You are here:

Careers: Police/process of joining police force

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/8/2011


Question
hi, i was wondering the length of time it takes to submit ur application and gettin excepted into police force and gettin a steady job from it? Im asking because i have to take my daughter into consideration , my daughter going to nursery and for me to get a job. thank you

Answer
Hi,

I just found your question sitting in the question pool so whoever you sent it to did not want to answer it.  That would explain the delay.

All police departments are different.  Some smaller departments that are hiring may take only six months or so to do your background, interviews, polygraph, etc. while on a big department it could take a year or longer.  No two departments operate the same.

You mentioned your daughter.  Before you get too interested in this career I hope that you realize that you will be working shift work.  In other words you would be working a week of day work, a week of evenings, etc.  

Let me give you another tip.  Clean up your language skills.  A huge red flag for a police department would be things like "excepted" (accepted), "ur", Im (I'm).  You will have to give writing exemplars and if you normally write like this you don't have much of a chance.

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.