I'm putting some consideration into a future career in Law Enforcement and I have a bunch of questions. First off, I don't even know how one would go about obtaining such a career. For me, military service is out of the question- I can't leave my family behind for that long, I need to be here stateside. That is a good enough start- any other advice or warnings would be greatly appreciated.
I recently looked into this a lot while I was looking into the military. I can't join the service due to a thyroid condition, and I've since started school, but one day I might join the Sheriff reserves. Your best bet is to get in through the reserves, from what I've been told, unless you go for a full criminal justice or comparable degree. What state are you in? And sorry, I'm not an actual cop obviously, so I might be out of place replying to this.
Your best bet is to talk to your local cops. They can give you an idea as to what your local agencies requirements are. If you meet those requirements, then call HQ and ask where you can apply. For some agencies, best bet is to join the reserves / auxilliary. Some you would be better off joining detentions first. Others just apply to be a street officer right off the bat. Some may require college. Some may not. Dont just limit yourself to the agency (police or Sheriffs) in your city / town / county. Look at agencies in the surrounding area. maybe others pay better or have a better working environment.
In some towns you have to have a college degree, so keep this in mind. I found this out about a year before I joined The Army. Many towns have height + weight requirements, too. It's a proud profession, but doesn't pay shit for the risk they take (especially here in America). I belong to a couple of different police/sherrif associations charities that contribute to legal defense funds for police getting legally railroaded (sued for shooting criminals + so on.)
For da badge and da gun! Most people respect da badge; everyone respects da gun! (Oh, and it's a license to steal!)
They don't want cops moonlighting in BK mini commercials? I think what he meant is height/weight ratio requirements.
And in some places, that doesn't matter after you're certified. The Alabama Peace Officer's Safety and Training Commission (APOSTC), the accrediting body for every peace officer in the state, has no ongoing requirement. On the first day of the Academy, you must pass the physical agility and ability courses. As far as POST is concerned, if you pass then you never have to worry about it again. However, the higher paying and thus, more selective employers do care. I know the Montgomery, Birmingham, and Hoover (the highest paying LE agency in the state) PD's all have yearly physical fitness requirements. There is decent money to be made in Law Enforcement, but you'll work in shitty places. A buddy of mine used to be in MPD's motor scout unit. His last year there, he made $80,000 after overtime. But, he had to work in Montgomery, possibly the most dangerous city in the state. He got out of there as soon as he could. He took a pay cut last year when he went to work for the ABI.
Which is always hilarious. Demand that recruits be physically fit but then you look around at the agency (and the instructors teaching the recruits) and damn if a large portion of them are not meeting the standard they demand you meet to get the job.
Locust, Just go apply. If you do get in put your social life on hold. Most academies are very tough test wise. Failing one test may get you the boot from the academy depending on what test it was. (most of the time you get on retake for one test; fail a second test and consider yourself gone)
Could be several reasons....it's a very, dangerous, physical job. And perception is reality.....a tiny cop would constantly be tested....some unruly thug would be much more likely to try to overtake a smaller, weaker cop than a big cop. It's basic psychology. Anyway, when I lived in Arizona some Mexicans trying to become cops were trying to sue the police department because they thought the height requirement discriminated against Mexicans, since many are pretty small. There are some police departments that have strict bodyfat requirements, and even hair + mustache regulations, just like the military.
