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Careers: Police/College vs Military

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Expert: - 12/19/2006


Question
What do you consider more important as far as getting experiance and a job as a law enforcement officer? A 4 yr college degree or 4 yrs in the military?
thank you
serg

Answer
Sergio,

Thanks for the question.

There are pros and cons with either choice. I have several academic degrees and they have helped me tremendously in some areas of my career and none in other areas.

The military is a great place to gain some worldly experience as well as an education. The military will help pay all or most of your expenses for college. If you can get into the military police that is another great way to gain some law enforcement exposure and training.

I don't know if I can give you a definitive answer to your question. I have never been in the military, but I grew up  as a military brat and I live in a military town, and I have seen men and women police officers have both a college degree and military experience.

If I had to do things over in my career, I would have probably joined the military and enjoyed the experience/ training and let them pay for my education.


Best of luck!

Careers: Police

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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