n00b question about ACT 120 cert...

[Ven]

Ok, so Im a 23/swm thats just been kind of drifitng through life~ working here and there, taking classes here and there as I could afford to (which is more difficult than I thought paying out of my pockets... 52 hour weeks really arent condusive to good grades either :( ).

Anyways, Ive been strongly considering the old childhood dream of becoming a Police Officer. Ive looked around on the Internet for possible ways of doing this.... I dont have enough credits for State Trooper (I have 24, which is far short of the 60 req)... so I thought I'd try to get the 2 yrs experience waiver (This is PA Im posting from btw) BUT 98% of the available open jobs Ive seen require this ACT 120 cert...

So the question is what is it, and how can I get one? And If/When I manage to get one is this a tough field to break into? Specifically I live in Lancaster county area... but my GF just got a job up in Allentown~ so either area would be wonderful.

First time ever I saw an ad in yesterdays paper for a municipal police station taking apps that dont require the ACT 120.... but the application is going to end up costing me $25 (and as a 23yr old student thats not cheap) which Ive pretty much convinced myself into going out and getting today... and unless there is strong discouragement I'll cough up the money and cut some corners on my next grocery bill ;-)

Any comments or advice would be most welcome!

[steelcityk9cop]

Unfortunatly the trend in Pa seems to be the Act 120 requirement prior to application. Departments save money this way over having to pay you to sit through the academy training. My department requres Act 120 plus 60 credits or 5 years full time experiance. The important thing is getting your foot in the door.

[Ven]

Ok.. but how/where does one get ACT 120 certified... is that the same thing as a Police Officer Certificate? For example I live blocks away from HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College) and they offer a Police Officer Certificate that is about 2 semesters long~ but no where does it say or mention anything about ACT 120....?

[mcsap]

If you qaulify , you can attend the municipal police academy at HACC full time which costs something like 3 grand and it would be difficult to work a job AND go to the academy. Plus, you can only go if there is an opening.

OR , you can go part time which takes approx ONE YEAR to complete but it would allow to to continue working to live on.

With ACT 120 , you will be a MUCH more desirable commodity. Without it, you are just another applicant that some departments don't want to risk the $$ on.

ANd , BTW, keep an eye on the bulletin board just outside of the small cafeteria at the Public Safety Center. There are PD jobs advertised there all of the time.

[Norm357]

What the hell is ACT 120?

[mcsap]

ACT 120 is the PA required certification that a person MUST possess in order to be a police officer in PA . Consider it like POST certification.

[Norm357]

Thanks Sarge!

[mcsap]

Anytime Normy.