Expert: Jason Grabill - 5/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: okay I'm 19 years old and I'm in the united states army. in the army i am a cavalry scout. now i have two years left before i have the option to stay in or get out. i was wondering if my army training will help me get into law enforcement when i come home. i chose to ask you this question because i also live in Maryland. thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Scott:

  Yes, the training will help.  Police agencies are eager to hire folks with prior service military backgrounds, esp. if you have overseas service.  You will stand a better chance with most departments than someone with a college degree in CJ.  

 What area in Md are you from, and what agency are you looking to get into?  BTW, 2 years out is about right to start looking, and preparing.  You'll want to have an academy lined up as soon as you get out.  

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well i'm from Baltimore, Dundalk.. not the best place in the world but i have to deal with what i got handed to me. i was kind of looking into going to the swat team but from what i hear you have to be on the force for a while before you can do that. and even then its hard to get into. so how do i go about preparing now? i just want a good life after the military and i want to start thinking about it now.

Answer
Scott:

  Nothing says you have to actually police there!  Plenty of other agencies and opportunities are around the area.  And, yes, nobody hires 'right off the street' for the SWAT teams, you have to be a regular police officer for some time and then try out for the unit.

 My suggestion as to preparation is, if you can, start reading as much as possible about law enforcement, including the ARCO series of testing manuals (available online or at any decent bookstore, even the library).  Cops write far more than most people think, so if possible, take some English, Creative Writing, Journalism, type classes.  They will help more than you think, I assure you.   A typing class wouldn't hurt, either.  

 Check around the area, just in Baltimore, there is the City PD, County PD, Md Transportation Authority (MdTa) police, Howard County police, Carroll County Sheriff, etc etc.   Lots of opportunities out there.   Including Maryland State Police if you want to go that route.

Jason