Do you need any kind of experience becoming a P.O?

[larude]

I'm18 and a undergraduate in college I'm going for my masters in CJ and Psychology, and I want to become a Probation Officer (Probation Field Agent) meaning I want to be in the field working as a P.O. I didn't know there were different types of P.O's and one is just basically working in offices as a Pre Sentence Investigator and the other like I've said before is doing field work (serving warrants, visiting suspects home, job and etc.)

In order to be a Field Agent would I have to have experience as a Pre Sentence Investigator? Or would I be able to go on and apply as a field agent when I graduate from college?

Also, in the future I want to be apart of a Federal Agency so am I heading the right way?

Thanks Guys!

[retdetsgt]

A degree in psychology would be fine. They'll teach you how to be a P.O.

[Kimble]

If only someone had taken the time and imagination to write a thorough post on what one needs to do to pursue being a cop...

...oh wait: http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=29514

[larude]

Didn't know they were the same..

[Kimble]

Didn't know they were the same..

A police officer and a probation officer are not the same in regard to duties, but a lot of the hiring steps mirror each other, especially for PO positions that are recognized by their state as law enforcment officers (or peace officers). Few differences may exist from one agency to another, or from law enforcement and probation/parole, but a lot is the same thing as far as testing, interviews, background investigations, etc.

[larude]

A police officer and a probation officer are not the same in regard to duties, but a lot of the hiring steps mirror each other, especially for PO positions that are recognized by their state as law enforcment officers (or peace officers). Few differences may exist from one agency to another, or from law enforcement and probation/parole, but a lot is the same thing as far as testing, interviews, background investigations, etc.

Thanks ROS..
So it isn't harder to become a Police Officer (that's what someone told me.):eek:

[Kimble]

Thanks ROS..
So it isn't harder to become a Police Officer (that's what someone told me.):eek:

Apples and oranges. Probably depends on where you apply, what the competition brings to the table, what you bring to the table, how much they are hiring when you apply, etc.

Some probation and parole agencies require prior work in corrections or social work to qualify (for example, this is often the requirement to be a federal PO, though the hiring standards vary from one office to another). Others hire people who recently graduated with a CJ degree and no prior CJ work experience. On the other hand, some PD's tend to only hire experienced cops from other departments because they have so many applicants they don't have to hire those without experience.

Best bet: apply any and everywhere you're interested in.