Possible career in Law Enforcement...

R Dogg 56 · August 17, 2006

For those who would be willing to help...

I recently graduated from NDSU with a BS in Political Science and a Minor in Criminal Justice. Nothing special, since it took me nearly 6 years to complete a 4-year degree, but whatever. Since politics isn't really a positon I want to have, and law school didn't work, I am now looking hard at a LE position, either as a NDHP or a Federal level position as a US Marshal. Both choices, I know, are far from the starting point or whatever "norm" that one would be at if they too wanted to be a cop.

If anyone here remembers my past threads on vehicle choices, then you won't be surprised at my choices for a career. I know, I'm f**ked up like that. Now you see why it took so long for me to graduate, right?

Anyway, would Bill or whomever like to comment on the LE career, and what I could look forward to if I'm lucky enough to become an empolyed LE officer? I can't remember who it was that also did this, but they asked about an LE career, and got some good advice. Hope I'm not wishing on a fallen star.

I'm not going to hold my breath about the responses. Only if you want to. I'll bet this falls on deaf ears/blind eyes/broken keyboards.

Oh well.

Thanks.

99silveradoz71 · August 18, 2006

Well I'm not sure how it's setup out there, but here you have to take the civil service tests for starters. A written, then depending on how well you score, they'll invite a certain percentage or number of the top scoring folks to an agility test. Now these are usually either obstacle courses or runs and strength exercises. I've seen pushups, pull-ups, grip tests, dummy drags, bag(punching type) carry, pushing a cruiser, etc. If you do well there, they tend to do interviews, background checks, a polygraph and that sort of thing. Then depending on how that progresses and if they have openings, you'll go for a physical and psych eval and at least at my place and around here, they give a conditional offer at that point. They had me go through about a 2 week orientation type of deal before starting the academy. Then once I was done there, it was on the road in the field training program, then on your own.

Soooo after that novel, the suggestions I'd make for you would be these. Try to see if you can get on some ridealongs with a few different communities near you. You need to do some research and figure out what position or role you want to have- patrolman, corrections, something else? Also, try to get a feel for the areas you are applying- are they busy or quiet, do you think you want it to be busy and be running or would you rather have it quiet and go find things yourself?

How to make yourself an attractive candidate? Try to put yourself through the academy if you can. This'll save the agency money and save you and them time as you can jump right into the FTO program when hired. Also prepare for the physical agility tests now by practicing the things I noted above or what might be on the tests there. As for the written tests, after testing several times, I found that basically there were about 3-4 different tests by 2 main testing companies, so they got familiar. You can't really study for them as they seem to be general knowledge/high school-ish stuff.

So that's what I've got for now. If some of it doesn't make sense, I'll blame it on watching CMT while typing.

R Dogg 56 · August 18, 2006

Pushing a cruiser? A little drastic, perhaps?

Thanks Bill. I appreciate your help.

BTW: Did you get my PM about this thread's transfer to OT? Just wondering.

Wingnut · August 18, 2006

Go be a spook man. CIA. Even NSA. They've got some cool things happnin'.

Trouttrooper · August 19, 2006

LE can be a very rewarding and fun career. It can also eat you up and spit you out if you aren't careful. There's a reason why cops have one of the highest divorce rates. The most common slump that cops can get into is after dealing with the scum of society all day long and needing to be extremely alert to their surroundings they come home, sit in their lazyboy, remote in one hand beer in the other, and don't want to talk to anyone the rest of the day. That can be hard if you're married. Finding a good non-cop hobby is vital. For me it's welding and landscaping.

I would suggest getting to know some local cops and get some ride-alongs in. Oh, and COPS is not an accurate representation of what happens It's usually 95% boredom + paperwork and 5% adrenaline dump.

Some agencies have very intense physical requirements, some don't have anything. Expect to work rotating shifts. You'll have days for awhile, then nights, etc. Some are 8 hrs, some 10, I've even heard of a couple that run 12 hr shifts (yuk).

OK, after reading what I wrote it sounds really negative. However after having said all that I wouldn't trade in my gun and badge for anything (welllll maybe if someone wanted to give me a couple million dollars I might consider it ). I love doing what I do.

Good luck!!!

HyperBuzzin · August 19, 2006

Most all of you in LE should get the salaries that those guys that play those 'games' called football/baseball/basketball/hockey ..etc... get.

I offer you all the thanks I can for doing what you do.

Thank You !! Your work IS appreciated.

This is for any of the local Boys In Blue I've had dealings w/ in the past....

When I was younger, I'd wished ya would've stayed off my back, but hey, you were doing your job. Ya never arrested me, but took alot of my money in fines, which wasn't you fault, I was the one in the wrong. I still say, Thanks !!

Guilty conscious ?? Could be... Just felt like saying thanks to those that deserve it !!

And R Dogg, best of luck in whatever ya decide to do.

99silveradoz71 · August 19, 2006

Trout hit it right on too, definitely have some interests outside the job. We've got a number of guys at our place that without work, they'd have nothing. Have an escape to take your mind off things so you're not bringing the baggage home and dumping it on the family all the time. When you see the worst all day long, it's easy to develop a negative attitude. But there are also many times when you can't help but smile when things come together or the shift puts in a good team effort on something.

Wingnut · August 19, 2006

This thread makes me want to go speeding.

Trouttrooper · August 20, 2006

This thread makes me want to go speeding.

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It's more fun when you have blue flashing lights and a siren.

99silveradoz71 · August 21, 2006

We picked up a guy on a warrant who was at another department today, and on one of their bikes I saw a license plate frame which read, "Smile, I could be behind you"

General Lee 01 · August 21, 2006

This thread makes me want to go speeding.

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With your rig Wing, I wouldn't be surprised if a change in wind direction made you want to go speeding.

HyperBuzzin · August 21, 2006

With your rig Wing, I wouldn't be surprised if a change in wind direction made you want to go speeding.

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LMAO, good one !

R Dogg 56 · August 21, 2006

I've heard (from COPS ) that quite a few officers have gone through the Armed Forces before hand. Is this something that is necessary or is it just a good thing to have on a resume' or transfer?

I do have a hobby/outside interest..... Modding my truck in the future.

Fwiw, I just recieved an email for application from Bismarck.

And for the responses so far.

99silveradoz71 · August 22, 2006

Military isn't needed. In fact at our place few of the new guys have been in the service. I think the powers that be used to look at military training as a plus as most of the academies were military styled and the new hires were seen as well disciplined. I think if anything is going to help you get hired, it would be already having the academy completed. But of course that's a heck of a sacrifice due to cost and it usually being a daytime thing.

Wingnut · August 23, 2006

We picked up a guy on a warrant who was at another department today, and on one of their bikes I saw a license plate frame which read, "Smile, I could be behind you"

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