Expert: Loren Stevens - 5/16/2006

Question
I would really like to pursue a career as a SWAT officer. But from reading past responses I saw that you cannot pursue a career due to pysical abilities that decrease with age. I have a few questions though...
1) Every time I try to research Criminal Justice degrees all I come up with are online colleges. Are there any colleges you know of where I can obtain one of these - and do I get a bachelor's degree? I'm confused as to the process you have to go through before becoming a SWAT officer. Is it better to be a police officer, then do something like the marines, then become a SWAT?

2) Are there seperations between male officers and female officers? I was researching training for a SWAT officers and on one page it said, "Female Officer Training," and it was apart from the SWAT training.

3) My mother objects to my career choice, claiming that it's a "waste of my education" and that I will make little money. Do police officers on average make as much as a teacher? Or more? Or less? Is it a career in which I would have to live frugally?

4) What is the span of a SWAT officer's time? For example, do students obtain their bachelor's degree at 21, become a police officer, then at, say, 28 become a SWAT officer? And if they do retire from it early, must they then go back to school and choose an entirely different career? Or should they obtain credits for a seperate career while they're obtaining credits to be a police officer, in advance?

5) I want to pursue this career, something like a SWAT officer. Is this the best choice, or will this be somewhat of a waste for me? Are the navy seals similar to this, where they must retire early?

Thank you very much for your time, if you do answer my inquiries. -Ashleigh

Answer
Ashleigh,
Well young lady, you ask alot!
I'll try to make sense of the answers, and commingle my opinion in with it all too.
With rare exceptions, SWAT is NOT a career. It is a specialized assignment within a broader career, ie., law enforcement.
It is also a better fit for younger officers, except in the supervisory and command positions. This is not a rule per se, but a practical reality. The VAST majority of SWAT time is oriented toward training. Due to the physical demands of much of that training, and the repetitive nature of that training, boredom and "burnout" tends to be a factor for leaving that unit.
Most good sized agencies have a swat unit. The smaller ones, it's a part time gig, the larger ones, it's their full time assignment. Several fed agencies also have a swat unit.
The "decreasing physical abilities" you speak of, will not likely be the reason you would want out....although it could. If a person was committed, they could stay fit enough well into their 40's, and maybe into their 50's. Plus, there are sub units within swat that could also be fulfilled eg., sniper, chemical munitions, instructor etc.
I know of no agency, where you wouldn't have to prove yourself first as a uniform police officer, of field agent.
Any prefered or specialized assignment will require that, and you'll have to distinguish yourself there first. Then, it gets very competitive, as there are several officers that try out for these various assignments.
The more you can bring to the table, to make yourself a more attractive candidate, the better the odds of selection.
SWAT commanders and agencies don't get into the "games either eg., diversity, equal female representation, minorities et al. Selection NEEDS to be based on pure ability, skill, and collective wherewithal. Anything less, would put the unit in peril, and reduce the likelyhood of mission attainment.
So, my counsel to you, is to love law enforcement first, as you will spend more time at that, than in a specialized assignment.
Female swat officers, REALLY need to enhance their upper body strength...that's a given.
A college degree is not a prereq. to being assigned to swat. And yes, a competing officer who has had infantry training and the discipline of the military would in most cases have an advantage when going for selection. And, those who are former Navy SEALs, Marine RECON, Air Force Commandos, and Army Special Forces (Green Baret) would in most cases have an advantage over ALL others...generally.
But there are ways to get there without that too.Depending on the size of agency, attrition rate of swat etc.
For hobbies, do repelling, upper body building, rock climbing, firearms training. Join a gun club, and do all the training and practice: handguns, revolvers, and semiautos, shoulder rifles, shotgun (trap/skeet) etc.
Skills in such areas would make you a more attractive candidate.
Most decent sized communities have a community college that will offer a criminal justice degree...usually an AA orAS 2 year degree.
This is fine, as it costs about 1/2  to attend a community college, compared to a state university.
My counsel, is to attend the community college first, and MAKE SURE that ALL classes you take will transfer to a 4 year degree at a university or 4 year college. Stay away from "bunk" classes like basket weaving etc. People take them to bolster their GPA, and end up with crap that won't transfer....useless.
Use electives wisely...writing labs, and speech classes. In a career, you'll make MILLIONS of reports, and you'll want to be a good speaker for court, grand juries, public talks, media etc.
Further, I tell young people to go for a double major, NO minor. The difference is est 9 or so credits. This is like having 2 BA/BS degrees, of equal strength. And, take these two majors that complement each other eg. criminal justice/sociology, or pre law, or psyc, or counseling etc.
Now, unless your family is very affluent, for all your college expenses, consider getting a job at the police agency you like as a civilian employee. If you are a youngster, go for cadet, courier, or what ever they have. This starts your seniority clock (that you'll appreciate later) it gives you a perspective as an "insider" on the agency. PLUS, most agencies will reimburse an employee for college courses taken that renders a grade of a C or better. The logic, is that the agency derives an enhanced employee in many ways by investing in that employee.
The training for officers, including swat for men and women need to be the same, for operations calibration.
The seperate training you spoke of, may have something to do about a specific matter(s), that would make sense to do? without more information on it, I'd only be speculating..
I won't get into a dispute with you and your Mother...I'm sure she has your best interests at heart.
Police work and swat work is dangerous stuff, no doubt about it.
If this is not a passing fancy of yours, I'll bet down the road your Mother will try to help you where she can....even if she does not like your choices....you have a caring Mother.
The Pay for police depends on what agency, and where. The bigger agency, usually has better compensation.
Like where I am, we have a university with a 4 year degree in CRJ at UNLV, and a progressive police agency that is one of the best in the country...by anybodies measuring stick. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Punch them up on their web site, and it will list the pay. You'll find the most places, cops and fire make more than teachers...which doesn't make it right...but a fact.
If you enter ANY field in public service, you will not make the pay as in the potential of civilian work. I don't know about "frugally" but you'd want to not be stupid about spending habits......live within your means.
I'll have to pass on you question #4. Too many variables, and I've already answered some of these issues.
Nobody HAS to retire early...unless there is a medical reason, and the employee can still perform, they can proceed.
also have a friend in the SEALs, and the same applys there. As long as you can cut it, you can continue.
My advise to you, is look long and hard at the BIG picture. SWAT is but an assignment, NOT a career.
Do more research, stay in shape, and focus on what's really important...
This should be enough for you to ponder.
Good Luck, hope this is helpful.
loren