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Expert: - 11/4/2010


Question
In extension of your remark that you'd hire someone with an English degree first; could you please give advice to
someone with "years" of business-related experience and
education, and has a Master's (or soon will)in CJA? Please
keep in mind, by "years" I am saying, yes, I am over 47-
years. Looking forward to your advice. Thanks!

Answer
Lori,

Thanks for the question.

I would have to go back and research the question and answer to see exactly what was posed and what I said. However, I'll take a stab at it.

Using you for example, I would probably consider you over someone that had no experience, but a Master's Degree in CJA or any other field. I think the point I was trying to make, if I recall, was that having a degree of any sort does not necessarily make you more qualified than those that don't, or that some academic degrees have more value to a specific job than others.

I don't belittle anyone that has a degree of any sort, but some study areas have more value than others for a law enforcement position. I would value a psychological, accounting, social work degree over a CJA degree for a criminal justice position, and I have a CJA Degree, but that is my opinion only, and you know what they say about opinions.

I hope this helps clarify my response and not confuse any more than it had.

Good luck and best wishes!

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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