Can private security employment harm my chances to becoming a Police Officer?

[Shawn Gossman]

I have been told by some former police officers that many departments look down on people who have been employed by private security companies and try to become officers. However, I know a few officers who startedout doing security.

I was wondering if security at all can hurt my chances to becoming a cop? I may also soon be getting into retail loss prevention where I would be more "tactical hands on" with stopping and detaining shoplifters, would that also have any effect to me becoming a cop?

Thank you in advance!

[BP348]

Simple answer is NO it will not hurt your chances of becoming a police officer. On the other hand don't expect it to help either.

[Shawn Gossman]

That stinks, I was hoping at least some of the experience would help me out. I mean I understand that security is NOT law enforcement, its more of business than law because most of the time. But its cool that it wont stop me from getting a cop job. Thanks for the reply

[mcsap]

It COULD hurt if one while employed as a security guard attempted to act or did act above and beyond his/her statuatory authority as a police officer.

[pac201]

It COULD hurt if one while employed as a security guard attempted to act or did act above and beyond his/her statuatory authority as a police officer.

This ^^^ is extremely important to remember.

[Kimble]

It COULD hurt if one while employed as a security guard attempted to act or did act above and beyond his/her statuatory authority as a police officer.

Precisely. If you work for a professional company and do your job within the limits of the law (i.e. not trying to play cop and arrest people or make traffic stops with your amber lights) it won't hurt you. Won't give you any extra brownie points in the application process as any other non-LE job, but won't hurt you either.

[Piggy]

If you do any job right, make a good name for yourself, and don't tick the wrong people off it will do nothing but help your career. If you have to write up reports in your job, I suggest doing the best possible job at those. If you have to turn one of your reports over to law enforcement, it's a way to make a good name for yourself. It is also good practice.

[icu650]

No it will not hurt your chances of becoming a Police Officer. However, you must listen to the other posts about thinking or acting out as a certified Police Officer when you not. Be careful of you attitude in the academy. Don't sit around and tell the other trainees that you did all this and you know all about it. YOU DON'T.

I wanted to be a cop all my life. I joined the the explorer post we had locally and learned.
I applied for Store Detective at seventeen and got the job. They later went to all uniform guards.
I got another job as Store Detective and made many arrests and conducted alot of larceny investigations. My point in mentioning this is;
While working in Security learn everrything you can.
Increase your powers of observation. You will be amazed at what you didn't see because you were just "looking".
If you have to do reports, as stated above, write clearly and fill them out with extreme care.
There is nothing worse than having a person return your report for a stupid mistake or omission. If done right you will have a little edge on the others especially if you had to testify on the stand prior to your appointment as Police Officer. Keep what you have done in your back pocket to use. Dont brag about anything and learn the real way of being a cop. It worked for me. I was a Police Officer then Detective for thirty Years mostly in special squads. Good Luck