Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/18/2006

Question
Thank you for the help! I'd like to ask a few more questions if you dont mind. I  opted for a general discharge for that very reason, I do not draw any type of disability from the military.  I figure that would hurt any attempt for a future career.  Will some police departments hire without a criminal justice degree of any sort or should i just go ahead and take a online course or something?
Lastly, what agency do you work for (if you can say)?  I've very interested in the FBI, but I dont have the time nor money for 4 years of college at this point.  Can federal agencies pick you up from a current tactical team even if you dont have the college experience?  Once again I'd like to thank you for your time, I'm just trying to hit every angle so I can start my career asap.  I figure if I have to do the schooling, ill keep working out and getting in the best shape possible..I love working out and the physical aspect is one of the things I love about the swat career.  Take care Jason, and thank you again.

regards,
Brandon
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Jason,

I have wanted to become a police officer for some time now, and I finally got the big spark to push me into it.  I'm currently 22 years old, spent a few months in the Army, before being discharged with a injury.  My main interest in police work is being accepted and earning a position on a SWAT team.  This is my dream and I'm willing to do anything to get there.  I guess what I'd like to know is, the process to become a police officer and getting a shot at SWAT, as well as benifits etc.  I would really perfer a bigger city department so I can get on a full time entry team.  Any insight you can provide would be very appricated.  Thank you for your time.

-Brandon
Answer -
Brandon:

  First and foremost, if you were discharged from the Army for an injury, and you are still drawing disability of any kind, most PD's will not hire you.  Simple as that, fair or not.  They will be concerned that you will re-injure yourself, and they will be liable for your injuries, and long term disability.  If you are not drawing any payments, you will still have to prove to them that you can pass all the physical requirements;  even then, there will be some issues as to hiring.  You might try the Federal gov't agencies, but expect them to ask the same type of questions.

 Very few places allow you to go right into SWAT, usually you have to do some time on the 'street' in patrol, prior to competing for the position.  Again, SWAT is extremely physically demanding, requiring a higher level of fitness than regular patrol.  

 That's the bad news I'm afraid.  The good news is, some federal agencies, including mine, do hire SWAT officers direct "from the street";  however, the pre-requirements are usually prior service SWAT in some agency, either civilian police or military.

 Check out the website www.usajobs for federal employment;  you can also search for agencies near you by googling their name, such as "City of Los Angeles Police", or something along that line.  Their websites almost always contain a wealth of information about the department hiring process, including allowing you to apply on line.  

 By all means, ask another question if this doesn't help or you want more info.

Best Regards,

Jason

Answer
Brandon:

  The General discharge will require some explaining when you do the background investigation.  Many agenices specifically state "Honorable Discharge".  While your discharge may have been "General, under Honorable Conditions", it's still going to require lots of information on your part.

 A CJ degree is not all that it's cracked up to be.  Basically, you are paying to take a course that the Police academy will give you for nothing.  If you want to get a degree, get one in either a technical field (IT, Engineering, etc) or English.  Writing is a major skill that you will use every single day in one form or another.  Take as many English, Journalism, and writing courses as you can.  You'll use the pen far more than anything else you carry.  The majority of departments don't require college of any kind, so it's not a mandatory requirement.

 I work for the Department of Army Police at Fort Detrick, Maryland.  We do hire "off the street" for our SWAT team, (called SRT), but your resume must reflect that type of service either in the military or as a civilian police officer.

  The FBI won't even consider you unless you have a 4 year degree in Accounting or Law.  www.fbi.gov should be able to answer your questions concerning them.  

 Good luck!

Jason