Expert: Loren Stevens - 12/6/2010

Question
im a 21 year old army infantry combat vet. the only thing iv ever known to do in life is help people by protecting them. after watching too many of my friends die i got out of the military and came home. i thought my thirst to help people had been quenched in the service but now that im home and i see all the crimes and dangers in my town i can no longer fight my desire to protect. i dont just want to become a police officer i need to be one. im very trained highly motivated and extremely dedicated. but in my experience it is never a good idea to go into a job blind. i always scope out the perimeters of a task. my task now is to become the best officer possible and one day a detective. iv tried looking every where online for a simple study guide of general study knowledge but no success so far. in my days as a team leader we judged are new guys on how fit they were and there common knowledge like weapons, sop, and procedures. i just need to know what to study and memorize so i can begin my journey before i try to be a officer. i want not only to be above the lower bar for new people but i want and am capable of setting the standers bar of all level of officer. i plan on studying these things while in college.weather its codes or acronyms i would love to learn it first. i have changed my degree from electrical engineering to criminal justice. i will also learn Spanish and any other languages i can fit in my schedule. if you have any idea of where i can get this information for me to study or if you know where i can obtain this info i would be more than grateful. as my 2 year old gets older every day i cant help but think what kind of world im sending him out into and what im doing to protect him in it. please if you can help or point me in the right direction it would help so much. i don't want to go in blind, i don't want just a paycheck for being a cop. i get enough money from the VA. i want this as a passion and as a servant to the people of my community. i am not looking for glory or praise. im not looking for recognition from any one for the good i will do. i have done many great things for my country that no one will ever know and i couldn't care less because i know at the end of the day that im a good person for it, and that's the thirst i cant quench. i don't care if i have to sit in a patrol car for ten or twenty years as long as one day i can make a safer place in my community. im no sure how you may see this or how you may perceive me or my mind set but even if this sounds corny or ridicules but this is how i think every second of every day and i need to get the ball rolling. please help me.  

Answer
Hello Matthew,
First, thank you for serving the country in the military.
Secondly, I appreciate your thoughtful views on a law enforcement career, and recognize your passion for police work...that said, I would also say that you should confine your passions to the parameters of the job. If you go into police work with a "crusader" attitude, you'll get frustrated and probably start behaving extralegally.... Remember, that as a police officer, you come under the executive branch of our government. The legislative and judiciary branches are separate, and do not involve your action, under most circumstances... Some young cops get confused with those necessary separations.
For college, I encourage students to consult with their academic adviser, about going for a double major, no minor.
Any time you can enhance your written and oral communications skills, it will serve you well.
Also, consider a personal assessment, by professionals, to ascertain if you are suited for police work. Sometimes our passions are not calibrated to our other wherewithal.
I suggest you get as many first aid certs as you can. Get some of the certs in the free FEMA on line courses...(emergency management).
There are all kinds of text books on "Laws of Arrest", "Search and Seizure", and "Rules of Evidence"... These are biggies... Remember, that many/most police stuff is usually in proximity to the Constitution in general, and Bill of Rights in specific... The 4th Amendment is HUGE in police work...learn it well.
While I'm thinking of it, "Use of Deadly Force"...in civilian police service has specific limits, much narrower than the military... Learn TN v. Garner...and any dissenting views... These are the restrictions and important.
Military "search and destroy" varies from civilian "seek and seize"... Bandits are not to be viewed as "enemy"....just suspects.
I would also invite you to review some of the past Q&A on my page, as there will be info that may interest you in those writings.

Take a visit to a few agencies that interest you, and collect their recruitment info, ask questions, speak with a union rep for additional input. Try to determine the attrition rate etc.
Know that a typical agency hires 6-8% of applicants. Don't figure on any college those first two years, as you will be much too busy, and have a lot to learn. After you are off of new hire probation, is a good time to return to college...typically, most agencies reimburse tuition, with grades earned of "C" or better. It's a nice boost, to go with your GI Bill benefits.
Also, don't expect a shot at a special assignment of Investigations, prior to being off probation. And, you'll be expected to distinguish yourself at the entry level position.
Stay fit, focused, and avoid any behavioral choices, that would inhibit your career opportunities.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck,
Semper Fi,
loren