Anyone Here A Cop?
- Thread starter 91foxbod50
- Start date
Disclaimer:
<---Not a cop.
That being said, I am looking at a career change to law enforcement myself. Most departments won't even look at you until you're 20 years old, as long as you'll be 21 at time of appointment. You can do either the associate's in criminal justice, or military, which can typically substitute for the degree. If it were my choice, I'd get the degree. You'll get a couple of years under your belt with school, meet some ladies, and may even find that your interests shift toward something else. With the military, you're pretty well locked into it until your enlistment is up.
<---Not a cop.
That being said, I am looking at a career change to law enforcement myself. Most departments won't even look at you until you're 20 years old, as long as you'll be 21 at time of appointment. You can do either the associate's in criminal justice, or military, which can typically substitute for the degree. If it were my choice, I'd get the degree. You'll get a couple of years under your belt with school, meet some ladies, and may even find that your interests shift toward something else. With the military, you're pretty well locked into it until your enlistment is up.
Also, once you're in the Military, you're in for a while aren't you? More than two years! I had three friends join the Marines, two of them enlisted for 4 years and one of them was reserve. The two enlisted guys just got out. The reservist is leaving for Iraq 4 and a half years after he joined!
Turkey Sammich
I can't fap normal. I cracked a rib, then my ankle
- Jul 12, 2006
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Military isn't a bad way to go. However, it does have its draw backs. As mentioned before you won’t be able to make your goal of being a cop in two years if you sign with Marines or Army. Also if you go MP (Military Police) some police departments frown upon that because it's like teaching an old dog new trick. It's also been tough for those departments who have reserve and national guard soldiers that continue to get called up for Iraq & Afghanistan.
However, the upside to the military is you could use your GI Bill to do your 2 years for your Criminal Justice degree, and then go off to The Police Academy. You would have a lot to bring to the table if you went that route.
As someone who is currently applying to every PD in my area, get your degree first. Not only do you go in w/ a heads up on all the other recruits, but most PD's pay a bonus if you have a degree & if you have a degree you can be fastracked (depending on the department) to a promotion. Here in Norfolk, if you have a CRJS Degree you can go from a radio car to detective division in under 2 years.
Well here ya go I'm a X-COP I dont have a degree but I did serve in the military. Like it was mentioned above if you do go to the military don't became a MP 
They will hate you while your enlisted and the same when you get out..lol. IMHO try to get on a dept and let them pay for your degree or at least 70% of it. Also ask yourself why do I want to be a Cop? With me I just got fed up with the money, the system, the city....
but in closing if you do follow your dream remember treat everyone fair, think smart, and most of all have a open mind & good people skills.
later
They will hate you while your enlisted and the same when you get out..lol. IMHO try to get on a dept and let them pay for your degree or at least 70% of it. Also ask yourself why do I want to be a Cop? With me I just got fed up with the money, the system, the city.... but in closing if you do follow your dream remember treat everyone fair, think smart, and most of all have a open mind & good people skills.later
MrStang123
New Member
Make sure you have a degree because that always leaves you open for a promotion if you are going to be a cop (In some depts anyway). Also I guess make sure that it is a good paying dept. I debated taking the NYPD exam but they get paid crap for the most part. So I decided I would rather stick with law school.
gtcobra302
Member
I want to work for the sheriffs office in Florida and I am going to finish my bachelors degree in criminology and in a year apply for the job. I figure I will be way ahead of the game and it will get me off the traffic beat and into investigations faster. Plus you will be able to say you have a degree in something.
iLkYsPoNy
if she's a tranny then... well I'd do her.... it..
I'm not a cop either, but I plan on being a State Trooper. I will be enlisting in the USMC in a few months. If you want to join the service, the USMC (not sure on the rest) has a program called "Call to Service" which is a two year active duty enlistment. The only down side is you don't get to choose your job. But hell, you'll be out in 2 years so who cares what you do. Go in when you're 18 1/2 get out when you're almost 21 and go right to the academy. You'll already be in shape, you'll have your firearms experience, and you'll know how to take orderes. It's a win/win situation if that's what you decide to do.
Your best bet is to go get a degree first in criminal justice and/or psychology. Most depts that I know of require a degree or military experience to even be able to take the entrance exam. If they don't than I would get it anyways, as its a huge part of the promotion process. If your 18 now than I would start with your degree, but that doesn't mean you cant try to enroll yourself in a police academy, all depends on how you area operates its academies.
I was a cop for eight years, but before that I was in the Marines for four years. It definately helped maturity wise to be in the Marines. As a cop you are giving a lot of authority and if you haven't experienced a lot of real life situations it can be a difficult job.
My car got me into a little trouble when I started to race my car on the street after our local track meets on the weekends. I was never caught but it doesn't matter with that type of job. I was forced to resign and didn't have very many options of other employment without a degree.
I would suggest college first and then pursue a career. Because you never know if you are going to like it or you just do something stupid like me and have to look for other job.
My car got me into a little trouble when I started to race my car on the street after our local track meets on the weekends. I was never caught but it doesn't matter with that type of job. I was forced to resign and didn't have very many options of other employment without a degree.
I would suggest college first and then pursue a career. Because you never know if you are going to like it or you just do something stupid like me and have to look for other job.
blckstng96
Member
- Apr 13, 2004
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im looking into becoming a cop myself.my situation is a bit diff but i think if funds for schooling are an issue then deff military is your best bet because you get the experience,vets already have a 1 up on a regular civilian in the testing process plus military can pay for your schooling if you decide you still want to do that too.im going to be 25 next month so my plan is to get on a department someplace where associates is not required,get the experience and while working for a dept. also taking online classes to obtain my credits.i was just very indecisive when i was younger,started going to school for criminal justice,decided i didnt want to be in a classroom situation,then went to wyotech for collision/refinishing,chassis fabrication and high perf. engines.got outta school for that,worked in it a bit and realized i wasted my money to say the least haha.i like it as a hobby but not an everyday situation.should went with my gut and stuck it out with criminal justice.i learn the hard way i guess.
My $.02 worth.........Get a degree! Unless you are truly interested in the the military, then by all means do what you want. To be honest, it doesn't even have to be a degree in LEJA or Criminal Justice, just a degree period. Basically, the degree is a box to check when you are getting hired.
I was a corrections officer for 2 years and have been a police officer for the last 3. To my knowledge, not once during any interviews, tests, applications, did having a degree specifically in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration really give me a one up, it was just the little piece of paper....aka diploma.
If you didn't major in Law Enforcement, obviously it wouldn't hurt to minor in it for familiarity or at least take some classes.
Good Luck in your career. Policing is a unique job in that you have to want to do it for the right reasons or you won't feel content. It is an honorable job, but don't do it if you want praise and glory as those don't come often. Usually cops who can't accept that are ones that have what everyone calls the "power trip." On the other hand, it has it's moments when you, and you only, feel like you've actually done something to help someone or make a difference, this is what keeps the good ones going.
Okay I'll stop my rambling as I've gone way past just answering your question..
I was a corrections officer for 2 years and have been a police officer for the last 3. To my knowledge, not once during any interviews, tests, applications, did having a degree specifically in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration really give me a one up, it was just the little piece of paper....aka diploma.
If you didn't major in Law Enforcement, obviously it wouldn't hurt to minor in it for familiarity or at least take some classes.
Good Luck in your career. Policing is a unique job in that you have to want to do it for the right reasons or you won't feel content. It is an honorable job, but don't do it if you want praise and glory as those don't come often. Usually cops who can't accept that are ones that have what everyone calls the "power trip." On the other hand, it has it's moments when you, and you only, feel like you've actually done something to help someone or make a difference, this is what keeps the good ones going.
Okay I'll stop my rambling as I've gone way past just answering your question..
87coupe50
Member
If you decide to go in the military, check with the recruiter and read the fine print. Sure, you might sign up for two years active plus training time for whatever specialty you choose, but it is an 8 year commitment. If you do 2 years active then you'll have to finish the rest in Guard/Reserve or inactive reserve. And with the way things are going you might just get called back after your initial active stint. I originally joined for 2 years and 18 weeks cause I wanted money for school (and I wanted to blow somthin up!!). Here I am almost 17 years later, still in... and can't wait to retire! 
If you decide to go in the military, check with the recruiter and read the fine print. Sure, you might sign up for two years active plus training time for whatever specialty you choose, but it is an 8 year commitment. If you do 2 years active then you'll have to finish the rest in Guard/Reserve or inactive reserve. And with the way things are going you might just get called back after your initial active stint. I originally joined for 2 years and 18 weeks cause I wanted money for school (and I wanted to blow somthin up!!). Here I am almost 17 years later, still in... and can't wait to retire!
Don't forget inactive reserves (8 years). What this means is, if you do two years and get out you are concidered on inactive reserves for 6 years. They can call you back in time of need when they want. The only way out is to do 8 years active duty or active reserve.
I am an Ex-Miltary Police Officer and a current Fedaral Police Officer, and I can say it will help you out greatly to get your degree.
