Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/4/2012

Question
QUESTION: I was wondering if you could give me a general idea of my chances as a police officer for BPD and possibly any other agencies in the state.  I know you probably get a ton of questions, can't give me a "oh yes definitely" or "no", but if you could provide some sort of idea, I'd welcome it.

I am a twenty-three year old male with a fairly clean background.  My physical capabilities are good, though not probably as good as someone straight from the military or such (working on it very hard though!); I have a clean background except for one use of marijuana almost years ago (gotta wait), I can pass the entry physical and passed the civil service test, am a good shot with a rifle and not bad with a pistol, and a high school diploma with two college courses and a 4.0 GPA.  I've had a few jobs (Baltimore's economy sucks); however, my most recent job I was at 9 months and separated under very good terms with my previous employer--they went as far as to recommend me to other companies.  While there, I was recommended to become an officer by a retired baltimore police narcotics squad member; I've been told by several officers when asking "you'll do good", "just don't screw up", and, rather humorously, "you have a pulse; if you're dead you can get a medical exemption".  However, I've been told by recruiters and seen on forums about high percentages of applicants not even making it to the academy, of people failing out left and right, of how they only hire 300 officers a year.  And am I going to have a snowball's chance at working as a cop anywhere else if I don't make the cut?

My question is, what are my chances?  How do I look to a recruiter?  How do I make my chances better?  Thanks.

ANSWER: I don't think you look bad at all.  Biggest thing with the BPD is getting through the first steps of the process.  However, if you don't, DON'T despair.  Plenty of people do it several times.

That goes for other agencies as well.  Limiting yourself to JUST one, unless there is some binding reason to do so (family tradition, etc etc), well, limits yourself.  Plenty of agencies are hiring, including Baltimore County last I heard.  Check around, many are 'continously' hiring, like Howard, PG, and Anne Arundel.  Don't discount smaller cities like Annapolis.  There are, if I recall right, about 300 agencies within the state of Maryland, from the State itself, to County, City, and everything in between.   Your goal at THIS point should be to get HIRED.  By whom, not so much.  Once you get that certification and a year or two of experience, THEN you can 'agency shop' if you like.

Best of luck!

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

QUESTION: Thank you so so much!!

I wanted to quickly ask, a lot of the places are asking for 30 college credits or "life experience".  Do you happen to know what type of life experience in particular they're looking for?  or is that just a blanket term?

And thank you again!!

Answer
Blanket term, but typically means something more for 'older' folks applying who've done a variety of different things.  Also means volunteer work type stuff that would show maturity or an ability to deal with stressful situations.   It's a very blanket term but one that can be used to select folks that otherwise may not be qualified for one reason or another.