Another what are my chances thread

[Taka11]

I've been a lurker for some time now, reading about everyone's stories and experiences related to the hiring process of becoming a police officer and this forum is a great resource from what I have seen.

However I am looking for opinions on what my chances to becoming a police officer? I know the majority of the hiring process comes from the written test and oral interview but I have to send out an application to the various departments I am interested in.

• Graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Minor in Military Science.
  
  Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Washington Army National Guard currently assigned to the 81st Brigade, 2-146 Field Artillery Regiment.
  
  Clean record (No drug use, not even a speeding ticket).
  
  Physically fit (300 on the Army Physical Fitness Test).
  
  I favor employment with discipline and structure as well as having strong team camaraderie.

There are things about me that do concern me however, I am young; 21 at the time of graduation and commissioning into the Army and I have no formal full time work experience, the only job that I currently have is part time with the guard. I would think this would put me at a disadvantage in some respect.

I would appreciate any feedback given.

[mcsap]

Welcome to RP.

Degree is GOOD even if it isn't Criminal Justice.

Commissioned Officer in the NG is GOOD.

Clean record is GREAT.

Physically fit is GREAT.

Your age is the youngest at which you can be legally hired. The chances of you getting hired tomorrow isn't that good. BUT , having finsihed college and being an officer in the NG says a lot about who you are as a 21 yr old. DOn't exepct a flurry of calls from an application but you certainly have done well for yourself.

GO get a job and get some life experience while you are applying and testing etc.

[retdetsgt]

Actually, I think any degree other than criminal justice is a plus.

We hire people fresh out of college all the time. I don't necessarily think they make the best cops, but prior job experience isn't a requirement.

[Taka11]

Thank you for the welcome and replies, although I am pretty young there can't be any wrongdoing in trying to hit center mass for the job I desire.

I hope to give you folks an update if I happen to advance into the next step.

[Taka11]

Took a written and physical test on 20AUG11, the written score result was an 84; so far I have had 0 calls from the departments I applied but then again these things take time. But I have questions for the written test.

If I have to take another test next year I would like to better this score, but I am unsure what to improve on as most questions were easily answerable and none were particularly difficult. However I have heard some people complaining about the personality test that is given at the same time for the written.
My answers coincided with having confidence (General A-Type Answers) and preferring to work in a team from what I can remember. (All answers were Strongly Agree, Strongly Disagree)

In hindsight answering strongly agree and disagree on EVERYTHING may have been my downfall.

Physical Testing scored went perfectly (They wouldn't let me do more push ups and sit-ups, I was sad) but this won't matter if its PASS/FAIL for the department looking at my results.

I just hope putting National Guard on the personal history statement doesn't scare departments off; I know the hiring process is lengthy and with the possible impending deployment for my unit in 2012 I am hoping to get through the hiring process before that happens.

[retdetsgt]

Nobody likes to hear this and I doubt you'll be an exception, but it sounds like a maturity factor. I came on at 25 after serving 6 years in the regular Army and I too was commissioned at 21. I know now that I was a lot better cop because I came on when I did rather than when I was 21. In fact, I'm not sure I could have passed they psych test at that time. I admit, I had a lot of unwarranted confidence. I needed to get more life experience. That last four years as a full time infantry officer did a whole lot to mature me and teach me how to deal with difficult people effectively. And that's a big portion of what being a cop is about.

I doubt you will, but I would strongly advise getting a full time job doing anything for a few years and then reapplying. It will not only boost your chances of being hired, it will make you more of an asset to the agency that hires you.

[MikeG]

Took a written and physical test on 20AUG11,

0 calls when it's summer and a holiday and only about 2-3 weeks. Plus it sounds like they used a testing agency for multiples departments - if so, those scores will need to be sent to agency and that will take time, too.

Not a LEO but I think you may get something in mail/e-mail before any kind of phone call and I wouldn't sweat it yet.

An easy way (well, actually the really hard way) to get points on your test in a lot of departments is complete your service and qualify as a veteran. Here I think it's 5 points added to your score.

[retdetsgt]

Mike, he's in the guard. Unless he serves close to two years active duty, they generally don't give veteran's points. Of course, that's possible I suppose in today's environment.

[Taka11]

0 calls when it's summer and a holiday and only about 2-3 weeks. Plus it sounds like they used a testing agency for multiples departments - if so, those scores will need to be sent to agency and that will take time, too.

Not a LEO but I think you may get something in mail/e-mail before any kind of phone call and I wouldn't sweat it yet.

An easy way (well, actually the really hard way) to get points on your test in a lot of departments is complete your service and qualify as a veteran. Here I think it's 5 points added to your score.

I would completely jump on the chance to add Veteran's Preference to the mix, however retdetsgt is right; if worse comes to worse and I get deployed before being hired then I'll be able to apply for those points.

[Taka11]

I have a question for anyone who can answer this; I am currently in phase 2 with the Washington State Patrol; if by chance I make it to the end of all the hiring phases and have to go away for an officer's leadership course would they be able to save me a spot in their academy? Or would I have to restart the whole process from square one?

The reason why I ask this is because before, my BOLC (Basic Officer's Leaders Course) was scheduled for SEP2012; but my unit is scheduled to deploy late 2012 so they WILL move up that training course earlier in 2012. BOLC for FA is around 4 months long.

[retdetsgt]

That's something only WSP can answer.