older applicant

[truenorth12]

Not sure I am doing this right. I am interested in a law enforcement career and I have a diversified para law enforcement background but not actual police work. My issue is that I am a 48-year old female and wondering how realistically I would be sellable to a police agency?

I am currently entering into a physical fitness program that will put me in the best physical shape of my life and this will probably take more then a year to accomplish. I plan to qualify in small arms at the gun range and learn conversational Spanish; and do the police study guides. I have an AA degree in police science and have been a casino security supervisor, managing 14 employees and the safety of guests and other employees. I did this for 14 years. Stress is nothing new to me.

I have strong people skills, writing skills and leadership ability. I have worked an armed security position in Lake Tahoe, assisting local police agencies. I have worked security in the forest service (paid and volunteer) which required strenuous hiking in the mountains. I have done body bag searches in the forested areas for a missing person who was the victim of foul play. I currently work for a marine research lab doing homeland security. I have been in the Naval Reserves so I have 4 years of military service. I have proven longevity at my jobs.

I have never taken drugs: I do not drink alcohol. My credit history is above reproach and my background is clean. If I improve my physical fitness to the academy level and acquire needed police skills from many sources, including as a police volunteer - would my application look attractive to law enforcement agencies, regardless of my age? I would most likely be 50 by the time I am ready to apply. I am interested in doing 20 years towards retirement and specializing in other areas after the patrol obligation is done.

Thank you for your time.

[retdetsgt]

A lot of depts have upper age limits, but not all. My old dept, Portland Oregon police bureau would consider you. The problem is you won't have a lot of time to build up a lot of retirement. If you want to know more, PM me.

But in a nutshell, if you find a dept that doesn't have the upper limit, you would be considered.

[APDSarge]

You would not be the oldest that I have heard of in the academy. Your credentials and experience would probably be beneficial.

[ChesCopPodz]

The issue wouldn't be with getting in, as retdetsgt said the issue would be with retirement. I've seen a lot of older recruits (our last class had a 47 year old and mine had a 38 year old). They made it through fine. Their problem is with the fact that we have to go 25 years until full retirement so that presents a problem. You would either have to work until you are 73 to get a full retirement, or work fewer years to retire younger but only get a portion of your retirement.

[retdetsgt]

The issue wouldn't be with getting in, as retdetsgt said the issue would be with retirement. I've seen a lot of older recruits (our last class had a 47 year old and mine had a 38 year old). They made it through fine. Their problem is with the fact that we have to go 25 years until full retirement so that presents a problem. You would either have to work until you are 73 to get a full retirement, or work fewer years to retire younger but only get a portion of your retirement.

Our minimum retirement age is 55 with less than 25 years on. Our retirement is based on years service. Minimum retirement age with 25 years is 50. However, you are vested after 5 years. So if you work for 6 years, quit at 35 years old, you will still get a small retirement based on the 6 years, but you don't draw it until age 55.

[truenorth12]

The issue wouldn't be with getting in, as retdetsgt said the issue would be with retirement. I've seen a lot of older recruits (our last class had a 47 year old and mine had a 38 year old). They made it through fine. Their problem is with the fact that we have to go 25 years until full retirement so that presents a problem. You would either have to work until you are 73 to get a full retirement, or work fewer years to retire younger but only get a portion of your retirement.

Thanks for your reply. I have found police agencies that tell me I can do 20 years. By the time I am ready to apply, and if I were to be hired, that would put me at early 70 after 20 years. I live in an older retirement area on the pacific coast and I see many 70 plus individuals jogging for miles and in better health then people decades younger so I am reminded that everything is relevant and there are those who are capable of sustaining high physical standards well into their senior years. It is a matter of finding a police dept that will allow me the full 20 years and getting grandfathered in (no pun intended). Thanks again for your input.

[mcsap]

Not to throw a wet blanket on your party but if you are NOT in shape , are in your late 40's and " have a plan that will take a year for you to get in shape", I am rather suspicious of the plan and it's chances of success.

With most if not all PD's , you will have to take and pass a physical agility test the same time as the written. So are you now going to wait another year ( 49 +) to start testing ?

49 isn't too old but you will never hit full retirement and may or may not even qualify for a limited retirement.

We require at least 12 yrs to vest your pension but you would have to hit the 25 year mark ( 49 + 25 ) which would mean age 74 is when you would start to receive your partial pension with us.

Consider very seriously your motives, your goals and your abilities before making such an extreme decision.

[retdetsgt]

We require at least 12 yrs to vest your pension but you would have to hit the 25 year mark ( 49 + 25 ) which would mean age 74 is when you would start to receive your partial pension with us.

I think they're all different state to state and in some cases, agency to agency. We used to have to have 20 years to be be vested, but now it's only 5 years. We have a lot of people who retired from the military and came on in their early 40's. I doubt any will wait until they reach full retirement (30 years).

I could have passed our physical agility test at 50, but that doesn't mean I would want to work the street at that age.

[truenorth12]

A lot of depts have upper age limits, but not all. My old dept, Portland Oregon police bureau would consider you. The problem is you won't have a lot of time to build up a lot of retirement. If you want to know more, PM me.

But in a nutshell, if you find a dept that doesn't have the upper limit, you would be considered.

Would like to know more. Are you still in law enforcement? Is the posted photo My little buddy your shih tzu? I have one also but markings are black and white and he takes over the ottoman too.

As for police retirement, even a vested but shorter one can be worthwhile and I could still experience the law enforcement field. I am reminded of that officer mentioned on another blog site that went into the Oxnard Police Academy at 51 and did very well. He had to invest time in getting into peak condition and plans to do 20 years. It will be a difficult road at my age but I am going to invest in myself and see if I can make it happen.

[steelcityk9cop]

The issue wouldn't be with getting in, as retdetsgt said the issue would be with retirement. I've seen a lot of older recruits (our last class had a 47 year old and mine had a 38 year old). They made it through fine. Their problem is with the fact that we have to go 25 years until full retirement so that presents a problem. You would either have to work until you are 73 to get a full retirement, or work fewer years to retire younger but only get a portion of your retirement.

We have a few guys facing this problem.... our contract says you gotta go at 65.... problem is they won't have enough time for a "full pension" before they have to retire.

[steelcityk9cop]

As for police retirement, even a vested but shorter one can be worthwhile and I could still experience the law enforcement field.

You have to be careful here.... most police pension plans will allow you to vest and collect a reduced pension..... However, most pension plans will not pay out your vested amounts until you would have been eligible for retirement f you would have stayed (could be 25 years) Check with departments in your area.

[CTUCop]

My PD has a 20 and out retirement. I joined late in life- 41 years old. I have to say, I hope I'm a LT soon because even as a patrol sgt, I can't picture myself doing patrol much after 55 or so. And seeing as I'm 53 now, my clock is ticking by fast.

Too much damage to the body over the years and I can't do what I did as a 22 year old Marine (or even a 35 year old soldier) anymore.

[truenorth12]

My PD has a 20 and out retirement. I joined late in life- 41 years old. I have to say, I hope I'm a LT soon because even as a patrol sgt, I can't picture myself doing patrol much after 55 or so. And seeing as I'm 53 now, my clock is ticking by fast.

Too much damage to the body over the years and I can't do what I did as a 22 year old Marine (or even a 35 year old soldier) anymore.

Your an inspiration to have done this at 41, which is still young and prime of life but has to take more guts to get into the game. I have been looking at all avenues of law enforcement: Alaska state corrections has no maximum retirement age or minimum start age.....and only a 6 week academy. They even offer shifts of one week on and one week off. I am not sure corrections is for me but some minimum security prisons are more like a college atmosphere to work in as you are dealing with a non violent inmate population getting ready to integrate back into society. I am defienity looking my options over and even if I am allowed to do a 20 year retirement with a police/sheriff's dept - there are many ways to support that retirement pension with other types of retirement savings and investments so I am staying positive. I wouldn't want to be a patro, officer any longer then is required. Good luck with your promotion. You'll get it.

[TX-LEO]

Clean backgrounds are in demand. Your age is really not that big of an issue if you can do the job.