Anyone have experience of being a Police Officer?

JHuschke · 08-18-09, 04:02 PM

Ever since I was a little boy, I always had a liking to police officers (sheriffs/state troopers) and I have some real good friends that are officers as well. I've already planned and decided that I am definately going to be a sheriff first (for Lee County, Alabama) and then move on to state trooper (Alabama or Georgia)

It is something I would really enjoy, and I've always wanted to "protect and serve" and do the right thing, and enjoy it at the same time. I would like to learn (while I can) what courses and places I should go to learn Law Enforcement at its best and be a police officer with a good education.

I cannot count the numerous times I have had the local police at my house because my parents were so violent..

Nor imagine how many times my friends got pulled over when we are going hunting in Dawson, GA!

FIREWALL · 08-18-09, 04:13 PM

Education is Key. All California CHP have 4yr degree as a requirement.

Good Luck

JHuschke · 08-18-09, 04:29 PM

Heck yeah, when I get out of high school (I'm 11th right now), one more year and I'll be out and studying in Law Enforcement. Here it is two years degree but which one? (Bachelor/Masters/etc) , I was wondering what would be the best place (college/univ/academy/etc) and which courses. Should I be working out after all that studying too? They have some sort-of harsh agility test, pushing patrol car, picking up a 200 lbs fellow police officer and stuff

Platapus · 08-18-09, 04:33 PM

Try to find the book "what cops know". It may be out of print but if you can get a copy or find one at your library, it is a fascinating read.

FIREWALL · 08-18-09, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHuschke

Heck yeah, when I get out of high school (I'm 11th right now), one more year and I'll be out and studying in Law Enforcement. Here it is two years degree but which one? (Bachelor/Masters/etc) , I was wondering what would be the best place (college/univ/academy/etc) and which courses. Should I be working out after all that studying too? They have some sort-of harsh agility test, pushing patrol car, picking up a 200 lbs fellow police officer and stuff

Call the local office of the agency you want to join for their current requirements.

PeriscopeDepth · 08-18-09, 06:28 PM

I randomly bumped into a federal agent a couple weeks ago at work and had a 15 minute conversation about getting into law enforcement (not something I particularly want to do, but was always curious about the kind of background most cops have). Don't recall the whole thing, but I do remember him saying prior military service, a four year criminal justice degree, and fluency in a foreign language (which one depends on where you work) will really help your career along. I doubt it's necessary for local/state law enforcement but he did say quite a few FBI agents have a JD IIRC.

PD

AVGWarhawk · 08-18-09, 06:38 PM

Do you have a local community college that offer criminal justice as a study? I was a criminal justice major and obtained my 4 year degree at the University of Maryland College Park. I'm in the transportation industry and have been since I left college.

Hmmmm...odd. Good luck!

08-18-09, 04:02 PM	#1
JHuschke XO Join Date: May 2008 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 432 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Anyone have experience of being a Police Officer? Ever since I was a little boy, I always had a liking to police officers (sheriffs/state troopers) and I have some real good friends that are officers as well. I've already planned and decided that I am definately going to be a sheriff first (for Lee County, Alabama) and then move on to state trooper (Alabama or Georgia) It is something I would really enjoy, and I've always wanted to "protect and serve" and do the right thing, and enjoy it at the same time. I would like to learn (while I can) what courses and places I should go to learn Law Enforcement at its best and be a police officer with a good education. I cannot count the numerous times I have had the local police at my house because my parents were so violent.. Nor imagine how many times my friends got pulled over when we are going hunting in Dawson, GA!

08-18-09, 04:13 PM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Education is Key. All California CHP have 4yr degree as a requirement. Good Luck __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

08-18-09, 04:33 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Try to find the book "what cops know". It may be out of print but if you can get a copy or find one at your library, it is a fascinating read. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-18-09, 04:29 PM	#3
JHuschke XO Join Date: May 2008 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 432 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Heck yeah, when I get out of high school (I'm 11th right now), one more year and I'll be out and studying in Law Enforcement. Here it is two years degree but which one? (Bachelor/Masters/etc) , I was wondering what would be the best place (college/univ/academy/etc) and which courses. Should I be working out after all that studying too? They have some sort-of harsh agility test, pushing patrol car, picking up a 200 lbs fellow police officer and stuff

08-18-09, 06:28 PM	#6
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	I randomly bumped into a federal agent a couple weeks ago at work and had a 15 minute conversation about getting into law enforcement (not something I particularly want to do, but was always curious about the kind of background most cops have). Don't recall the whole thing, but I do remember him saying prior military service, a four year criminal justice degree, and fluency in a foreign language (which one depends on where you work) will really help your career along. I doubt it's necessary for local/state law enforcement but he did say quite a few FBI agents have a JD IIRC. PD

08-18-09, 06:38 PM	#7
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,255 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Do you have a local community college that offer criminal justice as a study? I was a criminal justice major and obtained my 4 year degree at the University of Maryland College Park. I'm in the transportation industry and have been since I left college. Hmmmm...odd. Good luck!