post correctly you'll have your associates degree when you graduate high school. I don't know of too many agencies that will hire someone straight out of high school to be a police officer. Many states have a requirement of police officer's having to be at least 21. So my suggestion is to finish your Bachelor degree then if you are still too young go for your Masters or get some life experience.