Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi guys,

I've been getting calls from an NYPD recruiter because I know Czech--one of the languages the department has a need for.

I was wondering if anyone knew how this skill would figure into the every-day job. My guess is that I'd be put on impact, and be called in to help out when the police are involved with someone who speaks that language. Is that the case?

The recruiting officer said the skill could get me into investigations or intelligence faster--that I might be assisting them as a regular PO and, as a result, have a better chance of making detective. Is this how it tends to work, or is this just a great carrot to wave in front of someone thinking of applying?

Impact and patrol appeal to me quite a bit, but I would hope to get into investigations at some point. Would selective certification help me get to that point?

Thanks a lot for helping me out with this. I'm fully aware that most of these answers depend on the individual cop, the specific needs for that language, etc, but if you have anything to say on the issue, I'd love to hear it.

(Also, will it help with overtime?)

Little of both. You will end up working Impact and they will call on you as need during the first 12 months out of the academy. If they like you, and still need you, you can end up as a PO in the Intelligence Division. What they have you do from that point will greatly depend on if you are set on the detective path, where after 18 months as a PO you get your detective shield, or as an endless assignment there as just a police officer.

There are no guarantees in the NYPD and nothing is promised on paper.

Joey,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it. I'm getting a clearer picture of what the language job entails; it sounds good.

Not the answer you wanted but its the NYPD. If they need you, you will do some cool things. If not, you will be a pawn and be a translator for detectives. but still have normal advancement opportunity (boss).

To be honest that sounds better than I expected.