POST 832 pc and firearms

[Slthspy5]

Hello, My name is Jennifer and I am a 37 year old female pursuing a career in law enforcement. Well actually private investigation, but unfortunetly I live in California where there is very strict licensing laws. If you don't mind lending the advice, I have a few questions!

First let me say that I am a criminal jusctice major at a local community college (I am a single parent raising two teen-age daughters). I have a BSIS guard card, in good standing of course, and I also hold certificates with POST for 832 pc and firearms. I currently work security and plain clothes loss prevention.

With the POST basic peace officer certificate, am I able to join a law enforcement association? Am I able to register for additional training in the law enforcement field? Can I purchase equipment exclusive to peace officers?

And finally, what is my best option in furthering my education and seeking employment with a police department while I finish my college degree? My concern is my age and lack of prior employment within the field! I would love to hear all ideas and tips. I am very driven when it comes to my future and continuing my education!

Thanks!

Jen

[corporal716]

Simply holding a PC 832 certificate will not allow you to participate in any additional training restricted to peace officers or buy equipment. I am also not aware of any peace officer associations that would allow you to join. With that said often there are classes put on by privet trainers who may allow you to participate in their course.

As far as continuing education, if I were you I’d look at attending the Basic Academy. That will get you closer to your goal than any other training. If you do want to become a peace officer change your major to something that will help you get promoted. An AJ degree is repetitive.

[manahmanah]

I may be mistaken, but a POST basic is not the same as a CA POST certified academy certificate. Having a POST 832 PC certification is not the same as having your basic POST cert. Just because you have your academy certificate does not mean you have your POST basic. In order to get your POST basic, you have to have at least one year full time work as a CA peace officer. I may be wrong, but I believe that is how it is. I did not get my basic POST cert. till I was a deputy for one full year.

With that being said, since you have your 832 PC, it shows you have the initiative to do things on your own and are willing to put work in. If you have a good background, I would advise you to just put apps in to different agencies and see what they say. Times are tough right now, and I know a lot of agencies are NOT putting recruits through the academy because of the economy. You may or may not have an advantage since you have your 832.

BTW...what part of Cali are you in?

[Slthspy5]

Thanks for the info guys! Iam really on the fence about attending the academy. I do know that If I take L3 I have enough to go reserve. I feel pretty stongly that without some peace officer experience my chances of getting into a detective agency are pretty slim.

My background is perfect, I have never been in any type of trouble or had a problem with drugs or alcohol. Many of my professor's are police officer's in the city where I live, and teach for the academy as well. I live in Northern California. The City of Concord had 5 recruits and only picked up 2 due to budget cuts. However the City of Oakland had 37 recruits and picked tham all up. I'm just finding that at my age it's much harder to get your foot in the door with only limited college and a few certificates!!

Regardless of what my future holds, I have so much respect for the officers out there every day keeping our children and streets safe! Keep up the good work and thanks for the help!!

[Curt581]

Why did you have to make the type size four times bigger and pink?

Do you have any idea how hard that is to read?

[Creeker]

Hello, My name is Jennifer and I am a 37 year old female pursuing a career in law enforcement. Well actually private investigation, but unfortunetly I live in California where there is very strict licensing laws. ...

As a Cop who retired after 23 years and spent a year being bored out of my mind until I agreed to work as a PI with a former co-worker, I can tell you that PI work and law enforcement aren't really very related.

Granted, you get to follow people and do some undercover secretive stuff, but your not going to be allowed to do much of what actual LEO's do.

I don't PI anymore because I got tired of doing things like watching a house for 3 days to discover if Sadie Mae left it to drive to church on Sunday, because the insurance company was told she couldn't drive... only to discover that there was an error in the Courthouse records about her DL... so the Insurance Company refused to pay up for months... among other frustrations and freakishness.