Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello,
Let me start by introducing myself as am new to this site! My name is Jordan.

I turn here with few questions, and well I am rather puzzled on a few things and on what to do. So here is my story and questions!

Right now I am currently a Student at the University of Kentucky pursing a Biology/Pharmacy Degree, however I have come to find that the whole chemistry doesnt seem to be my cup of tea. Even with this degree I wanted to do hopefully get into the DEA. Well ive always been interested in law enforcement, and turned my attention to Criminal Justice. Next semester I plan to start taking classes at a Community College for Criminal Justice then get into Bowling Green State University in Ohio and be part of their Criminal justice program. Possibly go on to get my masters in CJ. However there are a few things bugging me/in the back of my mind

-Will there be jobs in 4-6 years in the field?

-I know i wont make as much starting out as i would be a pharmacist, but by being a PO/sheriff, DEA, FBI or CIA agent what is the pay scale like?

-Starting out as say a pharmacist, i can make upwards of $80k a year, where would i start out with a CJ degree? how long will it take me to be making good $$? what is the most i can make/how long will it take?
Its not that I am totally worried about money, but i want to like my career (and im sure i will in the field of CJ) but i also want a nice living outside of that career, not having to live paycheck to paycheck, afford nice things and beable to pay off my school debt!

Any and all help/info is appreciated!

Thanks,
Jordan

Hello,
Let me start by introducing myself as am new to this site! My name is Jordan.

I turn here with few questions, and well I am rather puzzled on a few things and on what to do. So here is my story and questions!

Right now I am currently a Student at the University of Kentucky pursing a Biology/Pharmacy Degree, however I have come to find that the whole chemistry doesnt seem to be my cup of tea. Even with this degree I wanted to do hopefully get into the DEA. Well ive always been interested in law enforcement, and turned my attention to Criminal Justice. Next semester I plan to start taking classes at a Community College for Criminal Justice then get into Bowling Green State University in Ohio and be part of their Criminal justice program. Possibly go on to get my masters in CJ. However there are a few things bugging me/in the back of my mind

-Will there be jobs in 4-6 years in the field?

-I know i wont make as much starting out as i would be a pharmacist, but by being a PO/sheriff, DEA, FBI or CIA agent what is the pay scale like?

-Starting out as say a pharmacist, i can make upwards of $80k a year, where would i start out with a CJ degree? how long will it take me to be making good $$? what is the most i can make/how long will it take?
Its not that I am totally worried about money, but i want to like my career (and im sure i will in the field of CJ) but i also want a nice living outside of that career, not having to live paycheck to paycheck, afford nice things and be able to pay off my school debt!

Any and all help/info is appreciated!

Thanks,
Jordan

Hi Jordon, welcome to RP.

First, search this site, as many of your questions have already been answered on previous threads.

Second, it sounds as though you are ambivalent about changing majors because of your concerns regarding pay. You should never take a job just for the amount of money you will make. Money, does not equal happiness, as much as we would like to believe. Especially, when it comes to careers. And when it comes to a career in LE, money should not be your deciding factor.

I am curious as to why all of a sudden you feel as though LE is the career for you? I do not mean to be insulting, but what are you basing your conclusions on? If it's from TV shows or movies, then you will be very disappointed when you get on the job as most LE work (if done correctly) is boring.

If,however, you have always wanted to do this as you have stated, then why the change in major? As you can find in the myriad of threads on this topic, a degree in CJ may not be the best choice. You may be better of staying in your current major or, if you are really not into it, change to another non CJ major. This will not prohibit you from obtaining employment in LE, in fact, it may help you. Plus, in case you do not make it in LE you have something else to fall back on. And since you are concerned with repaying your school debt (and frankly, who isn't?) this would be a wise decision.

As for pay scales, that information can be found on the internet, either on USAjobs or the agency's websites.

Just food for thought. Good luck.

The deciding factor is and never would be based on TV or anything like that, although I enjoy watching shows that pertain to LE. My consideration for changing majors is that even if did biology/pharmacy major, i still wanted to do DEA, but felt that maybe a degree in CJ would open up the same door, if not many more in the LE fields. I have come to find that chemistry is not my "thing" and that why struggle through 4 to 8 years of getting a biology degree/pharmacy degree, when i could switch and have something that interests me more?

I do not want it to see like i am money hungry, I understand CJ/LE is not the career to make alot of moeny super fast, but also understand people can and do make a good living in the large variety of Fields in CJ/LE...However aside for all this is being able to pay off my loans as anyone would be worried about, and be able to support myself, and one day a family (which is a LONG way downt he road, but still)

The deciding factor is and never would be based on TV or anything like that, although I enjoy watching shows that pertain to LE. My consideration for changing majors is that even if did biology/pharmacy major, i still wanted to do DEA, but felt that maybe a degree in CJ would open up the same door, if not many more in the LE fields. I have come to find that chemistry is not my "thing" and that why struggle through 4 to 8 years of getting a biology degree/pharmacy degree, when i could switch and have something that interests me more?

I do not want it to see like i am money hungry, I understand CJ/LE is not the career to make alot of moeny super fast, but also understand people can and do make a good living in the large variety of Fields in CJ/LE...However aside for all this is being able to pay off my loans as anyone would be worried about, and be able to support myself, and one day a family (which is a LONG way downt he road, but still)

Well that's good about not using tv or movies as your inspiration, you would be surprised at how many people think that's what its like day to day. BTW, I do not want to misrepresent myself as being an LEO. I'm not, but I know people who are and this is what they say.

If you are truly unhappy in your current major and do not think that it's for you, then by all means change it. No point in struggling to get a degree that you are not fully vested in. My point is that CJ is not the only degree you can have that will lead to a career in LE. And that being well rounded will help you if LE does not work out. However, if that is what you want to do, then do it.

Very true. This is why I came here, for some advice/guidence on what the best route to go would be. Would i like to beable to do the bio/Pharmacy degree? Yes i would, but i cannot and will not struggle through it, and spend 4 years of my life hating it...especially when that major has a very strict schedule.

Thank you for your opininon/advice so far... looking to hear from others also! anything can help me at this point!

Very true. This is why I came here, for some advice/guidence on what the best route to go would be. Would i like to beable to do the bio/Pharmacy degree? Yes i would, but i cannot and will not struggle through it, and spend 4 years of my life hating it...especially when that major has a very strict schedule.

Thank you for your opininon/advice so far... looking to hear from others also! anything can help me at this point!

I wanted to be a meteorologist. Damn math!!

No problem, I'm sure others will chime in as well.

Haha, I am hoping others will chime in! Going to have to make my decision soon!

To answer the specific questions you asked:

I'm not Miss Cleo, but I have a good feeling that there will still be a need for law enforcement in 4-6 years. Right now, the economy isn't doing well and a lot of jurisdictions have hiring freezes in place. You may have more luck finding a law enforcement job in 4-6 years, versus now.

Money-wise, it varies depending on location, duties, etc. Cost of living is lower in some areas, higher in others. I've seen starting patrol officer salaries in the mid $20's, to the mid $50's. Federal investigative agencies seem to offer a bit more to start, but they also expect more to start -- experience and/or a bachelor's degree at a minimum. Too many variables to adequately answer the question.

I'm going to reiterate a bit of what Jennifer has said already.

Figure out what you want to do in law enforcement. You need not answer these questions here, for us, but you need to answer them for yourself. Do you want to be running from call to call in busy city, or cruising a 200 square mile patrol district as the lone deputy sheriff working? Do you want to work traffic as a Highway Patrol Trooper? Do you want to do investigations, and if so, what type?

Why do you want to be in law enforcement? Why do you want to work for Agency X? (And you can be sure any agency will ask you, "Why us?")

What will you do if you get a year into the job, become ill or injured, and are unable to work in law enforcement any more? Will you be able to live off of that fall-back plan? Will you enjoy it?

In choosing another major, look at the agencies you want to work for, and see what their hiring requirements are. If a degree in underwater basketweaving will qualify you just as much as a degree in astrophysics... do what you enjoy, what will benefit you more in the long term (both career progression and fall-back), and what you can do well in.

Now, I'm not saying do a BS major just to pull a straight 4.0. I am saying that if you will struggle to pass every other class you take in your astrophyics major and graduate with a pathetic GPA, and you're never going to use any astrophysics in your job ... you might want to reconsider.

Conversely, if you look at your desired agency, and they flat out require a degree in astrophysics... well, knuckle down, Spaceman Spiff.

One more thing: Be flexible. I attended three different colleges, with four different declared majors, before getting my bachelor's degree. At one point, I dropped out of college entirely. I walked away from a potentially promising career one place, to pursue another more lucrative career elsewhere, that I then realized I couldn't stand, and then left that to pay my own way through a LE academy. I moved half-way across the country to do that, and now am looking at going to not just my fall-back, but my secondary fall-back, because of an injury.

Do some soul-searching, figure out where you want to be and why you want to be there, and then figure out what you have to do to get there. Even if you take the most backwards, convoluted, drawn-out path, if it gets you where you need to be... well, as they say, it ain't a stupid idea if it works.

To help you out with a few things you mentioned:

I plan on coming out with ATLEAST a Bachelors degree in something. What do i want to do in LE you ask? Well i wouldnt mind patorling, taking calls whatever comes, especially if the pay is decent. Also i wouldnt mind being a police detective, FBI agent, ATF agent or DEA agent. More so I would LOVE to do some type of tatical team within one of those. However with a criminal justice degree, i dont know about a fall back plan, other then maybe being a lawyer, which requires law school.

Quiet honestly, if possible getting out of college with a degree (whatever it is in, lets just say CJ for now) i was hoping to find a job somewhere starting out around 60k a year with the possibility to advance to a higher pay after a few years! I mean this is a big decision, and am looking for a little guidence!

Thanks so far!

anyone else? all help/knowledge is appreciated!!

-Will there be jobs in 4-6 years in the field?

Yes.

-I know i wont make as much starting out as i would be a pharmacist, but by being a PO/sheriff, DEA, FBI or CIA agent what is the pay scale like?

Dependent on locality.

-Starting out as say a pharmacist, i can make upwards of $80k a year, where would i start out with a CJ degree? how long will it take me to be making good $$?

Dependent on locality.

what is the most i can make/how long will it take?

Dependent on locality.

Its not that I am totally worried about money, but i want to like my career (and im sure i will in the field of CJ) but i also want a nice living outside of that career, not having to live paycheck to paycheck, afford nice things and beable to pay off my school debt!

Don't we all.

Any and all help/info is appreciated!

Thanks,
Jordan

Jordan, from your post, it sounds like salary is a major consideration of yours. If so, please know that in most cases, law enforcement is an underpaid and backloaded profession. You will likely not 'top out' for between 8-20 years (depending on locality).

Also don't take this wrong, but are you a US citizen? Some of the word choices in your post lead me to believe english is not your first language. Please know that most LE agencies require US citizenship for employment.

Good luck.

Yes i am a U.S citizen. Currently I am at the University of Kentucky studying Biology/Pharmacy. I am Ohio born and raised.

As far as the pay goes, doing LE I know I will not start out making anything close to six figures, nor will it happen in a few years. The MAIN reason, i have focused on what the pay is like both starting out and after a few years is because i would really like to get any school loans I have paid off as soon as possible. I know alot of the pay depends on location, I was hoping for a rough idea, of what you can start out as (different locations from different people) and what you can be making in say 3 to 6 years (again different locations from different people)

Yes i am a U.S citizen. Currently I am at the University of Kentucky studying Biology/Pharmacy. I am Ohio born and raised.

As far as the pay goes, doing LE I know I will not start out making anything close to six figures, nor will it happen in a few years. The MAIN reason, i have focused on what the pay is like both starting out and after a few years is because i would really like to get any school loans I have paid off as soon as possible. I know alot of the pay depends on location, I was hoping for a rough idea, of what you can start out as (different locations from different people) and what you can be making in say 3 to 6 years (again different locations from different people)

If you are looking for anything close to six figures... at ALL... there are very few of the larger local LE Agencies that pay that after several years on the job... at least legitimately or without 2nd (outside) employment.

Sounds like you need to go Federal in a High cost of Living area to me... Hawaii, San Francisco.... or more lilkely, just become a politician and shill for the Lobbyists... to come into the 6 figure range.

If I believed you were a more serious candidate for LE, I'd clue you in to the fallacies of CRJ degrees, but IMHO, you apparently believe that $ grows on trees in the LEO working world and you've done very little research on the matter. Deny as you will, it appears that your LE dream is not very much reality based.

At my "retired from" agency, one of the largest Sheriff's Offices in SC, a Patrol guy with a lot of years on is doing well to be making $20 per hour, = $41,600 a year.

Don't believe the salary guide at Jobs.com. I've seen them report average salaries in LE as high as %45 over actual possibility, and I believe most of the other "job" shilling sites are just as bad.

I am not, nor will I deny that I am not concerned with income. I am, but its not the entire picture, nor the biggest deciding factor! I am not looking to bash anyone, or anything... Nor be bashed by asking these questions, i was simply looking for a little insight as to real world cases are!

Like I said, i know doing LE will not bring the money Pharmacy would. I was just looking for a bit of a comparison as to where this career leads from starting out to after several years. Mainly from people in the career.

Thanks

I am not, nor will I deny that I am not concerned with income. I am, but its not the entire picture, nor the biggest deciding factor! I am not looking to bash anyone, or anything... Nor be bashed by asking these questions, i was simply looking for a little insight as to real world cases are!

...

Son, if you think or even feel as though you've been bashed here, you are in for a rude awakening IRL.

You want to take a cherry, you take the whole cherry, pit and all.:skep:

Politically Correct Kabuki Theater, Law Enforcement isn't. :bigear:

I dont feel as I am being bashed, I was just simply stating that is not my intention and I didnt want anyone to take it that way!

Wanting to know pay scales for police departments, google them. Most PD's have a web-site and their pay scale. Keep in mind that places like NYPD, Austin PD, and San Francisco PD will pay extremely higher than others only due to the cost of living in those cities. Why not get the Pharmacy degree, become a Reserve Officer (weekend warrior, also to see if you really want this) and make go from there. You will make the money as a Pharmacist and be able to pay off that school loan. Think outside the box, you can have it all. You can be a legal drug dealer during the week and arresting other drug dealers on the weekend :thumbsup:! Be Safe.

That is good advice, however I have come to the conclusion that the whole science/chemistry aspect is not for me at all! Ive always been a good student and tried hard, but thats just something i dont want to get myself into ha.

So I am transfering to start CJ classes this spring at a Community College, then transfering to another University next fall for the actual CJ program/major (BGSU) since the currrent school i am at (university of kentucky) doesnt offer it. If i decided I do not like CJ (which i dont know why i wouldnt) my fall back majors are Economics, Business, or somet type of Administration (but who knows i may even do one of these and still get into some type of LE!)

That is good advice, however I have come to the conclusion that the whole science/chemistry aspect is not for me at all! Ive always been a good student and tried hard, but thats just something i dont want to get myself into ha.

So I am transfering to start CJ classes this spring at a Community College, then transfering to another University next fall for the actual CJ program/major (BGSU) since the currrent school i am at (university of kentucky) doesnt offer it. If i decided I do not like CJ (which i dont know why i wouldnt) my fall back majors are Economics, Business, or somet type of Administration (but who knows i may even do one of these and still get into some type of LE!)

I think thats what I would do, if I had it to do over again. Many more options than CJ, and includes CJ.

IMHO & experience, CJ is a very narrow, even a "specialty" degree as far as other opportunities go.

so if you could do it over again you would do business? how could CJ/LE be tied into that? i am atleast going to give CJ/some CJ classes a shot, see if its for me. But i have also been considering doing law, maybe go be a lawyer and maybe a judge, however they might not be in much demand down the road! ive been considering ALOT of options, not sure what route im going to go, but i know i am atleast going to give CJ a shot! i feel its all i can really do haha

so if you could do it over again you would do business? how could CJ/LE be tied into that? i am atleast going to give CJ/some CJ classes a shot, see if its for me. But i have also been considering doing law, maybe go be a lawyer and maybe a judge, however they might not be in much demand down the road! ive been considering ALOT of options, not sure what route im going to go, but i know i am atleast going to give CJ a shot! i feel its all i can really do haha

Getting a job in LE is not tied explicitly to CJ. You can have a degree in Business and be hired as a LEO. You cannot have a degree in CJ and be hired (easily or with no experience) in business.

I'm not trying to discourage you from a LEO job, but you should realize the limitations of a CJ degree and not believe the sudden scholastic hype of CJ related degrees in the interest of making $. There is no screening process involved in most higher learning schools regarding CJ, so the guy beside you learning Crime Scene Procedures may well be an Ex-Con.

Additionally, should you obtain a CJ degree, then discover later that you are unable to work as a LEO for whatever reason (injury, aptitude, family) your four year education may well have been for near nought.

Anything you need to know in LE is taught to you in the Police Academies and on the Job.

Hmm you make some very good points!

As stated earlier, sure id like a decent paying, stable job so that I can pay off my school loans and have a decent living. The idea of a fall back plan is always reassuring. I do understand that CJ is a narrow field and honestly I am not totally sure what direction id want to go in that field, preatty much anything would work from me (DEA, FBI, LEO)

Like I also said though I have been considering:
Administartion (business, healthcare, justice)
Law (lawyer/judicial,etc..)
Economics,etc..
Business

If you are interested in CJ go ahead and take the classes, hell get the degree, but don’t do it for money and don’t do it because you think it will make you a better candidate for a Police Officer job. Any degree is better than no degree. I’m working on my CJ degree because I’m interested in it and have spent the majority of my adult life working in the field. I’m not doing because I want to become a cop, I did that with a high school diploma. If you want to teach, or do non Police Officer work in the criminal justice system there are jobs where the CJ degree is desirable, but not in the areas you are looking at.

Well I dont think I would be a better cop than anyone else out there! I am interested in CJ and that sort of thing, always have been! However ive always been decent and math, and good in business (took some classes in highschool). Ive also been interested in sports and i know I would like to possible have the chance to help people. (mainly my reasoning for stating the above major ideas)

however, ive really been considering FBI/DEA/Homeland security, or LEO type career if it comes my way. But as stated, I guess there isnt ALOT to fall back on with a CJ career.