Expert: Loren Stevens - 2/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello!  I am wondering if there is a maximum age limit to become a police officer in the state of IL?  I have no prior law enforcement experience or training/schooling.  What would be the first steps for me to pursue?  Also, do you suggest my going for a criminal justice degree?  Thank you, in advance, for any information you could give me; I'd greatly appreciate it!

ANSWER: Hello Julie,
I don't know with any certainty, on what the hiring criteria is for IL. You can find out, by contacting the state agency that accommodates police certification for the state. Usually, this comes under the executive branch, and most states call it: "P.O.S.T." (police officers standards and training).
Generally, age discrimination court cases have prevailed in city, county and state law enforcement agencies.
Federal law enforcement is a different animal, and generally require applicants not reach their 37th birthday at the time of application or hire. This, is due to mandatory retirement age issues.
I suggest you stop in at the personnel or human resources office, at the agency you fancy, and collect all of their recruiting information, and speak to a recruiter.
Most agencies require a HS or GED diploma. Anything more is a bonus. Even so, you'll need to do well on a competitive civil service test. You might want to bone up on math, and English/grammar etc.
I always suggest you get into good physical shape, as there will be a physical exam, and fitness tests. You'll want to work on your hand and upper body strength, and stamina.
I would also encourage you to review several of the past Q%26A on my site, as there may be information you can derive that would be helpful.
I don't know how old you are, but if you are worried about being too old, I wouldn't want to see you further delay the process by completing a degree program.
If you figure on taking a few classes, fine, but go ahead and jump into the applicant process as soon as you are comfortable in doing so.
Classes to consider, are written and oral communications...you'll not regret it. "Police" stuff, they'll teach you. You are better off presenting skill sets that are valuable, that the agency are not as apt to teach you.
Take up a hobby that has utilitarian value, like firearms, or martial arts is a sound idea.
Get some certifications in First Aid is a good idea.
Do an honest self evaluation: is your driving record decent ? do you have any 'stupid' or avoidable debt? any drug use, or alcohol abuse? any mental health counseling? criminal history? litigation issues? pending legal action?
You get the idea.
During financial hard times, governmental jobs are at a premium...competition is keen. Maybe 10% of applicants get hired, and some of those don't get through the first year.
The demands are quite spirited.
Weight in proportion to height is a good idea. Medical history...any pre-existing problems that would disqualify you?
Along with a written test and background investigation...there is usually a polygraph exam on what you have stated on your application, and what you have uttered in an oral review. Be honest. They are looking for honesty, potential, character. If there is something not attractive in your past, be prepared to discuss it/them..but frame them in the best light, while still being honest.
Be prepared for logical questions in an oral review: could you use deadly force if necessary? WHY do you want to be a law enforcement officer? and with this agency? ..have a well thought out response for questions you can expect to be asked..without sounding canned...AND, use language economy. There is only so much time allocated, so don't be too wordy on any specific response.
You might want to study Constitutional law...Bill of Rights, and focus on the 4th Amendment.
Well, I think this is enough to get you started. Remember, competition is spirited, the most attractive candidate, ie., who can pony up the best/most KSA's (knowledge, skills abilities) or potential, is usually favored.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck.
Semper Fi.
loren

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

QUESTION: Thank you, Loren Stevens, for answering my question so promptly and thoroughly; you gave me a lot to think about!  Fortunately, I have a 100% clean record on everything about which you asked!  Unfortunately, I'll soon be 35.  

You mentioned "classes to consider are written and oral communications".  Don't mean to ask a dumb question, but would these be English, Composition, and Speech?  If not, what would they be?  I took all 3 in college.  Would you suggest my taking them again...or is there anything out there (maybe even on-line) that would better prepare me?

That's good news about the age discrimination court cases, but wouldn't a case against a dept. or state cause them to find another reason to not hire someone?  In other words, I would think it would irate them?

Again, thank you SO much!  You've shed a lot of wisdom and given me a great action plan!

ANSWER: Hello Julie,
Yes, on the communications classes. My point, is to be able to express yourself in a manner that is perceived favorably.
Don't worry about a department being iritated...what irritates a department, is being caught in a blatant violation of labor laws. A judge would probably jump on them with BIG FEET.
No, don't sweat it...just hike up your britches and go after that which you want. And, try not to get tangled up in any distractions along the way. Be careful of being 'bated', as it may just be a way to see how thin skinned you are. In those situations, just ask if the person will clarify their point, for your better understanding.
You'll be surprised, that bullies tend to get a little shaky when asked to reword their pitch.
Hey, 35 years old is nothing to be spooky about..Along with other attributes, recruiters are also looking for maturity. You'll have to admit, that there are lots of folks out there in their twenties, that are not really 'adults' yet, in terms of their behavior, and choices they make.
It might interest you in knowing, that in the agency I retired from, there was a guy who was 50 years old, going to the academy, in an effort to become a rookie police officer, a life long dream.
Clearly, the physical challenges were demanding on him, but damn it, he finished, and the last I heard, he is doing just fine working the streets.
Just try and shift positions, from why you can't, to why you can...and can you will!!
Once a cadet gets to the academy, they need to pass a number of different subjects. But I think the one subject that washes out the most cadets, are field problems. This is where you do role playing with scripted incidents, where you are expected to make the "right" decisions, all the while, exercising safety, and control of your immediate environment.
These exercises are designed to bring your class room studies into a practical reality.
It's "eyes and ears"...don't panic...think, and quickly entertain options.
Example: situations involving the use of deadly force deal with COMPLIANCE...re: Garner v. TN
You won't be expected to do anything you haven't been trained on, or prepared for. Any abstract action thrown at you, just think REASONABLENESS, and solutions will bubble up to the top for you.
Sometimes, there is no good answer, and it may be 'your time'...period. Example, if a gunman starts shooting at you, but you can't really return fire, as behind the shooter is a playground full of kids.....is this all making sense to you, or am I rambling on?
Subject change...I think FEMA and maybe OSHA have free online courses on certain subjects.
It might impress a reviewer that you took the extra initiative to learn about things that concern public safety issues...
You might also make inquiry to the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) to see if anybody has done any research on ....more mature people getting into law enforcement as a career. Problems they experienced etc...just a thought.
Or, maybe the Southern Police Institute, at the U of Louisville...just thoughts.
Study on your own: "rules of evidence" and "laws of arrest'
'...it will be helpful later.
Is it absolute, that the state you want to serve in is there?
You might also consider regulatory positions..there are tons of them, and they have police powers in specific and limited areas.
Hope this is helpful...
Please feel free to let me know if I can be of service. I don't mind at all....
You can also reach me on facebook.
Good luck.
loren

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

QUESTION: Hello!  Thank you, again, for not only responding so promptly to my e-mail, but also answering it so in-depth!  You have given me a lot to think about and many avenues to search!  Thank you, too, for your encouragement!  Yes, I completely agree that people in their mid-30's + are much more mature and actually better candidates!

Okay, finally to my question:  How can I find your Facebook account?  I did a search, but I think I found the wrong person.  Thank you again and again!  God bless.

Answer
Hello,
I am on Fb as Loren Stevens.
There are several of them, but mine has a picture of me and wife..me blue shirt, she with red shirt.
Or, you can feel free to pose any questions you might have for me on: mn9808ak@aol.com

I should have also told you about college courses. Most local and state agencies embrace an education program, where officers on their department are encouraged to take advanced courses. Typically, they will reimburse tuition, after attaining a grade of "C" or better.
This is like a scholarship. And, other attendant costs can be a tax deduction in many cases, as the "training" is job related.
I always liked the idea of a double major, no miner...the difference, is maybe 10 credits?? And it's like having 2 degrees. Nobody will ever inquire, or care what you minered in, at college. Too many "kids" take junk electives, to boost their GPA...a waste of time to me.
And remember, post graduate school...any grade less than a "B" does not count...
But I would caution you, not to think about college that first 2 years. You have much to learn, working between the curbs, and won't have time for much else. If you do have time, which is to say that you have no life other than police business...take some of those free on-line FEMA courses. It's recorded, and a certificate of completion is advanced. It just shows that you are not to be viewed as a "minimalist".
Learn the agency SOP manual very well. To the agency, it is their Bible.
Also, study the labor contract, that the agency and employee group are signatories to.
You need to know the internal rules, as well as the external rules to distinguish yourself,and that is what you want to do.
Learn from old ''salty'' cops. They know tricks and moves that you can only learn from those that have lived it.
Any appeals court case or Supreme Court case that addresses police conduct, you'll want to know more about.
Example: Most everybody has heard about the Rodney King case.....what they don't know, is that Mr. King was struck 66 times by police. Yet, the court ruled that only the last 6 were excessive.....it's about COMPLIANCE, coupled with 4th Amendment stuff.
But first things first.
If you have a specific agency you like, take a good look at it, in terms of how it is managed, reputation of employees etc. When you are fit, put in your app to any of the agencies you have an interest in.
I was born and raised in MN, and I hired on with the Las Vegas Metro PD, and enjoyed a fantastic career.
It's a boom/bust town, but there is more action in the middle of the night, mid week, than some larger cities have all week.
I was interested in the action. Not interested in a town that rolls up at 9, and drunks at Denny's til 3, and rattle doors of businesses all night.
Some folks like it dull. I want LOTS of interesting action to engage in.
And again, agencies like maturity, and they also like the idea of hiring somebody for a career, not a stepping stone.
So....jump in just as soon as you are ready.
Good Luck,
loren