How much does experience help in hiring process?

[car2car]

Can anyone tell me how much five years of patrol experience will help in getting a federal L.E. job? I also have 2 years college (still going).

[EXCOP2000]

I think it would help alot for the FBI. I did the whole application, testing process with the FBI. The recruiter finally called me after he knew I had 2 yrs in with a city PD. I turned it down though and got out of LE. I sometimes wonder if I should have taken it, but this was during the Clinton/Reno years so my motivation was tempered to join the FBI at that time.

[FPS207]

From what I found, LE experience is a plus, however it does appear a degree is required for most, and military experience with a honorable discharge helps considerably. I have found that the LE experience helps in the Federal Police Officer jobs, i.e., FPS, USCP, NPS, FBI, USSS UD, CIA SPO, etc. The special agent jobs are looking for the degree or a critical skill from what I have found.