Work Experiance

[cntryboy0531]

Ok, after putting in my first application a couple weeks ago, a question just popped into my mind. How much does a department weigh your past Work Experiance? I'm 19 and have only had two jobs since turning 16. I currently work at both still. One I got a month after I turned 16 working for a contracted company in a hospital billing office (been there for about 3.5 yrs, they also said they would give me an outstanding reference), and the other as a cook/chef for Walt Disney World. I started at disney when I was 17(Been there for about 2.5yrs).

Two things to mention, while working at Disney I have had VERY heavy contact with people of all kinds of different cultural backgrounds. Off the top of my head, there are about 7 people that work nights that do not speak English and are not full citizens of this country. They either speak Spanish, French, Creole, whatever the native language to Hati is (I cant remember), and a couple speak russian. So communicated through language/cultural barriers is something I've grown VERY used to doing. There are quite a few other groups I've worked with since starting there.

Second thing is something that came up on one question that I forgot about until it was asked on the application. It asked if I ever received any discipline from a job. Back in 2003 I was given a written reprimand for excessive call-in's. What happened was I was bitten on the foot by what me and the doctor thought to be was a Brown Recluse Spider. I didnt see the doctor until almost two weeks after the bite happened. A few days later the toe started swelling and I called in thinking nothing of it. I got off my feet and the next day it was fine. Went to work the next day and by the end of that night, it was swollen and I could hardly walk. This process went on for about a week until I finally went to the doctor as it got a lot worse. I was given a note to be removed from work for the next week but was not given A note for the call-ins before I went to the doctor. Other than that, my call-ins have been few and far between.

I still work for one of the managers that was there during that time and when I told him a department will probably be calling for a BI, he said he had no problems with me and said he would give me an outstanding review as a good employee.

So, taking all of this into account, how much is the Work Experiance going to weigh in? Help me or Hurt me?

[mxwelch]

First of all, all of the departments I know of won't hire you until you turn 21, unless you apply for cadet. IMO, you work experience doesn't sound that bad. They look for good working habits, stability, and responsibility. The best thing you can do is be completely honest no matter what. Something you might worry about would be no big deal to the BI if you disclose it, however it would be a VERY big deal and almost a certain DQ if he finds out about it and believes you tried to hide it from him.

BTW, how about hooking me up with some tickets. :D

[cntryboy0531]

I plan on telling him about all of it, I dont plan on hiding anything. And in Florida departments are allowed to hire at 19 :D . Most do, some dont however.

[mcsap]

WOrk experience for a teenager is NOT a fair comparison as a 25 year old. MOST teens have had a part time job here and there and than usually a full time job but nothing in any technical field. Having a SOLID work history and GOOD work references at almost ANY kind of work looks good for a BI.

[Soxfan101]

I am just curious, but was anyone on this board hired, or worked with someone hired, at the age of 18 or 19. No offense, but that seems very young to be hired as a police officer. I do not doubt that many have been hired and have done a great job, but with the amount of competition for law enforcement positions; It just seems that it would be an uphill battle. 0531 I wish the best of luck to you in your process.

[JustMe25]

I am just curious, but was anyone on this board hired, or worked with someone hired, at the age of 18 or 19. No offense, but that seems very young to be hired as a police officer. I do not doubt that many have been hired and have done a great job, but with the amount of competition for law enforcement positions; It just seems that it would be an uphill battle. 0531 I wish the best of luck to you in your process.

Its all how much mature person is. My State set the age requirement as 18, and there are some 18 year olds that are MATURE for their age, but then again you have some people in their 20s or above who are NOT mature. I guess what I am trying to say, is maturity plays an important role in hiring, atleast here it does. :D
Oh and yep, I got hired on as 18 year old as Reserve and know several officers who are 21 now, but got hired when they were 18. :P

[mcsap]

I don't think that it is a good idea to have an 18 yr old as a LEO. This is not to slander a "mature" 18 year old but this is a serious job and besides all of the other requirements needed, experience at life just hasn't occurred at 18.

My state allows hiring at 18. In my 19 yrs as a LEO, I know of NO dept anywhere in my county that has ever done this. 18 year olds are kids, legal to vote etc but still a kid. Nothing wrong with being an 18 yr old kid, I went into the military as a 17 yr old kid.

[deskjockey]

I am just curious, but was anyone on this board hired, or worked with someone hired, at the age of 18 or 19. No offense, but that seems very young to be hired as a police officer. I do not doubt that many have been hired and have done a great job, but with the amount of competition for law enforcement positions; It just seems that it would be an uphill battle. 0531 I wish the best of luck to you in your process.

I'm not on the job yet, as I did the college/military thing first, but my local PD has hired about 5 or 6 people under the age of 21 in the past five years. One girl I know started the academy about 6 months after her 18th birthday and about 4 months after her high school graduation.

[cntryboy0531]

Ok, thanks everyone for the input. I do remember a few years back a local Sheriff's Department hired a 19 or 20yr old, cant remember the exact age. But he was on the news. It wasnt a bad story, but thats all I can remember. So, some of them do hire that young down here, I think its just hit or miss with what department will hire me. But anyways, I plan on giving it my best effort regardless. Thanks for the words of advice.

[Nole795]

I was a cop in Florida and through my 7 years there, I only met one officer who was hired at 19. He worked for a University PD and his parent had to buy him his duty ammo for his weapon. Even he said he had never met anyone his age in LE.