Police Jobs
RealPolice Forums
Police Gear
Police Agencies

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Horoxix is offline Junior Member Horoxix is on a distinguished road
    Join Date
    Oct 30th, 2009
    Posts
    2

    Post Looking into Law Enforcement

    Hello, This is my first post on the forum. I luckily stumbled upon it while I was looking into information about law enforcement careers.

    I was just wondering if you could give me some pointers or some information on where I should go from here, or what my chances would be.

    I recently have decided that I might want to get into law enforcement and I would love to go to college and maybe get my Bachelors in Criminal Justice. I was simply wondering where I should start out? I am only 19 years old, Male, and want to start my life in this direction. I have never been arrested, Never had a DUI or any traffic violations other than maybe one speeding ticket.

    Are police or federal agency jobs looking good right now in the economy? I've just begun researching it and would like to know what you guys would suggest?

  2. #2
    Piggy's Avatar
    Piggy is offline Trained Assassin Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute
    Verified LEO
    Join Date
    Aug 1st, 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    4,461
    Most important, maintain the clean record.

    I suggest getting a Bachelors Degree, but not necessarily in criminal justice. There are quite a few threads on here about why you shouldn't get a criminal justice degree. But without a doubt, get at least a Bachelors Degree. You may also consider going into the Coast Guard, or any other branch of the military. Hang out here for a while, talk to some recruiters, see what you can pick up that interests you. Law Enforcement is a huge field with many specialties.
    One Big Ass Mistake America

  3. #3
    Horoxix is offline Junior Member Horoxix is on a distinguished road
    Join Date
    Oct 30th, 2009
    Posts
    2
    Would you have any other degree suggestions?
    My ideal job would be something along the lines of detective work / investigation.
    Maybe a Psychology degree?

  4. #4
    phantasm is offline Veteran Member phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute phantasm has a reputation beyond repute
    Verified LEO
    Join Date
    Jul 7th, 2004
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    5,817
    Quote Originally Posted by Horoxix View Post
    Would you have any other degree suggestions?
    My ideal job would be something along the lines of detective work / investigation.
    Maybe a Psychology degree?
    A psychology degree is a great idea, mainly because it leaves the options open to other types of employment (post law enforcement, or if LE doesn't work it for whatever reason).
    DONLON
    I mean, we're getting killed for these people and they don't even appreciate it. They think it's a big joke.

    Interesting Info

    An education in debating

    It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

  5. #5
    CCBlueMan's Avatar
    CCBlueMan is offline Enter witty comment here. CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute CCBlueMan has a reputation beyond repute
    Verified LEO
    Join Date
    Oct 28th, 2006
    Location
    Doesn't matter- I'm wearing camoflauge, you can't see me anyway.
    Posts
    826
    Check with some of the local departments in your area and see what their requirements are for new hires. Not all of them require a degree. That being said, a degree can still be very helpful!!!! A military background can also give you a foot in the door.

    The route you take all depends on your end goal. If you want to be a detective like you said, then yes, I would get a degree.

    Whatever you decide, good luck and keep your nose clean!


    Actual conversation with suspect
    Suspect: Why am I under arrest?
    Me: For posession of CDS.
    Suspect: Man, it wasn't CDS! It was E pills!

    If at first you don't succeed. . .don't try skydiving!

    Note: Any laws I quote or mention pertain to the state of Maryland unless noted otherwise.

  6. #6
    Piggy's Avatar
    Piggy is offline Trained Assassin Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute Piggy has a reputation beyond repute
    Verified LEO
    Join Date
    Aug 1st, 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    4,461

    +1, Psychology is a good one.

    You could also go for some Intel related degree, or even something in the computer field. It would be just as good as any other degree, plus you could always have something to fall back on if you decide law enforcement isn't the field you thought it was.

    Congrats too, this is the first normal post we've had on ask-a-cop for a while. Everyone else wants to know how to get out of tickets or get away with some other crime.
    One Big Ass Mistake America

  7. #7
    BP348's Avatar
    BP348 is offline always trust your dog BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute BP348 has a reputation beyond repute
    Verified LEO
    Join Date
    Jan 2nd, 2006
    Location
    1000 miles West of Norm
    Posts
    4,861
    Accounting & Computer science are good degrees as well.

    However I don't fall into that school of thought of "get a degree in anything other then CJ because you might not make it in CJ". If CJ is what you are interested in the get a degree in CJ. You can worry about getting that other job when or if it happens.

    This is my rant, Law Enforcement agencies do not care what your degree is in so you have a choice. Me? I think you should pick the degree that you will do the best in. What your degree is in dosen't matter but you GPA will. It's pretty hard to finish a degree but it's almost impossible to finish a degree in a subject you hate.

    If you get a degree in Computers but work as an officer for 10 years and get hurt. Do you think your computer degree is still current or has the computer world changes a bunch since your last class? Are you any better off with a 10 year old computer degree over a 10 year old CJ degree? I don't think so but that's me & I'm a minority around here.



    Here is my advice;

    1) Keep the clean record
    2) No Drug use or DUI's
    3) Steady employment - dosen't matter where just don't jump from job to job.
    4) Get a degree
    5) Think about the military (hint: military takes care of 1 -3 & even 4 if you play it right)
    Wrong door, buddy

  8. This ad will disappear if you login

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts