From Green to Blue.

[Tech]

I am curenty in the army and I hope to be given the chance to be a cop when I get out. Theres a problem though. Im currently going through my second tour in Iraq. Ive been doing some research on the application process and it seems to be a lengthy process and you can not be certain if you will even be picked up. When I get back to the states in febuary or march I will only have about 5 months left to complete my conract. From what I can tell it will be impossible to apply while Im over here. Please correct me if Im wrong. Is 5 months enough time to get all this done? It also seems like I would have to complete the whole process with every department I apply for so will I have to put all my eggs in one basket? Also please be honest if you think this will be near impossible. I have a family to support so I really cant afford to waste any time with my transition.

[BikePatrol85]

Most police departments have a fairly lenghty hiring process you are right. 5 months will definately be pushing it. I would start applying as soon as you hit the states. Personally I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket and I would apply at several places. The process in noramally spread out over time based on the departments hiring needs.

You may have to take another job in the interm. I was in the same boat minus the Iraq part when I left the Army. I had to work close to a year in a non-law enforcement job.

[Tech]

Is there any part of the process I could go ahead and start?

[Piggy]

Are you with a military police unit by chance? Or do you have a four year degree?

[BikePatrol85]

You might be able to do something online. Some places have an online application, but most don't. At least that is my understanding of it. Even if you do apply online, the next step is normally a written test which you will have to be present to take. You are most probably in a holding pattern for now. Don't sweat it though, use this time to shop around and figure out where you want to work. Don't limit yourself though.

[Tech]

Thats a negative on both.

[P01IC3M4N]

Thats a negative on both.

some smaller agency would probably pick you up in two months. i can think of several that pay well too. bigger agencies like dallas and LA offer the entire process in a week to accomodate out of town applicants.

[Piggy]

You may want to consider federal police jobs. They have a nationwide posting right now for the Pentagon Police, hiring for a position in Adams Co, PA. It's one of the best paying agencies in the uniformed federal system. If you go federal you can also buy your military time toward retirement.

There are plenty of other agencies hiring though, all over the US. If you are looking for uniformed federal police jobs, go to www.usajobs.opm.gov Click on 'search jobs' and then click the tab for 'series search'. Type in the number 0083 for the series and this will give you the list of federal police jobs.

It may not be the type of Law Enforcement / Police job you are looking for, but you can always ask questions about individual jobs on the board here.

[Valor55]

First thing most places do is a written test. You can't do anything else until you pass the written test. No way you can do that until you are stateside.

When you get here start sending applications and do as much as you can. Some places who are hiring lots of people quickly might be able to get you in 5 months but it is doubtfull. If you are progressing through the process and aren't done yet when you separate go ahead and get a job doing retail or something to help pay the bills in the meantime.

No department will look down on you for working at Home Depot because you separated from the military and are waiting for the application process to finish. It would actually be a sign of maturity that you are willing to do whatever it takes to pay the bills instead of loafing around mom and dad's house.

[sgtbear111]

Look at places you would like to live, and work, and what you would like to do. With State and Federal agencies, you may have to serve in a less desirable locale until transfer lists are open to you. State, County (Sheriffs), City PD, Campus, Port-Authority, Wildlife, Parks, Liquor Enforcement, Gambling, etc are some of the agencies that exist in most states.

After finding some locales that appeal to you, apply to the agencies in that area. It was said here before, not all your eggs (hopes) in one basket. Most of us have been turned down a few times, but stay with it, be flexible, and you should get considered. If you have decided on one department, if they are not hiring for sworn positions, consider applying for a non-sworn spot until you can apply for a sworn position. You will get to know the dept and they will get to know you. Agencies that recruit out of state applicants often have a condensed application process where all phases may be completed in one trip.

In the meantime, work experience counts. A responsible job in any capacity will add skills to your tool-box. Police officers come from the community and bring prior skills to the job. Sort of like the Army. Getting a degree is a real plus, and you may want to put college into your plans.

There is a wide regional variance in state and local agencies when it comes to pay, benefits, retirement, disability, etc. Some agencies provide a take-home car, which is a great deal, but you are subject to call-out 24/7. If you go for the higher salaries, consider the offset in cost of living in that area. Some places like Seattle, Silicon Valley, or San Francisco you start in the housing market at about a half million.

Look around, do your research, keep notes of what you find, and track the progress of each applicaton you send out.

Good luck and thanks for serving our country.

[Mike Romeo]

Be patient as possible with the hiring process. It took me 8 months from the time I dropped my application to the date I was officially on the payroll.

[mcsap]

The hiring process is a lot more than the app. It includes the background, the physical , the physicalagility and written tests, pysch test and the oral interview. Most of this cannot be done from out of state.

It wouldn;t hurt to start applying and see what happens though.

FYI, Adams County PA is near Gettysburg. Very LOW cost of living in the area. I live about 30 miles from there.

[michiganstud]

In michigan going from green to blue is a great thing!!


Green = MSU
Blue = UM


:D

[mcsap]

PSU is BLUE !!!!