Expert: Loren Stevens - 9/9/2009

Question
I just graduated high school, and now about to enter college... It is my dream to become a high ranked officer but I have no idea where to start. Whether to get a bachelors degree or attend a police training program... or even both? I am confused about the whole process because I don't have anyone in the family that can answer or help me,

please help!
sam

Answer
Hello Sam,
Congrats on HS graduation!
As you might suspect, there are several ways and avenues in which to proceed toward your stated goal.
If your HS career counselor is still available to you, it would be worth a chat.
Colleges where there is a Criminal Justice program, would also had class counselors and academic advisers. All good to chat with.
Human resource and recruiters for a police agency would have some relevant answers for you. Military service with a law enforcement field would offer you another option, and source of information.
The first hurdle you need to address, is to make an honest assessment, on what attracts you to this area of service. What is it that you want out of this career?
What do you have to offer?
I'm a bit puzzled on the aspect of your question on you wanting to be a "high ranked officer".
What is it about those levels that appeals to you?
After about the third level of management, upper police personnel have little to do with field operations. Their job is more oriented toward policy, procedures, inspections and essentially that of a reviewer.
If administration work is what interests you, then you can gear your progress to that end.
To "start", you need to make yourself an attractive candidate for hire. Only about 10% of applicants get hired, and many of those fall off in backgrounds and training.
During challenging economic times, governmental jobs are well sought after, and the competition gets spirited.
Those who can pony up the best/most ksa's (knowledge-skills-abilities) or potential, tend to be favored.
That, and with many service personnel leaving the military, they offer unique experience. They tend to be more disciplined, mature, tested and trained.
Granted, these are generalizations, but food for thought.
For college, you will initially be tempted to take a bunch of police classes.
I would argue against that. I would focus on written and oral communications, and some of the humanities.
With police subjects, you need to understand the 4th Amendment to the Constitution...HUGE.
Remember, also consider that there are thousands of police agencies, local, state and over 53 federal. hen,, there are a ton of regulatory agencies as well.
Determine what you want, why you want it, set realistic and attainable goals, then set up options on paths.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck,
regards,
loren