Hello, I have a few questions.

[Boeman]

Hello,

First off, I would just like to say thanks. For the LEOs here, thanks for putting it on the line every day, so the rest of us can rest easy.

I have a few LE related questions and from what I can tell, this seems to be a good place to get the answers. Well, first I will run down a little personal history...

I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota. I was raised to respect the law and help people when I had the opportunity. Growing up, I had a strong desire to become an LEO. After high school, I started out at the local tech school, learning the art of law enforcement. After one semester, I found that it wasnt really my cup of meat, at least not at the tech, as the majority of thier training was directed towards folks who wanted to walk the beat, rather then advance to a federal level. I have more respect for these officers that keep our streets safe, then can be imagined, just doesnt interest me.

Anyways, after that semester of doing well, I transfered to the university for IT training. Since then I have completed all but one year of my information technology degree. I am enjoying it and have taken a particular interest in audio/video technology. Although I am happy with my current career path, I still feel the desire to become part of the law enforcement world.

Well, I will get to the point. I am wondering if there are ways I can assist or be employed by law enforcement agencies, with the training that I am now acquiring. I am aware that LE needs IT and A/V people, but are these usually certified officers that also possess IT training?

I would love to get my bachelor's degree in an LE related area but after putting 4 years into my IT education, I dont really want to start from scratch again.

Well, to wrap things up, what are my options here?

Thanks to all who respond.

[K-9MALY]

Your cup of meat? What the heck kinda saying is that? Anyway, you have now really disturbed me into having a mental picture of you with a cup o meat every morning.

Here are some options for you. The FBI actively recruits you whiz kids with techno wizzy wonky degrees as Intel Analyst, field surviellance specialist and it qualifies you for other technology enhanced careers within LE.
Having an IT degree is only an asset to you within our community. There is merit to having an education for our career occupation, but you will find some outstanding officers who only have a high school diploma.
Times are changing, and LE is infused with technology, the more you know and are able to use, the better off you will be once you arrive. Your still going to have to learn all the non-academic things from an old salt and hands on experience though. Things you cannot learn from a book or laptop. Cup of meat....that ain't right!

[Clint]

:rolleyes: Adding to K-9 Maly's job description, check DEA, Secret Service, US Marshal's, CIA and many other State and Federal agencies. Some of these agencies may require you to become an officer/agent before advancing to a mission support role. The time spent as an officer/agent depends on the needs of the agency. Happy "SPYING". :rolleyes:

[Boeman]

Thanks a million for the info fellas. The cup of meat reference is from an old Manford Mann song (The mighty Quinn). []

[Nole795]

I think you are more marketable to the federal agencies with an IT degree then a CJ one. Just my opinion though.

The FBI has a recruiting billboard in Houston, TX that shows the different types of applicants they have hired...one such person was an aerobics instructor. No lie. So as long as there are not too many Taebo Instructors applying, hopefully you will have a chance.

Good luck.

[ASUsundevil5]

I think they hired a Culinary Arts Individual as well

[Star]

Cup of Meat? I am grossed out. :confused: That is nasty. I can't answer now, I am just.....um...yucked out!

[Dayna36]

Thanks a million for the info fellas. The cup of meat reference is from an old Manford Mann song (The mighty Quinn).]

Ahhh! I knew that. I was impressed. I love old rock and roll. :D

[chewy]

go into computer forensics

[K-9MALY]

Okay your gonna force me to sing that ditty in my melon....singing....singing...singing

"When Quinn the Mighty Eskimoo comes all the penguins gonna run to him" Come on something something come on within...

BUT where is the reference to cup o meat?

[MDEMT280]

"I like to do just like the rest, I like my sugar sweet,
But guarding fumes and making haste,
It ain't my cup of meat.
Ev'rybody's 'neath the trees,
Feeding pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,
All the pigeons gonna run to him.
Come all without, come all within,
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn."

Bob Dylan wrote it, I believe. That's probably why it makes no sense! :rolleyes:

[K-9MALY]

It's pigeons! All these years I have been singing Penguins...loudly too!

[MDEMT280]

Well, ya gotta admit, penguins and eskimos do tend to go hand in hand.

[MrWingo]

I now have an image in my head of "The King" from the BK commercials sneaking into my house and into my bed with a cup of meat. Thanks.

Seriously though, it's heartening to see that an IT related degree would be a plus in LE. I'm working on a Computer Science degree right now, and tinkering with the idea of switching over to Electrical Engineering now that I've finished up a battery of advanced math courses (not technically necessary for the degree, but I wanted to learn the material, so I paid for them). It's nice to know that my experience in the IT/CS field, as well as my education, would be a benefit.

[Starflyer525i]

I would check the FBI's website or any of your local school's to find out if there are going to be any job fairs you could attend. My college held one a few months ago and several agencies were present; FBI, USSS, CIA, Local PD's, etc.

Recently a friend of mine (Who majoring in Computer Science) from school was awoken by a phone call from an FBI recruiter he met at the job fair. He wrote down his name and number to get an FBI sticker and has now been offered several internship opportunities.