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Expert: - 5/3/2006


Question
Hi,William my name is Jeromy Newman i'm 17 years old and trying to learn more about law enforcement,I live in North Carolina,I have droped out of high school but planning on going to a community college,would i stand a chance in law enforcement? and how would i get in to law enforcement?         
       


                              Thanks,   
                                  Jeromy

Answer
Jeromy,

First priority, finish your education. Since you have dropped out of school, get your G.E.D. All law enforcement agencies require at a minimum a G.E.D. or high school diploma, and a lot now require college credit hours or a degree.

While attending courses, try to get your feet in the door by joining a Police Explorer Post or Police Cadet program. I am sure there are some in the North Carolina area. Most agencies in the United States will not hire prior to your 21st birthday, there are a few states that hire prior to that, but it is very few. You can also do volunteer work at a police department to show the law enforcement agency your interest in pursuing a career.

Get books, periodicals, journals, or subscriptions to different law enforcement magazines to read about what is going on in the field of criminal justice. Someone that is more informed and knowledgeable about their particular field of interest is a more desireable recruit.

Stick with it and I am sure you will make it, but finish that education.

Thanks for the question.

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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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