A question about becoming a police officer

[Zohar]

I am currently attending college and will likely get a masters degree in something other then law enforcement. I was contemplating becoming a police officer after graduating but wasn't sure if I would stand a chance because I did not choose to major (or minor) in law enforcement. Do I have a chance of being hired? (this isn't for a few years anyway, but I'm curious)
Thanks!

[gijoeyl33]

remeber, most police dont even have a college requirement and ones that do usually only have a 2 yr prereq. your masters COULD make you competitive for a federal LE job. but in a nutshell a CJ major is not all thats looked for

I am currently attending college and will likely get a masters degree in something other then law enforcement. I was contemplating becoming a police officer after graduating but wasn't sure if I would stand a chance because I did not choose to major (or minor) in law enforcement. Do I have a chance of being hired? (this isn't for a few years anyway, but I'm curious)
Thanks!

[Zohar]

I've always had a minor intrested in becoming a police officer but I never really thought about it until recently. I've always wanted to give back to the community in some way (I'm going to school to be a history teacher) but I'm also thinking that perhaps becoming an officer would be a better solution for me. If you guys don't mind, could you tell me a little bit about becoming an officer? Thank you in advance, I appreciate the time you are taking to answer my questions :D .

[gijoeyl33]

although i am not an officer right now. i am pretty knowledgable on the process. most positions will include a written test, one if not two interviews, a background investigation, a medical physical, phych test, and for some positions a polygraph examination. most jobs check for good credit, a good moral and sober character, and stable working conditions. (I.E. not have 12 different jobs in a 2 year period). some hiring processes can take as little as 3 months and some as many as two or three years. some get denied a few times before being hired by someone else, this especially if you try for the federal sector. you may also want to ask people on the 911hotjobs forum board. www.911hotjobs.com there you will find someone online that works for just about every agency there is. you have to figure out where and what kind of LE work you would like to be doing, and also look at your background (convictions, drug use ect) to make sure you arent wasting your time and thought. in other words ensure you arent disqualified for some reason. eyesight, medical conditions and so fourth

[greenlead]

remeber, most police dont even have a college requirement and ones that do usually only have a 2 yr prereq. your masters COULD make you competitive for a federal LE job. but in a nutshell a CJ major is not all thats looked for

More and more departments are requiring degrees. It goes along with the positive public image portion of community policing. They want you to prove that you are willing to buckle down and study.

Go for a degree in something that you enjoy, but not necessarily CJ. I will be getting a degree in computer science, possibly Information Systems Security.

[gijoeyl33]

you're right, but very few require a bachelors or more.

More and more departments are requiring degrees. It goes along with the positive public image portion of community policing. They want you to prove that you are willing to buckle down and study.

Go for a degree in something that you enjoy, but not necessarily CJ. I will be getting a degree in computer science, possibly Information Systems Security.

[metallicat]

I am currently attending college and will likely get a masters degree in something other then law enforcement. I was contemplating becoming a police officer after graduating but wasn't sure if I would stand a chance because I did not choose to major (or minor) in law enforcement. Do I have a chance of being hired? (this isn't for a few years anyway, but I'm curious)
Thanks!

While I URGE you to listen to what actual police officers have to say, I will say that taking something other than criminal justice would be a good plan. Why not have something to fall back on in case the police doesn't pan out? Keep in mind that schooling is not the only thing that will decide whether or not you get hired.

[gijoeyl33]

well put and very true

While I URGE you to listen to what actual police officers have to say, I will say that taking something other than criminal justice would be a good plan. Why not have something to fall back on in case the police doesn't pan out? Keep in mind that schooling is not the only thing that will decide whether or not you get hired.

[razdaz]

I have a B.B.A. in Business Computers Informations Systems, no minor, and I am currently in a regional police academy, in which I am actually employed by a local P.D. who is currently putting me through the academy.

My degree was just one factor among many that the department considered. It surely didn't hurt, that's for sure.

[Zohar]

I was just wondering, what kind of hours do police officers work? Is it a normal 8-hour day for 40 hours a week or is it more? Also, is the schedule of a police officer fairly consistant or does it shift around somewhat randomly (one day you're working 7:00A.M. to 3:00P.M. and the next 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.)?

[cecilVA]

The often quoted answer, "Depends on the Department"

All departments do shift work and as a rookie you will be working pretty much any and all of them. Typical work week is 40 hours, either five, four or three days depending on how they work it out. And you will work overtime above the 40 hours, thats pretty much guaranteed.