Expert: Loren Stevens - 11/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mrs. Stevens,
         I have always had the dream of becoming a police officer. I served in the National Guard for 4 years then went to college. I now work for a law firm as a case assistant and have been doing this for the past 11 years. The money is great but I am not happy. I have always wanted to be in Law enforcement like my father was, but my mother has always steered me away from this type of career. I am now 30 years old and I feel like it is time for me to follow my dreams and finally be in the career I want to be in. My questions to you are, am I too old to start a career in the police force? Do you think it is wise to take such a huge pay cut by following my dreams of being a police officer?

Thank you for your time,
Maliaka

ANSWER: Hello Maliaka,
Good questions.
National Guard is good, as I'm sure you experienced discipline,organization and team work there. College is good, as an officer can't have too much knowledge, regardless of what some folks subscribe to.
Working in a law firm has given you an idea of the mechanics of law, and associated structure.
No, 30 is not too old to get into police service. And, I might add that at 30, you are more than "fully growed", to call your own shots.
A rather large slice of police work, is that of making decisions. Sometimes, you have the luxury of doing so at your leisure, other times, you need to expedite.
I gather that you are at a cross roads now, and you probably feel that if you don't do this now, it will forever be an unfulfilled dream.
It all depends on what you want to do the most. Life is all about "choices". Whether you can stand the loss in economics is something I can't answer. Most folks get into police work as a career, or vocation, which is beyond a mere "job."
If wealth is what you seek, police work is not where it's at.
Only you can make that value assessment.
And, if police work doesn't work out for you, I would guess that you didn't burn any bridges when you left your current position.
I know of officers who hired on at 50. It's just tougher when you get older, as the fitness aspect is demanding.
Now with federal police agencies, and there are well over 50 of those. They tend to have a cut off age for hire at 37, as they have mandatory retirement age.
Most city, county and state agencies try to avoid any age discrimination, and just measure you on your KSA's (knowledge, Skills, and Abilities).
So, if you decide to go for it, determine an agency that you'd like to work at. Then go to their Human Recourses office for personnel information. You might also be prudent in talking with a agency union rep, along with an agency recruiter.
Some agencies are just better than others, on many levels. And, many agencies have a web site, that offers an abundance of information.
So, get into shape, stamina, endurance, upper body strength, hand strength.
Be truthful in all aspects of the application. CHARACTER and HONESTY is what is being considered, along with integrity, maturity etc.
I prefer a larger agency, as there is more opportunities.
Hope this is helpful. Good Luck, and Regards.
loren

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Loren,
         I understand exactly what you are saying to me and I must admit that I haven't burned any bridges in my current career. But I know I always have my Human Resource Management degree to fall back on, but I honestly do not plan on quitting or failing when I apply to the Police Department. I know being an officer of the law is what I was born to do. I'm thinking of being a detective or working in the Crime Scene unit. With my background and degree I'm not sure what would be a better fit for me. Do you have any ideas?

Thanks again,
Maliaka

Answer
Hello Maliaka,
I don't know about your assessment on where your education and experience will place you.
To go strictly on that, you'd find yourself buried in the personnel bureau doing applicant backgrounds.......BORING....


OK then, let me offer you some stark realities....You need to prep yourself for the ENTRY level position, with about any agency you can think of.
Ordinarily, that will be for a uniform patrol assignment. Slightly less than 10% of applicants get hired...that's about the norm.
The surviving candidates are challenged, with additional background inquiry, police academy, followed by FTO program (Field Training Officer. This is where a training officer helps break you in, and teach you things.S/he is also charged with doing an ongoing assessment on your progress.
In the academy, some cadets have trouble with the physical fitness aspects, some have trouble with the academic, and some have trouble at the range with fire arms proficiency.
Then, there are a series of "shoot don't shoot" electronic courses. So along with making a decision to shoot or not, it also verifies your marksmanship, if you opted to shoot. So, if the situation was such, where it was the correct decision to shoot, and you actually hit the target in an acceptable place, you will do fine....OH, I forgot to mention, these exercises are also on the clock, and you have seconds or less to make a decision, or, the assumption is, that YOU are on the ground leaking, or toe-tagged.

You will be taught in all this.
Pay close attention to field problems. It's about decisions...force, and options. Verbal Judo, and other skill sets.
Lots of candidates drop out at the field problems stage.
During the academy, you need very little else in your life as a distraction. The days will be full.
As a side note. If there is anything in your personal bearing, or theology, that would prohibit you from using deadly force......Do everybody a favor, and do NOT pursue this career path
Use of force stuff is about all 4th Amendment (U.S. Constitution) stuff. You might want to study some case law and legal decisions, like:
TN v. Garner, and read the majority opinion on the case. just for an understanding.
After a written exam, and you pass....AND YOU WILL!!!
There will be an oral examination.
Relax. I have 3 bits of advice on this regard.
They WILL ask you about use of force/deadly force on your views, and a "what-if"
Figure on that, as they have to know early, if you are calibrated to this issue.
They will ask you Why do you want to be a police officer" This is a legitimate question, and not one you should stumble on...if it's perceived as a head-scratch for you, maybe you are too confused for further consideration.
Then, at the front end or at the last, you'll get a chance to do some open field running.
They'll couch it like " Is there anything more we should know about you, or that you'd like us to know Maliaka in order for us to make an more informed decision"
Ok, You have ample time to put this together...sell it!. Get to the point, highlight important stuff, consider the law of parsimony, and be brief, yet complete. And don't sound canned.
Anyhow, you'll have to distinguish yourself at the entry level, and be off probation before you'll even get consideration for a specialized assignment, or investigations. Each agency is different, but figure on 3-5 years of uniform patrol....It'll fly by!
Well, I've rambled on enough. Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck,
loren