Expert: Jim Pastore - 8/31/2004

Question
Jim,

Thank you for your response.  I am 30 years old and a college graduate.  I have been in sales for the past 7 years and really find it unfullfilling. I have experienced many peaks and valleys.  At 25, I owned my own company and was making way too much money for my age. I thought the "gravy train" would never end.  Well after 9/11, my business crashed and burned and I got a job working for someone else.  I never really liked the sales thing but I justified it to myself that it was a means to take care of my family. Well, here I am full circle and am contemplating a major change.  I have always wanted to pursue law enforcement but listened to family and friends that said I would be foolish give up the $ I was making.  Well, at 30, I feel I have come full circle. I have decided that it is now or never and that if I wait a moment longer, it will be too late.  I have been busting my hump to get back in shape.  I have dropped 60lbs and am stronger than I have ever been.

Don't know if all this was too much info...

Also, do you think it would be wise to go to the academy as open enrollment or wait for an appointment?

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Followup To
Question -
Mr. Pastore,

I have been contemplating a career change for some time.  As a husband and father of 3, career changes are not easy.  However, I have decided that I would like to pursue a career in law enforcement.  Any any advise in getting into law enforcement?

Jeff Craven
Answer -
Hi Jeff

    Can you tell me a bit more about you? Your education, military experience and age. This will give me an idea on how to answer your question.

Jim

Answer
Hi Jeff:

       Well, you have some good things going for you. One is your age and the other is a college degree. I don't know where your from, but a lot depends on what the state you come from is like. For example Ohio's Larger Police Departments are mostly civil service, which is a good thing for someone in your shoes. In a civil service dept. you get extra credit on your entrance exam for having a college degree. Which means you could end up with as much as 20% added to your score. This would put you towards the top of the list if you score high. If I were you I would enroll in the Police academy and then apply with some departments. Again it would be to your advantage to apply for the civil service departments. Not only because of the additional percentage but they are better protected jobs and usually better paid also. Most Departments like to hire people who already have their police school in, that way they don't have to train them and they could put that person right out on the streets. The physical agility tests are pretty much standard. Be able to run 2 miles, sit UP's and push ups won't hurt as some departments want you to do them for the test. They give a psychological exam which is pretty standard, and a polygraph exam. A hint on the polygraph, 99% of the departments are looking for honesty not merrily to see if you have ever some weed. In other words be truthful about your answers to their questions. Police work is one of the most rewarding careers one could pursue I feel. I loved ever day I spent as an officer and miss it very much. Remember one other thing Police work is 99.9% talk. In other words you have to be a good communicator and always treat people as you would want to be treated. Never let the badge go to your head. If you remember this you'll do good in the interview process and will likely have a very rewarding career. Best of luck.

Jim