Seattle, WA

[bjarne]

Hey everyone, lately I have been looking around this forum because of my strong interest in law enforcement. I'm straight out of high school; age 18. Anyways I'm looking for a place in the Northwest to earn my LE degree next year; I hear CWU has a good program there going on. Anyone know of any other hot programs around my area? Also is there a certain age limit in becoming a LEO? I have a good background; 4 year varsity football 1 year being captain, Eagle Scout, clean record.
Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Oh, also. Is there any way to go sit along with a unit and experience his shift in his/her car? To be more specific I mean sitting along with the Seattle Police Department.

Moved to "Ask A Cop" section.

[drkknght]

Hey everyone, lately I have been looking around this forum because of my strong interest in law enforcement. I'm straight out of high school; age 18. Anyways I'm looking for a place in the Northwest to earn my LE degree next year; I hear CWU has a good program there going on. Anyone know of any other hot programs around my area? Also is there a certain age limit in becoming a LEO? I have a good background; 4 year varsity football 1 year being captain, Eagle Scout, clean record.
Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Oh, also. Is there any way to go sit along with a unit and experience his **** in his/her car? To be more specific I mean sitting along with the Seattle Police Department.

Moved to "Ask A Cop" section.

Welcome, to real police bjarne. I am not a LEO but I may have an answer to some of your questions. I am from the Tacoma area also. I am also pursuing a career in LE and currently getting a degree.

I am unsure of a good school around here I am currently attending University of Phoenix on-line. So far it has treated me good.

Yes there is an age limit to become a LEO here and it is 21 except for the State Patrol right now which is hiring at age 19 1/2.

My advice to you is join one of the military branches for 3-4 years and either get a degree while you are in the service or get the gi-bill and use that to pay for your school.

Also, keep your background clean and call some of the departments in your area. Just use the google search bar and type in the department you are looking for and visit there website. If you do not find what you are looking for call them, the number will be on the website.

[Lawson]

Welcome to RealPolice from Olympia WA.

Also, a lot of agencies around here have internship and cadet programs. A lot of agencies have the volunteer Explorer program, which in my personal experience, can give you a lot of insight to the law enforcement profession, but various agencies also have paid cadets. To name a few, Lakewood PD, Lacey PD, Olympia PD, Tumwater PD, Lynnwood PD, Federal Way PD, and there are certainly more... Dependant upon the agency, they will handle different duties and have different job titles. Some agencies refer to them as cadets, while others refer to them as community service officers or public service officers, etc... Duties can be anything from filing paperwork, to responding to motor vehicle accidents and cold calls to transporting prisoners. These jobs are a great step into law enforcement. They give you a good experience, a good working knowledge of a law enforcement agency and your respective jurisdiction, as well as gets you some good connections within the agency if you play your cards right and keep your nose clean. If you keep an eye out, something is bound to open up somewhere.

[deputywave]

Welcome to RP.

[jmac_52]

Welcome to RP from Louisiana.

[meatstick300]

Welcome to RP.

[SO explorer]

Hey everyone, lately I have been looking around this forum because of my strong interest in law enforcement. I'm straight out of high school; age 18. Anyways I'm looking for a place in the Northwest to earn my LE degree next year; I hear CWU has a good program there going on. Anyone know of any other hot programs around my area? Also is there a certain age limit in becoming a LEO? I have a good background; 4 year varsity football 1 year being captain, Eagle Scout, clean record.
Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Oh, also. Is there any way to go sit along with a unit and experience his shift in his/her car? To be more specific I mean sitting along with the Seattle Police Department.

Moved to "Ask A Cop" section.

welcome, like drkngt said for most department's its 21 by time of hire and your state patrol is hiring at 19 1/2, there are also some departments that hire at 18 around the country, there's three or four in CA that I know of and some Florida Department's hire at 19.

[Apollo8138]

Welcome to RP.

[Taxx]

Yes there is an age limit to become a LEO here and it is 21 except for the State Patrol right now which is hiring at age 19 1/2.

Most ages it is 20.5 at time of application. WSP offer 19.5 at time of application. No, you cannot be 20 YOA and be a Trooper. They are keeping in mind the 1 year hiring process + 6 month academy.

Keep your nose clean and your foot off the pedal. Don't live beyond your means and always think before you act. Do these things and you will be there.

[gringoscott]

Welcome to RP!

You should definitely look into a local explorer/cadet program. I highly recommend it. I joined my PD's explorer post when I was 18. I was only in for 3 years, but it was a great experience. Another thing that I just learned about recently,and I am loving every second of, is volunteering at a local police academy for their scenario tests. Once your wrists get used to the constant handcuffing, you'll love it!

Again, welcome to RP. That toolbar at the top is priceless. Especially the search button. Learn it. Use it. Love it.

[sgtbear111]

Welcome. Some good advice already given. CWU does have a good Law & Justice program. So does WSU. You might consider a degree in Business, computer related science, Communication, History, Engineering, or where you have strong aptitude. If you do not go into a sworn police position, (i.e an old football injury?) the law and justice is fine for working in the courts. but not so good in the private sector unless you graduate from a law school. Private security does not pay well for a college graduate. A degree in Business or Computer Science is more versatile in the private sector. Law enforcement does seeks out computer professionals for technical, investigative, and forensic positions.

Go to college, get a degree, get on the football team, keep your grades above a 3.0. If money is a problem - scholarships. The military has many advantages. Enlisted members of all branches can compete for appointments to the service academies, ROTC scholaships, and receive some top level military law enforcement training if LE if it is their primary specialty

As for a ride-along, contact an SPD precinct and ask. Same applies to any department, go in there and ask, in person is better. Be prepared to answer the question: Why?

For WSP ride-along contact the WSP Trooper recruiters 800-888-8364 or the District 2 Office at Bellevue-Eastgate on 156th (425-649-4370).

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/hrd/hrdhome.htm

Anoter good link is the Criminal Justice Training Comission and Academy located in Burien, WA.

https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/index.html
https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/employment/index.htm

Be very aware that what you do, and the quality of the friends you pick, is going to open doors or close doors in your future employment options and life choices. Get a DUI, MIP, furnishing, drug use or possession, reckless driving, or other arrest, you are screwing your future. "Friends" making decisions for you about illegal "fun stuff" like drinking, dope, parties, racing, etc, are not the friends you need. They will vanisrh and leave you when trouble begins. They will lie, and shift blame on you, to save their own necks.

good luck