Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I've been lurking for a little while around these forums. I've a ton of great information. Hopefully you can help me out a bit.
I'm self-sponsoring myself through the academy this spring. I will be graduating June 25. I really want to work in Tallahassee (or Leon County). I spoke with a recruiter from TPD and they're going to be hiring in July. I'm also going to apply with LCSO (yet I haven't heard if they are hiring or not). I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket (or two baskets). There are a few other agencies that appeal to me. I was wondering if I should just apply to a couple agencies, or apply to all the agencies I like.
I figure if I only apply to a couple now in Jan., it could be May, June or even July when I find out I didn't get hired. Then it could be another few months before getting hired somewhere else.

Sorry for the long post, but thank you in advance.

May wanna introduce yourself first. Either way, Welcome to RP.

Right when I left the Army I went to Kinko's and printed out 300 copies of my resume. I then mailed them to 300 depts in Texas, Georgia, and Florida.

In the meantime, I started the local community college academy.:eek:

Got about 20 or so replies back with an application, filled them out and shipped them off.

Tested for 10, was hired at one agency on my second test for them. :)

All told, I started in March 88, was hired finally in Jan of 89.

One. I wasn't even sure I wanted the job when I applied.

I applied to one and was hired by them. Yes, its very unusual, but I had made a name for myself in the academy. In fact, one of my defensive tactics instructors was my LT when I started. Most of the instructors throughout the academy worked for the agency that I applied for, and one of them even sat on my oral board.

Having gone through FL self-sponsorship, I can tell you that you will be looked at by every agency in the area. Word gets around about your performance and aptitude. Apply at every agency you are interested in. Just be sure to list ALL of the agencies on your application when asked.

One. I wasn't even sure I wanted the job when I applied.

Same here. Each step of the process, I wanted it more, though.

About 6 or 7 over nearly 2 years. Got TWO offers on the same day !!

I was in your same shoes and at the same academy. What I did was when I graduated, I took a drive around the state and picked up an application from all the departments I was interested in. I hit Jacksonville SO, Tampa PD, Hillsborough County SO, Orlando PD, Orange County SO, and further south. Last I saw there are 28 agencies in Broward County, and 30 plus agencies in Miami Dade County. Every single department save 1 called me back for an interview. As a certified applicant your a much sexier candidate to the recuiters.

Also, there will be recruiters who will be coming to your academy to recruit. I know a guy who was picked up by Kissimmee PD a few years back when they went to his academy class to recruit.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for the replies. A lot of varied answers but all helpful in their own way. I think I might apply to my top 3 and then see how it goes. I just looked at the Kissimmee website. Not too sure, seems like decent pay for a population of only 65k. Might look into them closer when/if they come up to recruit.
I'll also be graduating college when I finish the academy. I really don't want to spend a year after graduation looking for a job. Hopefully me being a "sexier candidate" will help out lol.

I applied to two state agencies after college. I was hired by one while completing the testing process for the other. Some may call it luck, I just say I was that good. :D