Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi everyone,

First I wanted to say hello. I am a new member on this board and I'm looking forward to getting involved here.

Currently I'm living in Seminole County, though I grew up in Orlando.
I am seeking some advice on applying to local agencies so, thanks in advance for your patience and advice. :)

Some background on me...

When I was a teenager (maybe around 17 or 18) I was involved in the Explorers at OPD. I LOVED it and wanted to pursue a career in LE.
At 19 I self sponsored through the academy in Osceola County (it was the Criminal Justice Academy of Osceola back then, not sure if it is still around or not). I was excited because I thought ok, the minimum age is 19, I'll self sponsor and get certified, and there I go.
I did well in the academy but the reality of life hit me after that. I was so young, no college, no military experience... what did I really have to offer? Not surprisingly (in hindsight) I got nowhere real quick when applying to agencies. Speaking for myself (not to offend any members here that may be around 19 or 20 years old), in hindsight I can honestly say I was no where near ready at 19 years of age to be a LEO. Sure I thought I was mature, but really I was only a few years removed from some of the really dumb things that 16 year old kids do. I hadn't really lived life, didn't really understand what maturity and responsibility was, etc.

So at 20 years old I enlisted in the Marine Corps. Wow, did my beloved Corps ever straighten me out and help me grow into the person I am today!! I served in active duty, got out, and came back to Central Florida. By then my certification had expired. I went to work in IT, did some traveling, got married blah blah blah and here I am at 35 years of age.

I don't have a bachelor degree yet, but I will finish my AA in December. Being 35 years old, a veteran (honorable discharge), soon to have an AA degree, no criminal past (just the usual 15 or 16 year old stuff like sure I tried marijuana at a party once when I was a sophmore in high school)... what do you think my chances are of being an attractive candidate to some of the local agencies in Central Florida?

Would it be necessary to self sponsor at VCC's academy, or would you imagine I am marketable enough to obtain sponsorship?

Thanks again for reading my post and offering up your advice!

First, let me thank you for your service!

Yes you would be a viable candidate, although you know that there are thousands who feel the same way. Education is good ; military is a plus and frankly I think at 35 you're probably more marketable than a 21 year old.

I'm curious, if you were once certified, does Fl. offer a refresher course rather than having to complete the entire academy?

Thanks for the reply, pac!

It's funny, but at 35 I feel like I would be much more successful and effective than when I was 19 and going through the academy. I looked at some old pictures from back then and wow, I can't imagine that young man being a law enforcement officer.

Yes, Florida does have a program for refreshing the cert but I do not qualify. It's intended for those that have a four year break in service and want to get back into uniform. I was never hired and sworn and it has been 15 years since I completed the academy.

So I guess I'll get to savor that recruit experience one more time! :)

I applied today to a Central Florida agency that I am interested in. We'll see what they think, and ultimately we'll see if I have to self sponsor or if they are willing to sponsor me.

Thanks again for your reply!

Same area here.

Every department I can think of in the area requires a 4 year degree for sponsorship. My dept. has only made exceptions to that if you worked for them for a few years in a civilian position before going swown, then they will sponsor you.

You're probably going to have to sponsor yourself through to get a job here. Some places are hiring, some are not. Some places have done layoffs, so you will probably compete for positions with people who have job experience. It is competative out here.

Your GI Bill should cover it though. I went through VCC and a few of my classmates used their GI Bills to cover the costs.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the reply, cntryboy.

Yeah I think I am pretty much expecting to self sponsor. Of course I would hope to be sponsored but I'm realistic and know those odds aren't in my favor.

I've asked around and I've heard that VCC is pretty much the gold standard in this area. I've heard the PT is tough, coursework is challenging and overall the VCC academy is pretty demanding. That's definitely the academy I want to go to and I plan on utilizing my GI Bill benefits.

I'm wondering, maybe you have some insight into this question. Let's go ahead and assume that I have to self sponsor. Would the agencies in this area process my app (and dare I say possibly offer a conditional) contingent on the successful completion of the next academy, or are they more likely to basically tell me "thanks for the interest, come back and let us know when you've finished the academy and we'll continue to process your application"?

I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's a waste of time to launch apps now (even though I launched one last night) before I can get into an academy class.

Thanks again for your feedback!

Launch it. Nothing ventured is nothing gained! I was in the middle of a 144 hour Reserve Class when the local SO approached me about a job. They hired me and ended up paying for the rest of the academy. I came out smelling like a rose.:). Be Safe.

Fair point, Steve.

I guess the worst they can say is to apply again after completing the academy.

Thanks for the reply!

Most agencies require you to at least be enrolled in the academy before they will accept your application. Either check the websites or call the personnel departments of the agencies you're interested in and ask them what their requirements are.

As Cntryboy mentioned, things are tight pretty much everywhere. Most of the agencies that aren't looking at layoffs are looking at either hiring or salary freezes (or both). Experienced officers who have been laid off are applying at agencies that are still hiring, and educated and experienced people in the private sector who have lost their jobs are also applying along with the increasing amount of people leaving the military. In short, it's not the best time to try to get a job in law enforcement (or anywhere else for that matter).

You sound like you'd be a competitive candidate, however that all depends on the competition that you're up against.

Thanks for the reply, DeltaV.

These days finding employment anywhere (law enforcement or not) is a challenge. Tons of qualified and competitive applicants are out there, so I can really appreciate your comments. I agree, being a competitive candidate is a relative idea and all really depends on the other candidates that one faces on that particular day.

I'm approaching it knowing that there may very well be some other candidates that may have an edge over me (such as prior LE experience), however there are some candidates that I will have the edge over. I think that's as realistic as one can be.

All I can do right now is do my absolute best to make myself as marketable as I can be and do the best I can at the academy and in any interviews I get.

I'm off to the academy orientation next week, and if all goes well should be in the January academy (not sure the state of the wait list for the class).

Thanks again for your reply!

Thanks for the reply, cntryboy.

Yeah I think I am pretty much expecting to self sponsor. Of course I would hope to be sponsored but I'm realistic and know those odds aren't in my favor.

I've asked around and I've heard that VCC is pretty much the gold standard in this area. I've heard the PT is tough, coursework is challenging and overall the VCC academy is pretty demanding. That's definitely the academy I want to go to and I plan on utilizing my GI Bill benefits.

I'm wondering, maybe you have some insight into this question. Let's go ahead and assume that I have to self sponsor. Would the agencies in this area process my app (and dare I say possibly offer a conditional) contingent on the successful completion of the next academy, or are they more likely to basically tell me "thanks for the interest, come back and let us know when you've finished the academy and we'll continue to process your application"?

I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's a waste of time to launch apps now (even though I launched one last night) before I can get into an academy class.

Thanks again for your feedback!

They are tough. I was running 3-5 miles a day, every morning in the academy, calestenics thrown in as well during the run. It was hell. Probably over half of the PT/DT instructors were former marines, and quite a few spent time as DI's. Yelling, screaming, running until you puke (happened to a few people). We actually had a couple guys that recently left the Marines and were put in the "fat kids group" to run, I was in the same group. It was rough.

For me, some did accept my application, some wouldn't. If you don't mind a small relocation, Polk County S.O. has openings for 32 Deputies because of a federal grant, and need to get them filled ASAP per the conditions in the grant. You may want to take a look at them. As for others in the area, some may or may not process your application until you complete. Winter Garden PD started mine before I graduated. I actually got my conditional offer from my current employer a few days before getting one from Winter Garden. If I had went to Winter Garden, I'd be making about 10 grand more than what I am making now. But I have MUCH more room to play where I am at now.