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Careers: Police/age for police academy
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Question
I am a 36 year old female who would like to go to the police academy. I see online that you have to be 35 years or younger but a police officer told me otherwise. What is the correct answer? I live in Orange County, California.
Jennifer,
When you say "the police academy" I don't understand what you mean. There are thousands of police academies. Most large departments (departments with 1000 or more officers) have their own academy and an applicant goes through the hiring process first before they are hired. I can't speak for every department in the country but on my department about 1 in 100 applicants are actually hired. Once they are hired a date is set for the beginning of the recruit class.
A government agency cannot discriminate because of age however they tend to get around that because applicants in their mid-30's or older usually cannot pass the physical and stress test so they are not hired. Our department once had a 48 year old hired and he lasted three weeks in the academy because he could not possibly compete with people half his age.
So basically age discrimination is against the law but you just don't "go to the police academy". You apply, go through a long hiring process, and then if you are hired then you go the academy.
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Answers by Expert:
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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