Law enforcement career?

[NavyGuyMA3]

Hello...

I am currently enlisted in the US Navy... Master at Arms Third Class Petty Officer (E-4)

I have about 9 months left until I get out. I don't have any arrests, or an exorbitant amount of tickets, about 50 credits towards a criminal justice degree, I also have a secret security clearance and 4 years experience as a military police officer.

I was wondering what I should be doing to make myself the best candidate to get hired ASAP after I get out... I really would like to work for the Florida Highway Patrol. (or any state police for that matter) but I would be interested in anything available. (JSO, Georiga State Police, etc)

Any insider tips or information of any kind would be greatly appreciated...

also I found this online "passthepoliceexam.com as a study guide... does anyone know if this site is legit? I don't want to spend $47 online and get ripped off or my identity stolen.

Thanks again

[Legoate]

Completing an educational goal is always worthwhile. Why not try to finish your AA degree before you get out?

First thing you should do is get online to the websites for the agencies you are interested in and see what their minimum requirements are- then seek to greatly exceed them.

One of the most important things you can do at this point is stay out of trouble- make sure you separate with an honorable discharge from the military. Try not to get any more traffic tickets. And the big killers of police careers- definitely stay away from drunk driving or domestic violence.

I didn't go to the study guide site but my general advice is for you to find out what kind of testing the department you wish to apply to takes part in, then find out from their recruiter what they recommend you study. You can find books on civil service and police testing at most public libraries and it will be free.

Unfortunately there is no way to really get hired "ASAP" these days. The process for most departments was long and tedious when the economy was good. With the economy in the toilet agencies are hiring less and there are a lot more qualified candidates floating around trying to get the few positions that are left. Best of luck to you- if you really want to do it you'll keep at it and eventually be successful.

[Safety Steve]

You should google Texas Department of Public Safety! Were looking for a few good people.



Be Safe.

[retdetsgt]

Thanks for your service.

As Leogate stated, don't spend your money on a study guide yet. Some departments will tell you what you need to study before the test, but bear in mind that the test is mostly aptitude to see if you have the innate skills to be a police officer. Mine was memorization, some basic math, vocabulary, etc. The stuff you need to do a decent job.

You didn't say how many tickets you have nor what they are for. Tickets are a big deal with us. It's a demonstration of maturity (or lack of) and traffic wrecks take out more cops from the job than guns. We don't need people who drive with their heads up their respective @sses.

Local agencies aren't going to care about security clearances, but your military experience in general will come in handy. A lot of agencies give veterans points which will move you up the hiring list if you pass everything else.

Check websites of any department you are interested in. Nearly all give hiring information, but as said previously, it will take at least a few months to be hired by anyone.

[Joeyd6]

Getting hired now is going to be the hardest in years. While a few agencies are hiring, most are laying off. It will be hard if not close to impossible to go from one career to the other without a job in between.

[NavyGuyMA3]

Thanks again for the replies.

I realize it's going to be hard to get hired, especially right away, but I would imagine with a good test score and even just an associates degree I would be fairly high up on the list to be hired first.

Just to clarify about the tickets I only recieved 2 moving violations (that I can recall) .... both were for speeding, and they aren't anything crazy like 65 in a 30 (I don't remember the exact numbers). They also were about 5 years ago, before I joined the Navy and I haven't recieved any since (knock on wood )

When I get out the new G.I. Bill will pay me a monthly allowance as long as I am taking 9 credits at the time, plus I have some money saved up and very little debt so I don't have to be hired right out of the Navy but it would be nice to get the ball rolling at least.

Thank again

MA3

[Kimble]

MA3,

If you're looking to become a cop somewhere other than where you're serving in the Navy, omit what I'm about to suggest, but if you're looking for jobs where you are, why not look for part-time/reserve LEO jobs with departments in your area. These are often non-paid jobs, but can help in getting a full-time job once you have equivalent training under your belt and have shown your worth. Military police work is very different from civilian (not that your MA work will not be valuable, but it's not comparable), but getting some civilian LE experience may help to make the transition.

Even if you're looking to go elsewhere than where you're currently stationed, some states offer lateral training acceptance, so having a civilian police academy and experience (even if part-time) may help bolster your resume even further for being a civilian cop.

[NavyGuyMA3]

You should google Texas Department of Public Safety! Were looking for a few good people.



Be Safe.

I googled it like you said and it seems like I would really enjoy being a Trooper in Texas... but if I were to apply do you know how many trips I'd have to make to Texas during the hiring process? The website listed the steps in the application process but didn't say what is done on the same day or how many trips would be needed. In Florida it's 3... I'm assuming the same in Texas?

why not look for part-time/reserve LEO jobs with departments in your area. These are often non-paid jobs, but can help in getting a full-time job once you have equivalent training under your belt and have shown your worth.

I've thought of doing that as well... honestly I don't really care what state as long as I can be a Trooper... Nothing wrong with local police or deputies... I just want to be a Trooper. Then again, in these times I should take what I can get and I will do so if need be.

MA3

[retdetsgt]

I realize it's going to be hard to get hired, especially right away, but I would imagine with a good test score and even just an associates degree I would be fairly high up on the list to be hired first.

With the departments around here, the degree is or isn't a minimum qualification. In other words, they either require one or not and having one won't get you hired faster. If they require it, you get a box checked. If they don't, they don't care.

Oregon State Police goes strictly by test score and by that I mean written and oral score. Everything else is pass/no pass. In Oregon, you can use your regular veteran's points (5) one time.

If you can take some leave time, you might schedule some tests with various departments before you get out. A lot of departments will try to accommodate you by giving you tests out of order.

[NavyGuyMA3]

With the departments around here, the degree is or isn't a minimum qualification. In other words, they either require one or not and having one won't get you hired faster. If they require it, you get a box checked. If they don't, they don't care.

Hmmm that's an interesting point. From what I've read online most departments around here just have a minimum college credit requirement... 45 credits towards a degree or something similiar. They also combine that with military or prior law enforcement experience... so with 4 years military with an honorable discharge I might only need 15 credits or so.

I'm not married so to be honest I would consider moving (almost) anywhere if I could get hired as a Trooper... That's why I looked in to Texas DPS. I would apply to all 50 states if I could but I don't exactly have the money to fly to each state 3 or 4 times during the hiring process :/

If i get hired right away or if I don't, either way I plan on going back to college at least part time.

MA3

[Legoate]

You should google Texas Department of Public Safety!

TEXAS? Are you kidding. Texas is only known for two things.... steers and ........

Well.... wait a minute, maybe I was thinking of CA.

Carry on Texans.

[retdetsgt]

My last advice is to look beyond just who will hire you. Look at pay, benefits, cost of living and retirement. Those are all over the board throughout the USA.

In the excitement of job hunting, that may not seem all that important, but down the road it will be. I'm retired and making just over $67K in pension. Some of my brothers and sisters who put in just as much time and worked just as hard, if not harder than I did are retiring with half that. There are some retirees who make more than I do, but I'm comfortable and my future widow will be well taken care of too. But even though the work is more or less then same with most state police departments, the pay and benefits aren't.

Good luck in your search.

[NavyGuyMA3]

Yea the pay and benefits are a big factor too... FHP pay sucks. I'm going to apply to several departments to see what my options are. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office pays pretty well to start ($37,356 annually, reaching $56,388 after six years) which doesn't seem too bad for the cost of living around here... I just don't know if I would like being a JSO. Guess a ride along or two couldn't hurt.

Thanks again for the advice... I've got some work to do now

MA3

[Safety Steve]

TEXAS? Are you kidding. Texas is only known for two things.... steers and ........

Well.... wait a minute, maybe I was thinking of CA.

Carry on Texans.

LOL, we have both here also!


Be Safe.

[Safety Steve]

I googled it like you said and it seems like I would really enjoy being a Trooper in Texas... but if I were to apply do you know how many trips I'd have to make to Texas during the hiring process? The website listed the steps in the application process but didn't say what is done on the same day or how many trips would be needed. In Florida it's 3... I'm assuming the same in Texas?




I've thought of doing that as well... honestly I don't really care what state as long as I can be a Trooper... Nothing wrong with local police or deputies... I just want to be a Trooper. Then again, in these times I should take what I can get and I will do so if need be.

MA3

I would call a recruiter in Austin and ask them. Recruiting has changed so much in the last year I might not be able to give correct information. They usually work with people from out of state so you would not have to make so many trips.


Be Safe.