What have you done to prepare for a job as a LEO?

[italian1]

Besides the usual stuff such as physical conditioning, reading up on the dept. your apping for and the city/area youll be working in does anyone have any additional advice that I could use? I'm trying to find out if the dept. I'm after allows ride-alongs...other than that I'm stumped. Thanks!

[Stump]

No, I'M "Stump". :D

Find out what is required to pass the exams, stay out of trouble, volunteer someplace.
The interviewers like to see that people have a life, so get some hobbies that are not LE-related. Sail, box, collect stamps, read, play with dolls, anything to show that you have an outside interest and way to relieve stress. That is a biggie, but not one that gets a lot of attention.

[italian1]

Thanks for replying so fast stump! Well, I'v gotten through the written, physical agility, and now awaiting BPAD results in early Jan. I'm starting to prepare for my reveiw board. Trying to cover all my bases on the "what have you done so far" question. Hobby, huh? I keep that in mind thank's and Merry Christmas......be safe

[metallicat]

One thing I have done is thought about it, a lot. I am constantly thinking about it, and trying to prepare myself metally for what it takes to apply, and hopefully, eventually get hired.

Besides that, I am preparing myself physically. I am striving to at least double all the physical fitness minimum requirements. That would be doing at least 18 chinups, as opposed to the minimum of 9. I have made a checklist in my mind, and I won't begin to apply until I am 100% ready and confident I can make it.

[K9 Police]

Prepare by getting in the law enforcement environment. The more you know about it the better chances you will have when it comes to a full time sworn position. And I am not talking about watching the TV show COPS, I am talking about the behind the scenes law enforcement duties. For example, I held the following positions to gain as much experience, education, and knowledge that I could:

Field Supervisor of Security for University PD
Community Service Officer for small PD
Reserve Police Officer for large PD
Park Patrol Agent for Park PD

Those positions gave me a ton of experience and contacts to get that full-time sworn position. You learn how to handle people, situations, giving citations, driving squads, learn your strengths and weaknesses, what you want in a department, etc. The minor stuff consists of knowing the department, city, type of law enforcement activity, etc. Anyone can learn that, but the experience that you gain actually working is invaluable.

K9

[constable]

I am 22 and I have been a cop for 7 months, the things I did were as follows...........
- ride alongs
- volunteer (alot)
- take any kind of course which I thought would benefit me in any way
- get good marks in school
- stay out of trouble (but still had to have fun, Just not a bad kind)
- I also volunteered with the OPP when they did field training, I would let them throw me around, And hey it paif off
Those are some of the things I did, and they felt at my age I did alot of things they were looking for.

as far as STUMP said, keep busy as well with things that are not Law enforcment related or perhaps you can get stressed, or bored with it.

I hope this helps you a bit

[italian1]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. It gives me something to go on. Being in the military my adult life (9yrs) I have a good sense of the job from a realistic stand point. Merry Christmas everyone!!

[Knight]

When I was asked that question on my interview I mentioned that my wife is a cop so I have to deal with the reality of police work daily through her. I have also been on several ride alongs, and have read every bit of material provided by the dept. that I was applying for to help me prepare.

I wanted to mention that I have been making daily trips to the local Krispy Kreme so that I would be prepared for real police work.. but I didn't think that my interviewer would see the humor in that as a good thing.

[constable]

you have a krispy kreme, I think I need a transfer

[Jcrazy]

I went to College for CJ.
I worked in security.
I currently work in corrections.
Anything that you can do to help you expand you knowledge of police work will benefit you.

[lawdawg]

Go out and get one the those police test preparation books. You will have a hell of a leg up on others if you know how to take them.

[Stump]

Originally posted by Knight
I wanted to mention that I have been making daily trips to the local Krispy Kreme so that I would be prepared for real police work..

I had to ask my LT if a particular job (that was 8 hours old) was taken care of. It was a report at one of the Tim Horton's (Canadian version of a Krispy Kreme/Dunkin Donuts). I mentioned "Tim Hortons" and he said there was nobody there because "I've been there several times tonight". I said "Oh, I bet you have". That comment was met with dead silence. Jer, if you are reading this, I was kidding!! LMAO!!! Of course, Tim Hortons is about 20 yards away from one of our precinct offices....

[metallicat]

There are Tim Hortons in the USA? I had no idea.

[Stump]

Sorry to highjack the thread, but...

Yes, the first one (the one I am referring to) arrived last year. I went through the drivethru and ordered a "regular coffee" (the way it says on the sign). I got it and the dude had already put cream and sugar in it. He said in Canada (where he lived, 'eh), when you order a "regular" coffee, it is implied that you want cream/sugar in it. Yeck! He had to take it back. Is that true?

[metallicat]

I don't drink coffee too much, so I am not sure. But you hear people at Tim Hortons asking for a "double double" which I assume means two cream, and two sugar. If they sell Iced Cappuchino's, try those, they are pretty good.