CJ ways to go? - Real Police: Law Enforcement,Police Officer,Criminal Justice,Background Checks website...

Dreamz12x · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-09, 12:59 PM

Hello. I'm a student going to school to get my CJ degree in Orlando. I'm half way through. I would love to become a Police Officer after I graduate and attent the Academy. However, I'm a little stuck with what to do until then. I have worked in retail for almost 5 years now at a Walmart. I love my job but I heard I could possibly get a job closer to the feild I want to be in. Someone told me it's not that hard to get a job as a Dispatcher and they train you. Is this true? Also I would like to find out what I could do that would be good for Community service? I'm real big on helping out friends/family when I need to. I don't have much time for CS though because I go to school all day on my 2 days off and the rest of the week I work full days. If anyone could steer me in the right direction or give me some advice I'd really appriciate it.

ROS · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-09, 01:34 PM

Dispatching is not a bad way to get a foot in the door of a department. I've know a few officers who started out as dispatchers, and having previously worked at a PD in a college town, we had several CJ students who came on to work as dispatchers.

Dreamz12x · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-09, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROS

Dispatching is not a bad way to get a foot in the door of a department.

Thanks. This is what I've heard. Do you need any expeirence? And where would I go apply?

ROS · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-09, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamz12x

Thanks. This is what I've heard. Do you need any expeirence? And where would I go apply?

No specific experience is needed to be a dispatcher, and you would go to whatever department you wish to work for to apply.

Brendon · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-09, 10:39 PM

Finding a job as a Dispatcher for a Police Department is hard due to the fact that you only need one dispatcher for so many Officers per shift, and the pay where I am for them is 1/3th of an Officers Salary. A part time internship is probably a better way to go. If there's an Auxiliary Police unit then that's even better.

BP348 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-09, 08:05 PM

The type of job you have before you get that police officer position really isn't that important. What is important is the length of time at the position and recommendations from your employer.

Recomendation(s) from your CJ instructors help as well.