Careers: Police/Police Career

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Expert: - 3/22/2008


Question
Hello, I am an Australian living in Houston and was wanting to switch careers and pursue a job in law enforecement. Here is my situation. Iam 45 years young very fit, currently active with the Army Guard military police, have a green card but submitted my citizenship application in April of last year so Iam in line to get it very soon and have prior police experience in Australia. I also have about 145 hours of study through the US Army and also have about 40 hours of Fema Courses and various certifications for example firearms, first-aid, defensive tactics and much more. I need someone to take a chance on me and give me a shot and dont know who to talk to because of my age and citizenship status. Any ideas or suggestions would be great.
Thanks!
ps I would make a good catch for some department as Iam very dedicated and would not dissapoint anyone who would hire me. Lots of good references!

Answer
Frank,

   I don't see a question here unless you are asking me who should you talk to about your chances of getting hired as a police officer.  

  The law prohibits age discrimination and I have heard of men as old as 48 in some academy classes recently but they did not graduate because of various reasons.  

  The Houston area must have scores of different police departments and I am sure that they all have recruiting offices or similarly named units.  That is who you should talking to but don't be surprised if they simply tell you to apply for their police department and then let the process take its course.  You aren't getting any youngers so don't delay on this.  Get out there next week and get applications and put them in and the hiring process will begin for you.  Don't be surprised if it takes six to nine months for the entire process to run its course.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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