Expert: Jim Pastore - 4/13/2006

Question
Thanks for the response - that answered a lot of my questions and truly helped me out.

If I could ask a couple of follow-up questions, did you mean that the civil service exam gives credit for a college degree or a postgraduate degree (or both)?  Also, is there a typical time when academies are offered and/or how would I find out when they are?

The point you made about federal positions is something I've looked into and considered.  Unfortunately, I don't think that I'm a strong enough candidate to get into the FBI or most other federal agencies right out of school, so that was part of the reason I wanted to go through the academy and work as an officer while I finish school (i.e. so I could gain the law enforcement experience and the legal training at the same time).  What do you think about this rationale?

Finally, I would probably end up working for a police department in the Cleveland area, so do you have any feeling about which ones are "good?"  Also, do you think that it's better to work for a municipality or a sheriff's department, highway patrol, etc.?

Thanks again :)

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Followup To
Question -
I'm currently erea second-year law student in Cleveland and work for the Public Defender (hopefully you'll forgive me for that :P), but for a number of reasons I'm realizing that criminal defense (and law in general) might not be the right thing for me.

In working in criminal law, I've come to recognize that law enforcement would probably be more what I'm suited for.  Unfortunately, my university doesn't have a police academy, and I've had a number of people give me varying answers as to how to get into the field, so I'm hoping you can be more concise.  In particular, I can't get a straight answer on what the typical procedure for entering the police academy is, i.e. whether I have to complete it before I get hired or whether a municipality will hire me and then put me through.

I also need a more realistic answer on how much police officers in Ohio typically make and what the possibilities for advancement would be.  If I go into law enforcement I would obviously be foregoing a legal career, and I've taken on a decent amount of debt from undergrad and law school, so I need to make sure it's financially feasible.  For the record, I've always lived within my means and my debt isn't outrageous, but I've also always anticipated a career as a lawyer and now I need to readjust my priorities if I'm going to go another direction.  

I've got some idea of a career track I would like to take (either work my way up to detective or try to get a federal position), but again, I'm not sure how realistic this is.  

Finally, I also would like some advice about what the typical time demands on a new officer would be.  Right now I'm planning on taking some time off from law school to go through the academy, then finish law school after I find a full-time position.  Right now I work 9-5, so going to school at night isn't a problem, but I frankly don't know what the typical schedule for a new officer would be and whether I could complete school after I became an officer.

I've read several advisers' comments to other prospective officers, but I haven't seen any responses to someone in a position similar to mine (i.e. finished with undergrad, in graduate school, etc.).  FYI, my undergrad major was in political science and took a number of journalism courses.

Any comments or responses are genuinely appreciated.

Thanks :)
Answer -
Mike,

   First I would finish school and get your degree if you haven't or are not planning to.  Several reasons I say this. One being that in most Ohio Departments you get extra credit on your civil service exam if you have a degree, no matter what field it is in. The second reason someone with a degree and a Police background has an excellent chance of getting into the FBI or and Federal career in Law enforcement.

   As far as the academy goes, most Departments will pay to put you through the academy and also pay you a salary while you are in their academy. Some of the larger departments like Columbus insist you go through their academy even if you are a police officer somewhere else. However some others like Youngstown will take someone with their Police Aced my already done on their own. Some departments look at some with the academy under their belt already as an advantage. As they are not paying you to go to school and can place you out on patrol where you're needed most. Also many departments give 3extra credit on their civil service exams for having the academy.


  I would say the average starting pay for mid size to larger Departments in Ohio is approx. $38,000.00 plus benefits. This could vary up to $3,000.00 per year either way. The average top pay for a Patrolman is approx $48,000.00 per yr. Again some departments may be more some less. Also some departments give extra pay for a degree.

   Once you get hired plan on working afternoons or nights primarily once you're trained. In my opinion those are the best shifts anyway. The retirement is fantastic as are the benefits. And to be honest I would do it all over again if I had the choice. At one point I thought about law school but I know I wouldn't have been happy unless I was in Police work.

  The work schedule is basically a 40 hr work week, sometimes there is overtime not anticipated and there is also plenty of off duty work available. I hope this answered your questions. If not feel free to contact me again.

Best of Luck

Jim Pastore


Answer
Mike,

Most Departments give credit for a 4 yr degree or a 2 yr degree. The norm is 10% for a 2 yr and 20 for a 4 yr. Some also give 10% if you have your police academy and all give 20% if you are a veteran. However the max anyone could get is 20%, so even if you had all of the above you can only get 20%. And the percentage is based on your final score before the % is given. This is important to anyone who is not a veteran. If you don't get the additional % it is difficult to compete with those who do. Without it if you get 100% and a veteran gets 100% he the veteran gets a final score of 120%.

  As for getting into the FBI or a federal agency goes, I was referring to after you spent some time on a Police Department, and having the 4 yr degree. They usually would rather hire someone who has already shown his ability and trustworthiness with a Police Department first. So make sure you keep a clean record while with the PD. No over use of force and all. Just remember 99.9% of Police work is your mouth and attitude. If you remember to treat people like you want to be treated and to not take the job personal you will go far and have a great memorable career.

  To be honest I've worked for Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, the Youngstown Police Department and Boardman Township Police. I would definitely stay away from the Sheriff's Dept as it is too political. I have also learned that a township is more political then a city. I loved my 7 1/2 years with Youngstown Police and would have stayed there if I didn't get custody of my 12 yr old daughter at the time and they didn't have a residency requirement. Cleveland is a good Department; Independence is also a good Department. I'm sure there are others that are good but I can't think of the others in the area I know of right this minute. Hope this helped.


Jim