Why 21??

[ExplorerXpress]

Heres what I dont get. I took the NYPD test when I was 18 (last February). The youngest you could have been was like 17 1/2. I'm 19 now. I got a 94 on the entrance exam, and now I have to wait until I'm 21 to begin the process again (physical agility, psychological, etc.) Well then why did they offer the test to such a young age group in the first place?
I've been a firefighter in my community since I was 17, and have seen a great deal of action for someone my age, but I have always had a draw to law enforcement and am currently attending college for a criminal justice degree. My dad is a retired police officer from Providence, RI and I too am an applicant there. But you must be 20 "while applying" and be "21 at the time of appointment." I applied when the age was younger (18 I believe). Perhaps for obvious reasons the minimum age is 21, but if you are going to be one of 30 or so cadets that has gone through intense screening, why not be 19 or 20? I am very mature and responsible, and very eager and optimistic. If you can go to war at 18, why not join the campaign on the streets?
I would really appreciate the input from officers from both sides. Thanks.

XPRESS

[121Traffic]

With all honesty, I think 21 is still kind of a young age. I am applying now to a VERY small department, and am attendind the academy in a couple weeks. I turn 22 during the academy. Maybe not at this point in the process, but if earlier in the selection they changed their policy and went to a 24 year age minimum, I would not have argued. I think in some cases 21 IS a fine age, and in even other cases, the maturity needed is reached at 18. the point is that you can't take it on a case by case basis. You have to set a reasonable application age minimum (which is this case is 21...) and hope the brats are weeded out later.

PS. You need to be 21 in order to purchase a handgun in most places. An 18 year old policeman is kind of worthless when he can't purchase a gun.

PPS. I don't think that 18 is too young of an age to protect your community, just like I think 18 is a fine age to defend our country in the military. I do, however, think that a VASTLY greater amount of maturity is needed to police your OWN citizens. The temptation to abuse the power is there at any age...but you can bet that it is stronger for most 18 year olds than it is for most 30 year olds.

[ferriscj24]

Why is it 21 to drink then? as opposed to 19 in Canada, and even younger in other countries? I Honestyl still do not have an answer to that.

[oscarmitre]

I believe that the drinking age differs from State to State in the US and Province to Province in Canada so it isn't consistent.

In my jurisdiction the official age of majority is 18. You can sign a contract, get married, join the military, drink alcohol (any type), apply for a firearms licence and apply to join the police at 18 (minimum age for a driver licence is 16 though).

Having said that you can apply to join the police at 18 it doesn't mean you will be selected. Life experience is highly valued and in a competitive entry system it means that not too many younger people (18 or 19 for example) are selected. Still it's better than the situation many years ago when the drinking age was 21 but cops graduated at age 20 (we used to have a 3 year full time cadet training programme, in at 17 graduate at 20) so you could arrest someone in a bar but you couldn't legally drink in the same bar.

Politicians decide these things - don't expect them to be rational.

[mcsap]

Maturity across the board is something that is RARELY developed by an 18 year old. They can't say you at 19 are mature and another 19 year old isn't.

In PA, you can be an officer at 18 but you MUST be 21 to buy handgun ammo.

I have NO problem with the 21 year old requirement to be a police officer. The responsibility that comes with the job does not belong to a kid just out of high school. YOU may be mature beyond your years but how many of your 18 year old friends are NOT ?

[121Traffic]

21 to drink in the US period. It used to differ, I believe, not anytime that I can remember...but I think it did.

But now, it's 21.

[mcsap]

Yes, it is 21 in all states. Good idea too.

[muskingumboy]

I'm 23, and I don't think that I could ever really judge my own maturity, But in reflection, I know that I have grown up since I was 18. I know that I look at the world alot differently then when I did when I was 18. At 18 I think I still had that "high school", I'm invinicable feeling.

just my thoughts...

[ferriscj24]

the drinking age in America is a STATE law. At any time any state can change it, but it is 21 across all 50. However, If they did, i am sure they would lose quite a bit of government funding and what not to their respectable state. So the US government , even though it is a state law, DOES have a say in it. The argument you will here from 18-20 yr olds is.."well i can serve my country in the military and sacrifice my life for the USA but I cant have a beer?"
I believe if they DO serve actively in the military there are some exceptions to that, but i could be wrong.
Either way, the Feds to have quite a bit of say in the state laws, which is Why the Michigan OUIL law is down to.08 from .1 now. If the state didnt change it, you can forget about government programs to help pay for roads and the like...

[nunzio]

I completely agree that the age requirements for police officers should be at least 21. Honestly, I think 25 would be a perfect minimum age. I do know that there are 18-21 year olds that are mature and responsible enough to wear a badge, but I think they are few and far between. If an individual at age 21 knows that he/she wants to be a police officer, at age 25 he/she will be even more ready. I don't see the harm in waiting. During the extra few years, an applicant can do many constructive things to make himself/herself a more desirable candidate. Twenty-five is still young, especially considering after 20 years of service, one would only be 45 years old.

[muskingumboy]

If a state were too switch the drinking age, they would most likely loss federal funding for there roads......I know that it has happened before, but I'll have to ask one of my professers about that, and get back to you on that.

[121Traffic]

Don't bother...you are correct.

[dix0n]

well. I'm 17 myself, and I know I am going to try my hardest to be a Officer, and I figure well if you know thats what you want to do by 18 then it will give you 3 years to gain the confidence, the knowledge and the physical shape to be able to handle the guys on the other side, along with learn new things that can help you, or hurt you by reading boards like this that is truly knowledgeable, and I'm already trying to memorize the new Ohio Criminal Code book, so far so good..


21 is a great age.. I just hope they don't raise it anymore until I get in! LOL ;)

[oscarmitre]

Originally posted by 121Traffic
21 to drink in the US period. It used to differ, I believe, not anytime that I can remember...but I think it did.

But now, it's 21.

I stand corrected, thank you for the information. It's a good idea to have a consistent age limit in legislation.

[ExplorerXpress]

All of you raise very good points, however they dont really answer some of my core questions. Why do communities offer the test to people they A) will not hire or B) think are too young and immature? Whats the use of making me wait until im 21 to begin the process over again after offering the test beginning at age 17? In my town, you may be a reserve officer at 18, however at the end of the shift you must leave your firearm at the station; you can't go home with it. I dont know if its a question of firearms either; many children grow up in an environment where firearms are present, and learn to use them at a young age and many become experts.
I don't know, maybe I'm too eager and its a bit of a disappointment to have to wait all the time, but I know there are others that feel the same way that I do out there, and also those who disagree. I still appreciate everyone's comments- thanks!