Question for women Leo's or guys...

[swtnis05]

I am 28 now and have a 3yr old girl. My husband and I are thinking of trying for #2. I recently was persiung a career as a LEO but we decided that if we are going to have another, now would be the time so I am going to hold off for now. How old is to old to begin a career as a LEO? Did you have kids pre or post academy? How was it having to go to the academy w/ kids? Also-just curious- If you already in the middle of the hiring process and you find out you are pregnant, do you have to tell them right away? Would you have to drop out of the process. Could they DQ you for being pregnant since you obviously would not be able to attend the academy-anytime soon anyway?? Im not PG yet, but just curious.

Thanks all....

[DeltaV]

The department won't necessarily DQ you if they find out that you're pregnant, but they will put your application on hold until a later date. In the event that you were already given a job offer when you found out, they'd probably hold you over until their next academy class...providing the eligibility list you were selected from didn't expire in the meantime. You're right about not being able to enter the academy while you're pregnant. It wouldn't be healthy for you or for the baby.

IMO, the academy and the FTO program would not be the time to be dealing with a new child. Both are very stressful and require most of your attention. Twenty-nine or 30 isn't too old to start a LE career.

[wild800]

I'm female, and was 33 years old when I started this job...I was married and had a teenaged son at the time. To your question of how it was to go to the academy with kids; I was very lucky in that my son was big enough to do alot of things for himself and both he and my husband helped me out by doing all of the household chores including cooking. I owe a lot to my husband, he has always supported me even though he didn't want me in this line of work.

I am all for women's rights, including the right to bear children (occasionally) and the right to have a reasonable accomodation in the work place while incapacitated by the dreaded belly disease. There are just too many reasons to state why I would not advise trying to start a career in law enforcement at the same time as you are adding to your family. p.s. Lest you think me a sexist, I also think men should refrain from the family additions during the first year or two on the job as well. If they can't I damn sure don't think they should ask for six weeks off right in the middle of FTO to bond with their kidlets.

It would be darn near impossible, not to mention unsafe for you and your fetus to get through six months of an academy and another 2-6 months of Field Training. In my not so humble opinion, if you choose to get pregnant while applying for a job, you are just wasting the Department's (and your own) time.

You aren't that old, why not pick one or the other to do now and then commence with the other later when things aren't so hectic?

[mcsap]

We hired a 38 yr old with NO prior experience.

As was said, having a young child/infant during the academy and or first year on the job will be a BIG handful.

[steelcityk9cop]

I know in our PD the probationary year is more than a handful and the bosses won't accept a whole lot if "I can't" when it comes to scheduling. My wife had to take a whole year off from her job my rookie year because she could not rely on me at all because of my schedule. Once over that hump however, family is easy! :D

[TX-LEO]

My department just hired a 55 year old guy. He's in good to really good physical condition however.

[qpd158]

I started this job at age 30, my wife was 30 as well when she got on. Age is not the factor you should consider.

If you are blessed enough to have another child, and you get hired on a year or so later, how will you feel, leaving your children at home when you have to leave for the Academy? Not sure how you can handle that, my wife, she has trouble leaving for a weekend, without missing our 3 year old. But each is different.

Good LUCK

[swtnis05]

Thanks everyone for the replies. We decided to definately go for #2. My husband is 10 yrs older than me (38) and he wants the kids to be 18 before he retires. He has been a LEO for the last 9 yrs and completely understands my concerns about going to the academy w/kids. He says he will be very supportive and has enough seniority to pick a shift that would work. On the other hand, I do not know if I would be able to handle leaving for the academy. The only way I would be able to do it is if they let you come home every night....the academy is only an hour away. Being a LEO is something I always wanted to do but my family is most important. I still have a couple apps. lingering out there but I do not plan on applying anymore for a least a few years.