Qualifications for the job

[Rockphc]

I plan on getting a job in Wyoming as a police officer. At first I was going to go after I get an AA degree but decided there's a few things I want to do first before starting down that path. So tell me what you think about this as qualifications for a job on a department in this order:

EMT Certification
AA Degree in Criminal Justice
4 Years Active Duty Service
Bachelor Degree in Political Science

I understand I may not need all of this for a spot on the force but ive almost completed my AA degree and I want to serve and I figured I might as well get a 4 year degree just in case I get injured or change my mind about my career. So what do we have to say about this? Maybe it would be a good list for a federal job if I want it? Just leave whatever your thinking!

[retdetsgt]

Yeah, a degree in C J isn't worth much, but neither is one in political science either. I'd get a degree in a hard science or something computer related, something reasonably in demand in the market.

The military service is a big plus, the degree requirement varies from agency to agency. Good luck.

[mcsap]

Law Enforcement can REALLY use sworn officers who have REAL computer training ( meaning a degree). Even in today's world , there aren't that many.

[Rockphc]

No offense to anyone but I see a computer degree being useless as well due to the constant changing of the technology world, it would be obsolete in only a few years. If I'm thinking correctly then that should hold true...

[ET109]

By that logic, why have computer science degrees at all? Sure, there are lots of advances in technology, including hardware and software. That doesn't mean a degree is worthless. First, the basics of programming (Ha!) and debugging don't go obsolete. Second, a degree shows an ability to learn and adapt to new ways of thinking and computing. The specific systems may change, but the aptitude to learn hopefully remains. Most employers don't have the ability to use their own testing protocols for new hires like top-tier tech firms can, so they rely on whether someone has a reputable degree in the field.

So I don't buy it. If these fields aren't for you because you lack the interest or ability, pick something else, but I bet it (or a great language proficiency) would get you farther in employment than CJ or Political Science.

[Kimble]

No offense to anyone but I see a computer degree being useless as well due to the constant changing of the technology world, it would be obsolete in only a few years. If I'm thinking correctly then that should hold true...

Are you here to ask our advice or tell us we're wrong? We work in this field (some of us having participated in the hirining process for our agencies), but feel free to take the advice given or leave it.

[L-1]

I can't speak for the others, but in my neck of the woods, everything you have listed is fairly meaningless when it comes to "qualifications."

Where I am, the department will define a certain set of minimum qualifications necessary for admission to the testing process. If you meet those qualifications, you get to take the civil service test. That's it. You don't score points for exceeding the minimum qualifications.

From there you take written and oral exams that ask questions which measure you ability to perform the duties of the job you are seeking. The more correct answers you give, the higher you score. Applicants are hired based on the order of their score. Highest gets picked first, next highest gets picked second, third highest gets picked after that, etc.

The fact that you are an EMT means nothing. We do not get enough medical calls to justify paying for the required medical gear, or to justify the costs of each officers' annual recertification training, particularly when another agency, the fire department, exists and is paid to handle those events.

Your four years of active service will get an extra three veteran's points added to your final score, but beyond that, having served in the military does not necessarily enhance you knowledge of the law, police procedure, rules of evidence, emergency vehicle operation, testifying in court, investigative skills, report writing, etc.

Your AA in CJ may help you give more correct answers to the test questions than other applicants, but beyond that, you don't score extra points for exceeding the minimum requirement of a high school diploma or GED. Ditto for a degree in political science. It does not demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the position you are seeking.

Too many people think getting a job in law enforcement it like finding a job in the private sector. They try to put lipstick on a pig by making up a garbage resume and hope to sell the department a load of BS.



It just doesn't work that way. Again, in my area you will be tested in a manner that measures you ability to actually do the job and then be hired only according to your demonstrated skill.

[retdetsgt]

No offense to anyone but I see a computer degree being useless as well due to the constant changing of the technology world, it would be obsolete in only a few years. If I'm thinking correctly then that should hold true...

Yeah, people are screaming for grads with political science degrees.... In retail sales.... Seriously, what kind of job do you think that would get you? I have a bachelor's and master's in sociology, but I got them after I became a cop. On the job market, with those and 2 bucks I could get a cup of coffee if I wasn't choosy.

If you did get one, it would look better in getting you hired and if at some point you get an assignment involving computer crimes, your department would have no problem sending you to more training. Of course, a degree in poly sci is a lot easier to get than one in computer science too. That's why a lot of unemployed people have one.

[retdetsgt]

Your AA in CJ may help you give more correct answers to the test questions

I seriously doubt even that. Our tests are more general knowledge and aptitude than anything else. Other than a memory test involving looking at mug shots and rap sheets, having them taken away and then handed a test asking specific questions about what you saw, very few questions are police or LE related. We want to know if you have decent vocabulary, basic math, etc. skills. Most C J curriculums I've seen are cute to know, but not that transferable into the real world.

[mcsap]

No offense to anyone but I see a computer degree being useless as well due to the constant changing of the technology world, it would be obsolete in only a few years. If I'm thinking correctly then that should hold true...

You make that statement based on what experience or knowledge ?

I spent 4 years in the military police and 25 as a municipal police officer. We deal with computers and compluter related crimes more and more. There are FEW people good at computer forensics. WHen I took electronic items ( cell phones , gps , printers , pc's etc) to the lab it takes 5-6 MONTHS before I get it back.

FEW departments have their own PC guru and those that do get calls and requests from other PD's. The world of electronic evidence preservation / recovery is BIG and the ONLY way to get a good formal background in that area is a DEGREE.

Or you can get one of those valuable Criminal Justice degrees.

[Rockphc]

Nooo no no that's not what I'm getting at, I appreciate the advice I'm just processing it and I really just meant to see if someone could elaborate. I am by no means trying to put anything down and I do recognize and understand that everyone here aside from others like me know how this field works and thinks. What Isis not understand was what the importance of that degree would be in law enforcement and if it helps me to be more competitive in a field where it is hard to find a job then I am willing to adapt and go through with it. Would psyc or sociology be white noise or is it something to pursue? Or maybe history or business/management?

[retdetsgt]

Think about what kind of job opportunities each degree would get you. Who really cares about history unless you're going to teach it? Business wouldn't be bad, not great, but better than sociology or something like that.

[L-1]

For the most part, possessing a degree does not make you more competitive in the civil service process where I am. Again, you are rated on the number of correct answers you give to questions on the written and oral exams. Those questions measure you ability to perform the duties of the job you are seeking. Just because you have a degree is not a measurement of you ability to do the job. Some of the biggest idiots I have worked with in law enforcement had degrees. Some of the sharpest people I met had GEDs or high school diplomas.

During the oral there will be a portion that scores you on personal achievement and your degree will come into play, but it is a very minor portion. Again, you are putting too much emphasis on putting lipstick on a pig rather than developing actual abilities.

[Rockphc]

Ok I'm learning, to be honest if I don't have to have a 4 year degree then I probably won't UNLESS something happens where I have to move on and find another career. What I'd really like to do is finish my associates and enlist. Ive heard your job in the military isnt important but I've also read from here that it does... That's confusing.

If it doesn't matter then I'd like to do helicopter mechanics or cavalry. I've already got EMT certification and I'm working at a fire department as extra money while going through school and was just curious if I could use it any further.

So what do you think if I finished my degree and enlisted and then just started applying?

[retdetsgt]

Some departments require a degree, but most don't. Mine requires a 2 year degree OR active military service. While college is good and you do gain personally from it IMO, military matures you more.