Guy I know going thru the Process

[Riggs]

Now I say guy, he's 19, I'm 21 and I can talk about someone else my age and say kid but anyway thats not important. So what I'm about to say right now might make some of you guys mad at me but, try and hear me out. Okay the guy I know is 19 years old and has gone to college for a year and has taken the Civil Service test to become a cop in NJ and he scored well, a few points better than me (He had a 94, I had a 91).
Jumping over to before the test, this guy I know bought an apartment in the town in which he hoped to get hired because you have to live in the town to become an officer. His father is someone on the fire department in that town and he knows someone who is a police officer in that same town, which is all cool, after all around here its who ya know. Unfortunately, I know a few cops myself but none for a good amount of time and none that know me personally, so I guess I don't have that luxury.
Now, I've been trying to become a police officer for a year this month, he has been trying since that Civil Service test and knew right away where he was going to go so I guess you can say he was "trying" for 4 months. Myself on the other had have taken the Civil Service test and one test for a local academy and soon to be entering another application this month to a totally different police academy. I have 2 1/2 years college experience, he has 1 1/2, both of us Criminal Justice.
So to make a long story short I was talking to this guy yesterday and I was really amazed at how little he actually knew about what he was getting into and knowledge of actual policing. I am talking imformation that I learned my first semester in college and this guy didn't know anything with a year and a half. He wasn't even away of the hiring process, he believed it was background check, interview, and off to the academy. He was extremely nervous over the background check ( he was 18 and had a 17 year old girlfriend) maybe that is why he was nervous? Anyway, I broke the news to him that from what I hear that that is the least of your worries its more the polygraph and oral interview. I told him there are many stages even a physical, so its no walk in the park. This was all news to him, so I got the impression that he wanted to become a cop just because he could.
I know some of you may look at me and say well i'm just jealous, he made it and I didn't. I faced the fact that I'm going to have a tough go of it because I don't know somebody who can get me in, but I really want this and I am going to keep trying come hell or high water. I'm just curious if any of you guys would want to serve as an officer with someone who is an officer just becuase he knows somebody who knows somebody? Is this always the best way to become a cop?


Just let me know what you guys think and if you hate my views take it easy one me :(

[Fury]

He would not become an officer just because he knows somebody. (In most cases) That somebody may help him to get his foot in the door, but he still has to enter the house. If they consider him to be qualified, then they will accept him. It isn't your decision as to who gets in and who doesn't, leave that up to the folks experienced in hiring qualified LE's to select who they see fit.

[Riggs]

Thats very true....

[Maysville194]

Is 21 not a mandatory age for Peace Officers in NJ?

Peace Officers in Ky have to be 21 at a minimum.

[mcsap]

21 in PA. Even then, the youngest we ever hired was 23. I wouldn't mind one bit if the hiring age was 25. Maturity is a great asset to have in this job.

[Riggs]

Thats another thing it is 21, but I know you can be 18 to go to the academy I guess if he gets hired he goes to the academy and by the time he is out he is 20. So I guess for the next year they'll keep him in the department maybe as a dispatcher or something.

[txinvestigator1]

Just let me know what you guys think and if you hate my views take it easy one me

If you start to focus one those who got a better deal than you, you are going to be miserable quite a bit.

OTOH, you will get a better shot, deal, advantage over others in life too.

Life is not fair. The sooner you understand that, the sooner you can stop obsessing over perceived rights and wrongs and get on with making the best life for you that you can.

[tenfour]

TX said it perfect. Don't focus on this guy, focus on yourself. Try and get involved in whatever you can. Heck when I was just "interested" in being a cop, I rode with an officer in town. I couldn't believe how much we had in common and how perfect LE was for me. Here I am a year and a half later and I'm very good friends with that officer. He has introduced me to many other officers, sergeants, and even the new chief. I've ridden on over 100hours with our department with him and have learned ALOT, and met lots of people.

I just do well in school, keep my nose clean, and I've been hitting the gym 5 days a week getting in shape, I'm very focused on this career and I can't wait to get in...

Good luck!