Today is one of the happiest/proud days of my life

[neutral1]

Today I had my interview for part-time LEO (its known as SLEO here, but still full policing powers) , and I was hired at the end of my interview assuming I met the standards of the hirining process.

Thank you , not just ones who give me advice but the knowledge just written around here ( I read every post of every thread... )

look forward to starting my career as an LEO and become as knowledgeable and experienced as you all are.

I can not explain the feeling I have and the appreciation for getting it.

btw haha, not meant to come off the wrong way but I did just come across this again

I doubt in these times anyone will sponser you as a class II.

Thank you (hope i pass everything else)!

[flaleo]

You said part time, but then said new career? Are you going to be full time or..? I'm assuming part time is like my departments reserve status? The reserves need to put in 20 hours a month minimum and are not paid for it however all uniforms/gear is provided. Also, reserves must be certified(completed the state required law enforcement academy) at my department.

Have you completed the law enforcement academy yet or is this your first step in the process? Sounds like you defintely have a great start though with an agency already giving you the nod!! It's the best job ever IMO. Of course it has its bad days but for me the good days outweigh the bad!!

Grats!!

[Andrew G.]

For what it's worth, congratulations on the hire!

[greg72982]

You said part time, but then said new career? Are you going to be full time or..? I'm assuming part time is like my departments reserve status? The reserves need to put in 20 hours a month minimum and are not paid for it however all uniforms/gear is provided. Also, reserves must be certified(completed the state required law enforcement academy) at my department.

Have you completed the law enforcement academy yet or is this your first step in the process? Sounds like you defintely have a great start though with an agency already giving you the nod!! It's the best job ever IMO. Of course it has its bad days but for me the good days outweigh the bad!!

Grats!!

Here in PA the only difference between part time and full time is FT guys get benefits and usually higher pay, as well as being scheduled 40 hours per week. There is no minimum working hours for part timers here and you are more or less the deparmtent's b*tch.

The advantage clearly goes to the municipality, but PT jobs are mainly used as a way to gain experience while trying to obtain a FT gig, which is not easy. I've spent many weeks working 6 days a week at two different PT jobs with no OT or benefits. Politics are strong here and if you don't have military or know someone in local politics the odds aren't in your favor at most places...

[neutral1]

You said part time, but then said new career? Are you going to be full time or..? I'm assuming part time is like my departments reserve status? The reserves need to put in 20 hours a month minimum and are not paid for it however all uniforms/gear is provided. Also, reserves must be certified(completed the state required law enforcement academy) at my department.

Have you completed the law enforcement academy yet or is this your first step in the process? Sounds like you defintely have a great start though with an agency already giving you the nod!! It's the best job ever IMO. Of course it has its bad days but for me the good days outweigh the bad!!

Grats!!

I meant heading into my LE career. Sorry.

It many places the Class II (part-time) is not paid but the county I am hopfeully doing this in is paid. Only about 10 dollars an hour. But I could honestly care less about the pay, I would do it voluntarily just for the experience.

Yup first step, the academy starts 4/30/11 but I still have go through the psych and the PT test (not worried about the PT though).

Thanks a lot, I really do appreciate it.

[neutral1]

For what it's worth, congratulations on the hire!

Thank you!

[neutral1]

Here in PA the only difference between part time and full time is FT guys get benefits and usually higher pay, as well as being scheduled 40 hours per week. There is no minimum working hours for part timers here and you are more or less the deparmtent's b*tch.

The advantage clearly goes to the municipality, but PT jobs are mainly used as a way to gain experience while trying to obtain a FT gig, which is not easy. I've spent many weeks working 6 days a week at two different PT jobs with no OT or benefits. Politics are strong here and if you don't have military or know someone in local politics the odds aren't in your favor at most places...

What he said

[Lt.Anger]

Yes,and why cant a part time job be a career anyway ?? I never wanted to be a cop,could never be one anyway but congratulations.

[Joeyd6]

Congrats!

People with egos have hard time in this busines. They usually don't make it. And for the record, yours is shining right through....

Additionally, getting "hired" means nothings except the agency said yes. The academy/state and still have to say yes. That means a favorable background check has to be completed (which is has not been done yet), a favorable medical examination has to be completed (not done yet) and a favorable psychological profile has to be completed (not done yet). Then you have to actually pass the academy (hopefully you are going to one of thw decent ones). Your road is along one. But be careful.....SEO's are far from full power LEO's. Especially off-duty.

Here in PA the only difference between part time and full time is FT guys get benefits and usually higher pay, as well as being scheduled 40 hours per week.

Where he is in NJ...there is a HUGE difference. NJ has four different "officers":
1) Auxiliary: typical volunteer from 18 to retirees...minimium duties and limited training

2) Class I - 80 hour academy that includes classes on criminal law, report writing, motor vehicle law, use of force responsibility to the community, CPR and first aid, handcuffing, baton and self defense techniques. These officers do not carry a firearm.

3) Class II- 280 to 481 hour academy, depends on agency requirements (see teh problem all ready). They have the same authority and arrest powers as a full time police officer while they are employed, but when they are not on the clock, the gun stays at the agency and they are a nobody. On-duty, they can't leave the jurisdiction. Most agencies restirct the activities of Class II. Vineland NJ, for example, uses them "in-house" or for transports only. The course of study includes, history of law enforcement, the NJ court system, community responsibility, criminal law, arrest search and seizure, use of force, patrol vehicle operations, motor vehicle law, first responder emergency rescue, firearms, PR-24 baton, chemical agents, self-defense, patrol tactics, criminal law, communications, report writing, court room testimony, military drill, and physical fitness. Clss II have appointment terms that cannot exceed one year. They have to be re-hired. They can't join the police union and there have been issues where

There are many "issues" with them as cops are laid off, and towns are supplementing the layoffs by hiring these class II's, who they don't have to pay benefits to. Thes folks who are hired seasonally can work 48 hours a week during their season which can't extend six months. Guys hired on the annual basis are limited to 20 hours per week. They do not field train like a "real" rookie would and typically are making $10 to $25 an hour.

Additionally, you can't be a class II today and if there is a opening tomorrow for a regular guy, just switch in. Your agency has to review what you did in your academy, sign-off on such, and then the state has to sign-off. You may get exempt from classes at the academy, but you are going to go through the academy again...and only if you took the civil service test and your number is next on the list or if you took teh Chiefs Test and passed....aka slim to none.

4) Full Police Officers (full time or part time)- fully certified state officers will full police authority who passed the entire PTC academy under a standard syllabus. (self sponser your way or agency sponsored)

SLEO's are nothing but a way for agencies to get cheap policing. You get what you pay for! And they rarely lead to hiring because the state allows you to self sponser yourself for full police academies. So you hire the vet who came back, and completed the full academy and can learn your agency way and be on the road tomorrow, or do you hire the kid who was a Class II, needs to hit the academy again and has been "tainted" with his SLEO agency way? Oh wait, we are in major recession and the State of NJ not only has these canidates, but over 150 offficers who were on patrol, laid off and have rights to get their job back before anyone is hired!

[neutral1]

Congrats!

People with egos have hard time in this busines. They usually don't make it. And for the record, yours is shining right through....

haha I apologize, it was the excitement that was shining through at the time. I have been told I am modest, but still quite extroverted. But I digress from that, thank you very much.


My PT test is this Saturday. I have been testing myself and I know I meet all the standards.

My main concern is the psychological exam, but other than that I have never been so excited to learn about all the topics being covered in the Academy

But you are absolutely right. I am not arguing with you, I have a long long road, but I am thrilled to get a chance to even walk this road.

[Joeyd6]

haha I apologize, it was the excitement that was shining through at the time. I have been told I am modest, but still quite extroverted. But I digress from that, thank you very much.

Well I take it back then......and you may just be OK. You have a thick enough skin and can take a ribbing so there is hope for you!

My PT test is this Saturday. I have been testing myself and I know I meet all the standards.

Don't so "just enoughh".....go till muscle failure or times up.

My main concern is the psychological exam, but other than that I have never been so excited to learn about all the topics being covered in the Academy

You have no control over it. Don't lie and more importantly, dom't monit and try to beat it.

[/QUOTE]But you are absolutely right. I am not arguing with you, I have a long long road, but I am thrilled to get a chance to even walk this road.[/QUOTE]
Do this and then get go for out of state agencies. Baltimore is close and hiring and does out of towner weekend processing.

[MikeyD]

Congratulations on getting the position. You said they offered you the position at the end of the interview, is that normal for most departments? If not, then that's awesome because it shows they really liked you as a candidate.

[neutral1]

That was my plan, but I did not know if that will make me look cocky. For instance one of the tests is one pull-up. I know I can easily get that. Should I really keep going?



I am thinking realistically like you for the most part about leaving NJ. I know there is little hope there. Plus I'd really only like to work in the Newark/Camden area (clearly no shot after the layoffs).

But I also do not mind leaving extremely far, such as Florida or California (LAPD). I hear they still hire pretty often, have you came across the same thing?

[neutral1]

They offered me the position assuming I met all the other parts of the hiring process.

Normally for full-time it is a lot more competitive and cut people all the time throughout the hiring process. But to be honest, I can be totally wrong. I am not too well versed on the complete process. These guys are the ones to ask. Check the Ask-a-cop section, but before doing so use the search to see if the answer is already in the forum.

[danninator]

Clear out your inbox trying to shoot you a line. Class II position is a fantastic stepping stone in this state, and the cert is even recognized as waiverable to a full-time position, heck I've seen some guys go out of state with the cert and get to skip the academy altogether. The biggest problem now, is many towns are trying to use these guys to replace full-timers.... really doesn't cut it save for a few year rounders that are actively waiting to get picked up off of civil service lists.

JoeyD hit the nail on the head with the descriptions... except Class II's now can leave their jurisdiction (mostly for prisoner transports and in some circumstances limited mutual aid).

You're right, while full-time jobs are more competitive, but class II's still receive thorough backgrounds, but we always have plenty that don't get asked back... good luck and keep your nose clean.

As far as where you want to work, I know you want to be "busy," which I read as dangerous. But remember Newark and Camden aren't the only busy places. Look around the state, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Trenton, AC, The Oranges and so on have crime. I'm sure many of those officers will trade for a "slower" job in a heartbeat.