What am I up against?

[FutureTrooper]

Greetings all,

This is my first post here and I was hoping some of you could give me some insight into what I should do/need to do in order to become #1 in the selection process.

I am currently applying to the Colorado State Patrol and possibly the Colorado Springs PD. CSP is my #1 choice and I have my heart set on it.

My background:

-- 11 years AF active duty - intelligence (separating 11 Oct)
-- Second language: Arabic
-- 2 associates degrees
-- 4 classes from my BA in Middle Eastern Studies
-- 815 credit score, but have some debt (always on time with payments)
-- Physically fit
-- Held TS/SCI security clearance for the past 10 years - and still holding
-- Two traffic tickets in the last 5 years. Both are in TX but my license is from FL... do I pull my record from FL to see what's on it? Or pull a TX record? Both?
-- Almost forgot... I stole a pack of gum from the BX when I was 7

I'm not worried about the written test or physical aspects of it, I just don't want to get lost in the thousands of applicants that apply. How do I stand out?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially from any current CSP members.

Also, does anyone know if the CSP has a buy-in or buy-back retirement program for prior military? It's not mentioned on the website...

Thanks!

Michael

[MRuffalo715]

FutureTrooper,

Welcome! Thank you for your service. I'm fairly new here, too. I'm not a police officer, but I would like to become a state trooper after I graduate from college. I have spent much time researching different state police and highway patrol agencies.

I think your military experience is going to be an asset in the application process. I do believe the Colorado State Patrol gives veterans status of preference. Some agencies, like the New Jersey State Police, do not. Educationally, I believe that your military background and two associate's degrees should make you competitive with applicants that have a bachelor's degree.

I wouldn't worry at all about your traffic tickets. I would pull both the records from Florida and from Texas just to see, however. I think it's funny that you bring up a theft of a pack of gum from your childhood!

Unfortunately, becoming a state trooper is competitive. Even very qualified applicants are turned down because there is someone more qualified. I know that in New Jersey over the past seven years around 19,000 people applied to the State Police and less than 1,200 eventually became troopers. Just give it your best shot. I think you've got a good chance.

On the other hand, you should still look into municipal police departments. Many cities have a severe shortage of qualified applicants. I don't know whether you are willing to move from Colorado, but cities like Albuquerque, Phoenix, Oakland, and Seattle are in desperate need of police officers. Las Vegas is also recruiting heavily and caters to out-of-state applicants. I have thought about moving out to Las Vegas if I am not selected to become a trooper. The bottom line is that if you want to become a police officer (and have a good background, like you do) you can become one today. There are so many opportunities.

Good Luck!

[FutureTrooper]

MRuffalo715,

Thanks for the reply. I knew the process was competitive when I decided to pursue it, but I had no idea that so many people apply every year! My recruiter said not to worry about the numbers, about 50% weed themselves out before they even take the written test.

I will definitely be pursuing the municipal route as well, it would seem foolish not to. I'm just starting the process for the Colorado Springs PD and may look into the Vegas department as well. I love Vegas, but I don't know that I want to make it my home. I heard on another board that they are hiring 400 new officers a year for the next 8 years! That makes for pretty good odds...

Take care,

Michael

[mxwelch]

FutureTooper,

I'm no LEO but from my limited experience you already stand out. Very impressive resume. You should look for a federal position. Arabic, I imagine is a very sought after skill along with the middle eastern studies. Good luck.

[EJV]

FutureTooper,

I'm no LEO but from my limited experience you already stand out. Very impressive resume. You should look for a federal position. Arabic, I imagine is a very sought after skill along with the middle eastern studies. Good luck.

Not a bad idea. Finish your bachelor's degree and go Federal. I would think that they would look highly on your background. Course if you want to know with a reasonable level of certainty where you will be living then the Federal route is probably not a good option for you.

[FutureTrooper]

Honestly, I've always assumed and planned that I would join the FBI, CIA, DIA or something similar. But lately, I really don't want anything to do with the TS clearance, intel, or working in the capacity of a linguist. I've been doing it for the past 10 years and just do not enjoy it anymore. I think (and hope) that I will find that I am much happier on the streets, actively doing something I enjoy, even if it is for less money. And thanks for the kind words.

[Kimble]

Honestly, I've always assumed and planned that I would join the FBI, CIA, DIA or something similar. But lately, I really don't want anything to do with the TS clearance, intel, or working in the capacity of a linguist. I've been doing it for the past 10 years and just do not enjoy it anymore. I think (and hope) that I will find that I am much happier on the streets, actively doing something I enjoy, even if it is for less money. And thanks for the kind words.

Well, go with what makes you happy. You'd certainly be attractive to the military LE agencies (i.e. AFOSI, NCIS, and Army CID) with your language skills, and these agencies do have civilian agent slots.

If you want to be on the streets, go for it. It's not like you're wasting your skills if you're doing what you love to do. I'm a federal LE applicant working now in local LE, and have to tell you that if the federal thing doesn't work out, I'll be more than happy to stay were I'm at until I retire. Local LE can be a great career move, and with your credentials, you'll likely be very competative with a number of top agencies.

Do some ride-alongs with local agencies in your area and get a feel for which ones are among the top (morale, pay, benefits, job assignments, etc.), then apply to any and all that interest you.

[Taxx]

Certainly having the military background will help with the civil service part of the application. I would bet that Colorado's agencies offer more points for Military experience. My agency give 5 percentage points for service or 10 percentage points if you were in an armed conflict. If you have a degree you also get 2 percentage points. A reserve also gets 2 percentage points.

If you really want to be a trooper I would suggest becoming a reserve. If you are like me and don't want to donate your time, then I would just start applying everywhere. (Not knocking reserves, but I have a family and can't afford to donate time) Once you get on with another agency and get the academy out of your way, you become even more marketable and you can start looking for other agencies.

Work on interviews. In the military I am sure that you had oral boards for promotions and such. I imagine you did well on those. The interviewers are looking for honest answers and confidence (not arogance). Don't try to curtail your answers to what you think the interviewers want to hear because most of the time they can smell the deception.

Again, you may have your heart set on being a trooper, I used to, too. But once I became a city cop I would never want to be a trooper. That's me, though. My point is, keep your options open. Your main goal is to become a LEO....some agencies would rather hire an experience officer. I would hate to see you hold out for a particular agency, when you could be getting your feet wet somewhere else. Good luck to you!