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Careers: Police/Age to join the Police Force

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Expert: - 7/10/2007


Question
Hello Jack Toomey, my name is William Phillips. I am 19 years old, and just a day away from taking the test to joined the Armed Forces of the United States Army National Guard. I am confident that I will be an MP.  While I am in training, I aim to get as much training as I can, and I am currently talking with my recruiter about getting my tuition paid to get my Associates degree in Criminal Justice.

I hope to be a police officer when I get out. I love the idea of protecting people and I have done so in various ways with my friends through out my life. I am very calm when it comes to stressful situations. I don't easily lose my head.
My question however, pertains to the age of joining the police force of a given unit.

Recently my girlfriend moved to a district just outside of Chicago. I want to try and get a job near her once I get out of training so that we can see each other again. But the age requirements I've been seeing require you to be 21 or at least 20 and I just turned 19 the 8th of this month. Is there anything I can do in this situation?

Answer
William,

  I am not aware of any police departments that will allow someone under the age of 21 to be a sworn officer.  However, as you might suspect, there are thousands of departments in this country from two man departments in rural areas to the NYPD with over 25,000 sworn officers.  I have heard that some departments will allow someone to enter the academy at an age less than 21 but they must be 21 on the day of graduation.  So you see there is no uniform policy.  I'm sure you are itching to get started but think about it this way.  You have the rest of your life to be a police officer so the time will come.

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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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