Am I too old?

[zzr]

Greetings everyone, fine forum you have here. I did a search on this topic and didn't find anything (which I suppose is an answer of sorts), but I figured I'd ask anyway:

Am I too old to get into a Law Enforcement career? I'll be 43 in April. I'm healthy, in decent shape, married, with children. I have a engineering BS degree and have been working for the past 20 years as a software engineer.

I'm still employed in this field but I've gotten to the point in my life where I feel like I want to do something more important with it. I'm contemplating going back to school for a Criminal Justice degree. I'm tired of being an anonymous cog in a massive corporate machine, doing something that doesn't seem to matter for a damn, and I've always held LEOs in the highest regard. It's idea I've flirted with for a long time, but I never took the step and now I'm worried that I've let too much time slip away.

So, tell me straight up - is my age an automatic disqualifier for me now?

[pafindr]

Some departments have age requirements and some don't.
You would have to either call up a dept. or check out their website to see their age requirements.
Also you're competing against quite a few 20 somethings so start getting in better than "decent" shape.

Good luck

[CincyCop]

Welcome to RP.

No, you're not too old. I was sworn in at 40...and several from my recruit class were in their mid to late 40s. A recruit class previous to our recruit class swore in a 53 year old.

It's all good.

[Ispbear]

Some departments have a maximum age requirement. But as many have said, your not that old. Don't wast your time on a CJ degree. If your a software engineer you have a degree, work experience, and history. A CJ degree will do nothing for you. Go apply to the department that you like.

Good luck!

[mcsap]

I dont know of any PD in Pennsylvania besides PSP that has any max age limit. Our physical agility tests are based on age groups. 20-29, 30-39 40-49 and 50 +. The older you are the less stringent the physicla agility test is but that doesn't mean it is a cakewalk. You just dont have to be quite as good as the 20 yr olds.

[JRT6]

As a police officer you will very much want to be an "annoymous cog".

[mythoss]

My department has a 53 year-old in the academy right now. In my class we had a 52 year-old.

[JRT6]

Policing is a young man's game and there is a reason why guys can retire at 48. Just starting the job at 50 means one would have to work till they were 75 to get a decent pension and 65 before they are even vested.

[William]

Welcome to RP.

No, you're not too old. I was sworn in at 40...and several from my recruit class were in their mid to late 40s. A recruit class previous to our recruit class swore in a 53 year old.

It's all good.

Well that's good to hear Cincy!

I used to think 38 was too old to start, but lately feel much better about it. People are in much better shape at older ages now, so if you take care of yourself it shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

[Roger Dat]

Some departments do have an age requirement I know mine does but there are definitely departments out there that dont. Good luck.

[CT_CO_Recruit]

I am a newbie here and I hope I am not out of my lane jumping in here but I know of a guy who went through the CT State Police Academy in his early fifties - 53 if I remember right. He was a retired school principal. From what I was told by those who went through with him he was a pretty squared away guy. Graduated and went out on the road as a Trooper.

I am currently testing for the CT Dept. of Correction at 40. Had a friend who was hired by the same agency at age 42.

Mike

[73alum]

If you are in shape, you are not too old. Also, do not go back for a CJ degree; it will be useless at this point. I am close to finishing-up a 20-year career in the NYPD and I am contemplating a move to California--where there is no age-limit--to start-over again; I can stay-on and move-up the ranks further but I miss being a cop and wouldn't mind taking a P.O. position (while collecting a pension, of course) in sunny Cali.

[Radical Jack]

Greetings everyone, fine forum you have here. I did a search on this topic and didn't find anything (which I suppose is an answer of sorts), but I figured I'd ask anyway:

Am I too old to get into a Law Enforcement career? I'll be 43 in April. I'm healthy, in decent shape, married, with children. I have a engineering BS degree and have been working for the past 20 years as a software engineer.

I'm still employed in this field but I've gotten to the point in my life where I feel like I want to do something more important with it. I'm contemplating going back to school for a Criminal Justice degree. I'm tired of being an anonymous cog in a massive corporate machine, doing something that doesn't seem to matter for a damn, and I've always held LEOs in the highest regard. It's idea I've flirted with for a long time, but I never took the step and now I'm worried that I've let too much time slip away.

So, tell me straight up - is my age an automatic disqualifier for me now?

Whoa there grandpa, why don't you lay down before you break a hip. I'll start the dvr to record Matlock and then I'll bring you your metamucil.
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Before everyone lynches me I kid, I kid.;)

43 is not too old. My agency hires plenty retired military and police officers, many of them in their forties or fifties. Most of them are pretty good deputies. You've got life experience and maturity on your side. I wouldn't go back for a criminal justice degree since you already have a bachelor's. I would make one suggestion though, if you're making good money at your current job I would say keep doing and look into being a reserve officer. If after doing that and law enforcement is for you than I say make the jump if you feel that's right.

[JRT6]

I think there is a big difference between hiring a 53yro just starting out and a 53yro vet on second LE job or just working part time. We've hired old jocks rookied who were in great shape as far as conditioning was concerned but the realities of the job wore them down and none of them went even two years before quiting thus wasting a lot of city money. Probably different in the Mayberries but that's the reality of the cities.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Greetings everyone, fine forum you have here. I did a search on this topic and didn't find anything (which I suppose is an answer of sorts), but I figured I'd ask anyway:

Am I too old to get into a Law Enforcement career?

Welcome to the boards. Just so you know, the search tab up top is not the only way to find things on RealPolice.net.

http://www.realpolice.net/forums/sho...73#post1008773

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