Considering a new career...need advice.

[Jackal]

Hey guys, I am about to turn 23, and I'm considering a career change. I have seriously been a full-time computer technician since I was 16, and while I love it, I also love the idea of pursuing a law enforcement career. I feel like, however, in order to do so I should have come from a long line of LEO, while in all actuality, the better part of my family hasn't amounted to much. I also feel like if I was really cut out for it, I would just go for it and not second guess myself. Please feel free to confirm this.

This may sound stupid, and trust me, I know there's a lot more to law enforcement than these things, but I have always been into tactical items and survival gear such as high end pocket knives, rifles, handguns, etc. In fact I'm very much into Glocks at the moment, and imagine I will be interested in these things till the end. I also activly keep watch of my neighborhood and have run off / caught criminals in my area on several occasions both with, and without LEO assistance. All I know about law enforcement is the crap you see on TV / movies, and my real life experiences though. I hate to mention this too, as I know there is no cartain type of officer, but everyone tells me they imagine me as a cop, and that I have all the traits of one, and that I should "go for it".

Again, I feel really uncomfortable with this question as I feel like if I were meant to do law enforcement, I would already be doing it, but please, I am here to get the best opinions I can, so be straight with me. ;)

Here is the big question, what part of law enforcement would best suit me? I know that we all have to start out on the bottom and work our way up, but I am very much an 8 - 4 kind of guy. Though I feel it is just as dangerious and important as any other part of law enforcement, I don't believe I'd find much pleasure in being a traffic officer or the like. I would also like to be able to use my computer skills as part of my job as an officer. I'm sure all SWAT, detective, & specialty positions all start out as "traffic officers" don't they?

Also, how do you handle situations where you're "off duty" and you're around "mildly" illegal activity when you're around family / friends? Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your time.

[Charlie]

Jackal--Well, here's what I think about your situation and I'll try to answer/comment about what you're asking about:

* One does NOT have to come from a long line of LEO's in order to become one. To my knowledge, there isn't anyone else in my family who was a LEO before me either. I think I am the first! And yes, there are LEO families out there where being a LEO is seemingly a family tradition. Havng someone who is a LEO in the family is not a requirement to become a LEO.

* I would recommend that you see if there is a "Ride-a-Long" program in your area at one of the PD's. Basically what this program does is allow civilians to ride with officers as observers. So, you'd get an up close and personal view of what it is all about first hand. Plus, it will likely give you the opportunity to ask the officer a lot of those questions you might have about the job. I think comparably, there are a lot of things that go on with the profession in real life that is VASTLY different than what the Hollywood TV shows portray!!!

* If you want to get into law enforcement and THINK you're going to work 8-4, forget it!!!:rolleyes:

* Typically---when someone gets out of the academy they are assigned to what is commonly referred to (at least around here) as the "patrol division." This is where you really apply all that 'stuff' you've learned in the academy and start earning your "street degree." The Patrol Division is the "backbone" of any department. You deal with ANYTHING and EVERYTHING imaginable. I think one could hardly refer to this as the "bottom." Patrol officers work their a$$ off out there and have my utmost respect!

* Traditionally, everyone is assigned to patrol for a couple of years in medium to larger departments. (Unless you work for a small agency that does not have the luxury of having separate specialized divisions. Then, you are pretty much nothing but patrol, period!);) After you doa few years in patrol, then you should be able to apply for more specialized duties such as SWAT, Detective/CID, Traffic, IAD, etc. (Traffic is a specialization too and there is a lot more to this type of specialization than you might think!) Traditionally, at most law enforcement agencies, this is how it generally works.

* "Mildly Illegal Activities" and what do I do while off duty? DEPENDING UPON THE OVERALL CIR***STANCES AND SITUATION AT HAND along with a common sense & good judgment--Sometimes I ignore it and go about my business OR, sometimes it is best to be a "good witness", pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1. Often times it is best to let the uniformed officers handle it so there is no mistaking identity and needlessly exposing friends/family to potential dangers. BUT, sometimes while off duty and under certain, often extreme situations, one may have to get involved. Off duty situations can be extremely dangerous due to a number of factors such as (but not limited to): no immediate back up if dealing with multiple offenders, no immediate access to communications, you're not in uniform -- potential confusion of your identity by both bad guys and responding good guy uniformed officers or, are you in or out of your jurisdiction? Just to name a few factors that must be considered.

* I'd suggest that you go for it! Contact the agencies you are interested in working for to find out their qualifications and if you meet them. And, since you are apparently computer savy, THAT will be to yur advantage! Computer-related crimes are becoming more and more of a serious problem that LEO's everywhere are dealing with.

Again, go for it! I am certain others who may respond to your post will tell you the same. Good luck!

Charlie

[Jackal]

Thanks a lot man!!! I'll see what everyone else has to say as well.

[Stump]

*Just curious - if you have "been a full-time computer tech" since you were 16, did you graduate from high school? I don't want to ASSume that you only meant that you have been working with computers a lot since you were 16, because who knows, you may have dropped out of high school to get a job.
*Just like Charlile, nobody in my family is in LE. There is no logical reason that you should feel like that, but I understand why you do.
*A big part of LE is knowing how to deal with people also (a big second is report writing). I don't want to sound discouraging, but working with computers all the time doesn't really allow you social interaction with other people. Do you have any other jobs/volunteer opportunities that can showcase your social skills? If you apply to a dept, you can show that you know how to interact. Knowing about weaponry is helpful though. I highly recommend doing ride-a-longs with as many different departments as you can. That way, you can see the differences in the way depts handle things. Contrary to what you may hear, you will not be issued a gun to "back up" the officer, etc.... You can ask a lot of questions (we all know how men love to talk about themselves! ;) )
* Don't even think that you will be getting the 8-4 shift as a PO. You must be available to work all shifts, and you will be at the bottom of the request list. You also work holidays and weekends.
*RealPolice can tell you about being a traffic cop - that is what he does now. All of our LE positions that are specialized start out as patrolmen. We do have a few crime technicians who are civilians though.
*Off duty illegal activities... everyone reacts differently. I get drug tested, so if someone is doing drugs around me, I leave. I just tell them that I get drug tested and can't afford to lose my job. If someone is stealing/carrying an illegal weapon, well, it all depends on your moral obligation. Like I said, everyone reacts differently.
*What part would suit you, huh? Well, honestly, it doesn't sound like you want to work the streets. I get the impression that you want to be in an office, have a badge and gun, and only go out for the "good" stuff. Not that it is a bad thing, but maybe a cop isn't for you. Did you look at any of the federal level jobs? Like Charlie said, a lot of places are cracking down on internet/computer crimes. It sounds to me that the FBI or Secret Service, or even maybe the State level would fit more to your desires.

[Jackal]

I had to transfer schools early my Jr. year. I was then let go on an unofficial release from school so I could work for them full-time while they still gave me a full 4.0 for my Jr. / Sr. years. (They couldn't offer me the advanced classes I had been taking before I transferred.) I only did that my Jr. year, then I left them to work for the company which supplied them with their computers, etc. I then bacame a field technician for them for about 3 years where I developed my socoal skills. I'm also active on over 20 forums and use to work the gun / knife shows every weekend dealing with lots of people. I am now with a school district and I'm responsible for some of the most important buildings, so I'd say I have to be pretty social there too. ;) Good advice Stump, thank you for your time.

[Solego]

You're either gonna really love or really hate it. And even if you really love it, there will be times when you really hate it.

PSST...I teach at the academy for the first time tomorrow under the evalutation of the academy commander, and I'm teaching the class of "Dealing with Mental Retardation in the Community" I needs a lot 'o' luck. :P

[Jackal]

Hey guys, it's been almost a year and I am still possibly considering some type of computer related law enforcement...state, local, etc. Any suggestions? I have no idea if there is a place for what I do in the field, but would like to look into it more if you have any tips, thanks!!!

[metallicat]

Wow, I thought my eyes were gone when it said October 28th...anyways, I think the advice you have gotten so far is excellent. Now you just have to make up your own mind. It seems that the reservations you have about the job may cause some problems for you, but if you want to be a police officer you are going to have to forget about them.

I don't think anyone can make this decision for you. Perhaps attend a information seminar if your local departments have one to see what goes on from their point of view. Ride-alongs are also good I believe for getting a feel.

[Island_Girl]

Wow! A whole year since we've heard from you!!!!

If you haven't taken any of the advice given so far, perhaps you should start considering a move in that direction. The sooner you start taking strides to get there, the sooner you'll be on your way. What have you done for the last year? Anything to move you in the LE direction?

Along with the advice given by Charlie (very thorough), I would suggest you find an officer that could be somewhat of a mentor to you. If you do a couple of ride-alongs, you'll have gotten yourself off to a good start and possibly meet that mentor.

Good luck!

[EricTheBald]

Dude...

You wanna be a cop? Then be a cop.
If you like it, great.
If you don't like it after a few years, quit.


You have an entire life ahead of you and certainly have enough time to experiment with careers.

[0pusX]

jackal, if i were you i would consider Federal Law Enforcement. CIA, FBI, those agencies would LOVE your prior computer experience. The only problem with working with State, County or Local Police Agencies is that 99.999% of the time you have to start as a patrol officer which means working afternnon or midnight shift including holidays.

Im not 100% sure but to get into the Feds you will most likely need a Bachelor's degree in any of several fields.

Good luck and I too think you should go for it.

[Jackal]

Hehehe...just been showing up and putting in my 8 hours a day...keeping my eyes open for a better IT related opportunity. Must have something to do with the time of year, always happens just after summer. I haven't done anything LEO related. I have many interests, including guns, knives, trucks, high-end car audio, motocross, and the list goes on and on. I figure my best bet for making a career out of any of them would be to stick with computers somehow as my resume would be blank otherwise. Only way I can think to change it up toward something I am more interested in would be to apply it to some type of law enforcement. Maybe I'm way off...I just think it'd be nice to make a difference and change up the life style a little. I am really bored with computers all together otherwise.

[Jackal]

Thanks for the advice guys, I guess I have two options...stick with computers, try to find a better job that will help put me through college and make the move over to the network side of things or become an officer and eventually try to apply my already aquired computer knowledge to further myself in that field.

Can large city patrol officers clear 40K / yr. plus? ;)

Thanks for all your help guys...and gals. ;)

[Jcrazy]

If this is what you want then go for it. All the talking and dreaming in the world will not help you if you don't take the time to apply some where. I say go for it if it is what you want. Also, follow the advice of going on some ride-alongs. You will get a good idea weather this is for you or not by doing this. Good luck.

[sgtbear111]

If your interests are with computers and you know the salaries paid in the industry, LE may be disppointing financially. If you want to be a cop, the money issue will not be a barrier. Also police work isnt about exotic guns, knives, etc. On a cop's salary, some financial limits appear on getting another new toy.

Have you considered furthering your education in computers, then applying to a private security firm as an investigator ? Some large private security agencies contract out their investigative services, other larger firms hire investigators in-house. Perhaps someone on this forum, who is employed in the private security sector, could provide you with some better details.